The seahorse is an endangered animal found in shallow seas all over the world. There are around 36 different species of seahorse, but they all symbolize similar things. Seahorses are protective and helpful animals, and they are fiercely loyal to their own.
While they may not be the strongest swimmers, they have very tough bodies that can withstand the roughest of waters. Because of this, many people find deep spiritual meanings and symbols from their nature. Read on to find out what these are!
Seahorse Spirit Animal
To have the seahorse as a spirit animal means that you need to take a step back from your current life. Don’t remove yourself from it altogether, but you do need to gain a new perspective.
This is easier than you think! If you feel like you are hitting a wall, it may be because you are just too close to it. Move away from the problem and an alternative solution will present itself very soon.
The seahorse may also be necessary as your spirit animal if you are wearing yourself thin because you are helping others so much.
The need to be of assistance to all that need is will always be dominant for someone that channels the seahorse, but there’s only so much you can do before your own resources are affected. How are you expected to make other people better if you yourself are suffering?
It’s okay to take some time to recharge. This doesn’t make you any less selfless a person. Once you are fully taken care of, then you can start to look out for others again. You will be much steadier for it.
Seahorse Totem Animal
Those with the seahorse as their totem animal will always help others. They don’t think twice about it; other people’s needs will come first, which is often to the detriment of their own wellbeing.
They wish to protect young and vulnerable people in particular, and this protective nature is one of their defining traits.
A seahorse totem indicates that someone has a gentle strength and that they will use this power for good. They are calm, and serenity is their superpower!
Seahorses have a huge amount of consideration for those around them, and they will always treat others with respect. Manners and courtesy are a huge part of what makes them who they are.
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Seahorse Power Animal
The seahorse as a power animal will teach you how to gain inner peace. It is natural to feel frustration and anxiety build inside you at times, especially when life around you is incredibly stressful. You may even find this frustration escaping you, so you may do things that aren’t in your nature.
Learning how to balance this stress by balancing it with peace is a huge strength, and one everyone should seek out.
As well as this, the seahorse can provide great support if you are going to become a dad/parent. Seahorses are brilliant guides for parenthood, particularly those who are about to become fathers because it is the male seahorse who carries children.
If you feel you need something to help you navigate this next stage in your life, look to the seahorse for strength and support.
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Seahorse Celtic Symbolism
For the Celts, the seahorse represents fatherhood. This is because the male seahorse gives birth, so it is no longer a female responsibility to carry children.
However, it is also associated with strength and power, as well as the sea Gods. This is because some mythology had the seahorses leading the Gods through the water world. It was also believed that the seahorse could change its appearance/shape at will!
This took a slightly more sinister turn because they assumed it to be a type of lake monster. Some stories even described the seahorses in a similar way to how sirens would be described – that they would lure humans into the water and eat them.
Seahorse Dreams
It is thought that the seahorse has a huge resemblance to the human brain. The origin of the word ‘seahorse’ stems from the Greek words ‘hippos’ and ‘kampos’, which put together create ‘hippocampus’.
Interestingly, the human brain contains two hippocampi (a part of the brain, not a seahorse). However, these parts do look like small seahorses!
This is why it is believed that the seahorse has a connection to a human’s way of thinking – if it appears in your dreams, it may be telling you that there is an issue with your learning abilities, your emotions, or even your memories.
The first interpretation of seeing a seahorse in your dream is that you may want to focus on strengthening the relationships you currently have, whether they are romantic or platonic.
Seahorses are known for being incredibly invested when they are trying to ‘romance’ a potential mate, even doing a ‘pre-dawn’ dance to entwine themselves with this partner.
If the seahorse appears in your dream, you may need to put more effort into your partner’s needs and make sure they are being nurtured. If you are not currently in a relationship, focus on your friends and family! Check on them, ensure they are being cared for.
Another meaning could be that you need to be more aware of what is happening in your subconscious brain.
There may be some underlying feelings about a situation you haven’t yet acknowledged, or maybe you need to embrace a different perspective. Consider what other outlooks in life you could embrace!
Far Eastern Seahorse Symbolic Meanings
In Traditional Chinese medicine, it was believed that the seahorse could cure many ailments if it was consumed. However, the seahorse is now considered an endangered animal, so this practice is no longer continued.
Seahorse Tattoo Meaning
Those with a seahorse tattoo want to embrace all of the magic in their life. As a symbol, it carries a lot of luck. If you want to manifest good intentions and joy, the seahorse is a brilliant place to start.
Some men decide to get a seahorse tattoo when they have kids because it is the male seahorse that carries a baby. They identify with this symbolism because it is said that it can encourage a closer connection with a child.
Another meaning is that it is a way of embracing your ‘otherness’. Everything about the seahorse is different than the ‘norm’ we are used to, particularly in its appearance, its way of reproducing, even in the way it goes through its life cycle.
However, the seahorse is never deterred by its difference – it thrives on them! So, the seahorse as a tattoo is a reminder of courage. It reminds you to be bold in your choices and your way of life and to not let anything stop you from achieving happiness.
Finally, as a water animal, the seahorse is a fluid symbol that will help you guide yourself through the rough seas, navigate through winding rivers, and even help you brace the calm waters before a storm. It essentially is there for you through the waters of life.
You have to acknowledge your feelings, no matter how tumultuous they may be! Let others know what is going on with your emotions, don’t be afraid to open yourself. Other people will be pleased to see you being honest, and this will encourage them to do the same.
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Seahorse Spiritual Meaning
Seahorses are brilliant for teaching us how to create a balance in parenting. It is not simply the maternal role that is involved in raising a child, but the paternal figure has just as much of an influence on a child’s development.
This means that the seahorse can teach us how to get in touch with the Masculine Divine – one half of the human soul that is often overlooked when it comes to parenting.
Every human has both the Masculine Divine and Feminine Divine energies in them, but they are both often channeled in different areas. People don’t let these two energies work together. The seahorse helps everyone to embrace the Masculine Divine in a nurturing environment, such as parenting.
Seahorse in Astrology & Zodiac Signs
In Primal Astrology, the Seahorse Zodiac Sign is found under the sun sign of Cancer. Those born with the seahorse as their sign are incredibly good at protecting both themselves and others from danger.
As creatures that are constantly having to save themselves from being swept away, the seahorse is very survival-based. They will do whatever is necessary to stay alive while protecting others, even if this stops them from reaching an end goal.
While an individual with this sign may be seen as different, they do still crave acceptance. It is important to look past any tough exteriors, or shields, as they are incredibly giving people that will support others without hesitation.
They rarely discuss any of their own problems but are always willing to listen to others. You will get some brilliant advice from them!
Seahorses are independent and self-reliant. It is rare for them to accept help because they don’t want to appear like they are struggling or incapable.
However, this independence will often give them the courage to succeed in the world – sometimes far more than others who do have plenty of support.
Something to be cautious about is that this self-reliance can be quite damaging. Too much time alone will make it difficult to get a healthy balance in their lives, causing frustration and anxiety.
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Hawaiian, African & Greek Myth Symbolic Meanings
In Hawaii, it is believed that the seahorse symbolizes eternal friendship. This is because seahorses are, for the most part, monogamous animals. This means that they will breed with one other partner – for at least one breeding season.
Beyond that, they may move on to another partner, but this is still far more eternal than other creatures.
Seahorses are featured quite frequently in Greek mythology. In some tales, they were thought to provide safe passage for a human soul on the trip to the underworld. This was either through souls riding on their backs or by humans riding in a wagon that was pulled along by a seahorse.
It had also been found that the people of Ancient Greece thought the seahorse was a magical creature that resembled the mythical mermaid because it was ‘half fish’ and ‘half horse’.
The mythology states that the seahorse should actually be the descendant of the horses that pulled Poseidon’s wagons through the sea.
Australian Seahorse Symbolism
Interestingly, the seahorse is incredibly meaningful to many Australian people – particularly the Torres Strait Islanders. Similar to other mythical beliefs, they believe the seahorse to be a symbol of luck and good fortune.
It is also believed to be symbolic of strength and power, which matches the seahorse as a totem animal. Because the Indigenous people of the Torres Strait are seafaring people, most sea imagery features very often in their stories and art – especially the seahorse.
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Seahorse Symbolic Meanings
Patience and Languidness:
The seahorse represents taking a moment to appreciate what you have in life, and where you can improve certain situations. There is nothing wrong with waiting. Staying still for a moment can be incredibly helpful – especially if you are struggling. Seahorses are languid creatures and they thrive in this state. Relax, and notice the good things around you!
Protection:
Seahorses have an incredibly tough shell and a boney nature, with a strong tail that helps them to remain in place if the water gets too rough. This well-built exoskeleton is a symbol of protection because they are particularly good at looking after themselves when things get tough. If we are seeing a seahorse in our own lives, maybe we need protection from something – it is telling us to watch out for external factors trying to harm us.
Perspective:
It is difficult to create a healthy balance between work, relationships, and just looking after yourself. You may find that one of these parts of your life becomes too engaging, or maybe you are struggling with how to navigate a particular situation in them. The seahorse is symbolic of gaining a new perspective that will help us achieve a rewarding balance.
Generosity and Helpfulness:
Seahorses are constantly looking out for others that need help – it is what makes up their nature. From this, we can learn what it means to help others without expecting anything in return. Compassion is a huge strength of character, and the willingness to help others will help you lead a fulfilling life.
Magic and Luck:
A huge number of cultures and myths have the belief that seahorses are magical, and will bring good luck to those that see one. For example, sailors used to keep an eye out for seahorses if they were going to sail in rough seas or travel through big storms, as it was believed that the animal would ensure their safe passage. As well as this, divers view the seahorse as a symbol of luck, and it is often found in diving club crests.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the seahorse is a perfect symbol for those with unwavering loyalty and protective nature. They may not be in a rush to achieve things, but they enjoy the journey and learn how to find pleasure in the smaller elements of life.
Seahorses provide a huge mythical meaning to many cultures, and their strong bodies and unique reproductive system ensure they are admired around the world.
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