The symbol of the wolf in different historical periods

Today the symbol of the wolf is quite popular. A huge number of T-shirts and backpacks are decorated with a print with photos of this predator. Also, many make tattoos or wear ornaments depicting wolves. With such popularity, not everyone knows that this animal in different historical periods was a symbol of both good and evil.

A little bit about wolf nature

Today, people are less likely to encounter wolves than their ancestors. Therefore, the idea of this animal is formed on the basis of books and TV shows. Meanwhile, the wolf is a rather dangerous predator, which is not only strong and fast, but also very smart.

Being a fairly strong animal, a wolf is able to attack a person and overcome him. However, this happens in case of extreme need, since this animal does not like the human smell. As a rule, if a pack of wolves is not hungry and not provoked, they do not attack people.

Each symbol of the wolf has its own meaning. Often, everything depended on external factors. In more fertile areas, where it was easier for wolves to get food without attacking people, these predators were treated with respect and admiration. But in those countries where they lacked food and they were forced to hunt people, they, naturally, were considered the embodiment of evil.

There are many misconceptions about the nature of wolves. So, it is believed that they are noble hunters who do not eat carrion and do not hunt for the weak. In reality, this is not the case. Wolves eat meat as recently killed animals, and accidentally found carcass. In addition, they often finish off the found weak or wounded animals.

But as for wolf monogamy, it's true. In a pack of wolves form pairs and remain true to each other until the death of one of the partners. That is why a wolf is often considered a symbol of fidelity, like a swan.

Another interesting feature of this predator is the inability to tame or train the wolf. That is why for many a wolf is a symbol of freedom and disobedience.

The Animal of the Ancient Greeks and Romans

Even in the time of the Hellenes, wolves were already credited with magical abilities. Thus, in the records of the father of Herodotus' history, mention was made of tribes, whose totem was a wolf. In addition, the Greeks it was considered an animal of Apollo.

In ancient Sparta, the appearance of wolves before the battle was considered a bad omen. For the Romans, they were very respected animals. According to legend, it was the she-wolf who fed up with her milk the legendary founders of the eternal city - the twins Romulus and Remus. In addition, the wolf was an animal dedicated to Mars.

Unlike the Spartans for the Romans, to see the wolf before the military campaign was venerated for a good sign, since it was a symbol of fearlessness. Some legionaries wore amulets in the form of a tooth of this animal.

In Roman culture, very often there was a symbol of a wolf, and even more often a wolf. The females were considered by the Romans to be symbols of sexual attraction. In this regard, women who sell their body, sometimes called wolves. Also an ancient holiday was dedicated to the wolf - Lupercalia.

The symbol of the wolf in the mythology of Scandinavians and Egyptians

In Scandinavian mythology wolves marked chaos and evil. So, according to legend, the giant wolf Fenwir swallowed the sun, and people found themselves in eternal darkness. Only thanks to the valiant son of Odin, the heavenly body returned to its place.

But in ancient Egypt there was a deity-wolf named Upyat.

He was the best warrior of Osiris and was often identified with him. In addition, Upaat was considered a deity, patronizing the deceased. The images of the wolf were very popular among the Egyptians, and on most holidays, a shield with the image of this predator was necessarily carried out ahead of the procession.

The wolf of the Slavic tribes

As in Egypt, for the Slavs the wolf was a symbol of the other world. It was believed that in the guise of this beast the dead can return to the world of the living. The wolf was the conductor. People believed that if, when meeting with a wolf, pronounce the names of three deceased relatives, the predator would not touch.

In folk tales, he often acted as a positive character, with his mind and wise advice, helping the main character achieve the goal.

In addition, in the mythology of the Slavs, the wolf was the animal of the Semgarla deity, and a separate rune is dedicated to him.

Also for the Slavs, wolves were a symbol of a good harvest. After all, in the old days they were practiced almost in every forest, performing the function of orderlies. Predators controlled the population of deer, hares and other weaker animals. Thanks to this, wheat and other plants on the fields adjacent to the forest were not trampled or eaten by herbivores.

Slavic tribes, as a rule, did not hunt wolves. But at the same time to find the carcass was considered a positive sign. Skins were often used not only as warm clothes, but also as a guard.

The Wolf in Christianity

With the spread of Christianity, all other cults tried to abolish. To get rid of their influence, everything connected with paganism was recognized as the machinations of impure forces. Including the wolf, which, despite many negative features, was respected by most pagans. That is why he was declared "unclean" and servant of Satan. Besides, in the Bible in many parables the wolf was associated with the devil, who dreams to destroy people (sheep). A little later, this predator began to be considered a seducer. On wolves, according to legends, witches and sorcerers went to their coven.

What does the wolf symbolize today?

In the twentieth century, the wolf was "rehabilitated." He not only ceased to be a symbol of evil, but also became the embodiment of many positive qualities.

Now the wolf is primarily a symbol of freedom and loneliness. And although these animals are really famous for their love of freedom, they can hardly be called singles, since they live in a pack with a clear hierarchy of relations that is not violated. In connection with this, another mistaken interpretation is the recognition that the wolf is a symbol of independence.

Today, these animals symbolize fidelity in love, purity and care for their children.

In addition, now the wolf is a symbol of nobility. Contrary to the very ignoble habits of this beast, in fact, it symbolizes military honor and valor, as well as fearlessness and readiness to fight to the death.

For centuries, the nature of the wolf interested people. Many of them built this predator in the category of deities, hoping to enlist the help of a strong and independent beast. A little later he became a symbol of evil. Today, many old ideas about the symbol of the wolf have been forgotten or lost their significance, new ones have replaced them. How long they will be relevant, time will tell.