Introduction
Have you ever watched dolphins frolicking? Something is reassuring and peaceful about their playful antics. They seem to happily grin while leading carefree lives. We know that dolphins, like humans, are intelligent, and possess a strong sense of community. They are brave as well, as dolphins don’t turn tail (literally!) when threatened by predators like sharks. They fight back! For centuries many ancient cultures gave dolphins a special place in their legends, myth, and folklore. Let us explore the meaning of dolphin symbolism.
Table of Contents
- Dolphins as a Symbol of Protection
- Dolphins as a Symbol of Resurrection
- Dolphins as a Symbol of Grace
Dolphins as a Symbol of Protection
To this day, seafaring cultures continue to value dolphins as a symbol of protection. Sailors of many nations consider a dolphin to be lucky, or a good omen. Often, this was for practical reasons, as pods of dolphins frequent shipping lanes and coastal areas where humans dwell. For the earliest seafarers, a dolphin would have been a welcome sight and sign that dry land wasn’t far away. Old sea dogs knew that dolphins following a ship was a good omen, as their boat was sure to reach harbor safely.
This kind-hearted nature can be traced back to at least one of many Greek myths. To Ancient Greeks, dolphins were hugely revered, showing up in countless ways as messengers, rescuers and more. But, how did dolphins come to be protectors?
An Ancient Greek tale speaks of Dionysus, best known as the God of Wine and Winemaking. The story tells us that as Dionysus approached adulthood, he wandered far and wide across the world. But, eventually, his heart called him back to Greece.
While returning to his homeland, Dionysus was set upon by pirates. To them, the Greek God appeared to be wealthy, and certainly worth a ransom to some rich noble. Smiling at their fortune, the pirates seized Dionysus and brought him onboard their ship. Unfortunately for the pirates, their thoughts of silver and gold were short-lived.
Whenever the buccaneers would try and tie the god up, their efforts would fail. Knots would slip and not hold their place. The rope would fray and break. With creeping horror, it dawned upon the pirates that only a powerful being, such as a god, could exert such power!
Dropping his bemused expression, the God of Wine confronted his would-be captors. Some say he turned their oars to snakes and viciously poisoned the sailors. Others suggest that Dionysus transformed into a lion, and savaged the evil men. As the pirates abandoned their ship, this son of Zeus curtailed his anger and became amused. He is said to have transformed the survivors into dolphins, and that their penance would be to help humanity ever after.
Dolphins as a Symbol of Resurrection
Like the butterfly, dolphins are also seen as a symbol of resurrection. Sometimes, this can be a true rebirth. In other tales, they are ferriers of the dead, ensuring that souls safely reach a peaceful afterlife.
Going back to our Ancient Greek friends, we can learn that dolphins were responsible for bringing the recently deceased to the Islands of the Blessed. Also known as the Fortunate Isles, the purest of souls would be able to reside here in the afterlife with the heroes and heroines of Ancient Greek myth.
However, it may surprise you to learn it wasn’t just the Greeks who saw dolphins in this way! Early cultures believed dolphins to be a type of fish, so it was common for dolphins to be portrayed in early Christian symbolism. The simple image of a crudely drawn fish was an initial representation for Jesus Christ. By extension, dolphins were also viewed as a symbol of Christ, and would frequently show up in works of art like paintings, sculptures, and dolphin jewelry. A dolphin ring was one such favored early symbol of devotion.
An especially popular symbol of Early Christianity was a dolphin twisted around an anchor. This easily understood dolphin symbol speaks a powerful message by signifying the hope of eternal life. The anchor represents endurance, and the ability to persevere. The dolphin represents Jesus. It acts as an analogue for his crucifixion upon the cross. In this way, for Christians, Jesus Christ is the anchor of their faith.
Dolphins as a Symbol of Grace
If you’ve ever had the joy of watching a pod of dolphins at play, then it’s easy to understand why they have long been valued for their gracefulness. There is a strong spirit of freedom present as we watch them jump and dive, splash and swim. The sleek form of a dolphin effortlessly glides through the water, going where he might please.
Conclusion
April 14 is Dolphin Day, but don’t we really love them all year ‘round? To this day, people seek to capture a bit of this gentle and playful nature in personal symbols, such as dolphin tattoos. It remains a popular choice, especially for women, but anyone who wants to embrace the joy and freedom of our intelligent friend the dolphin can’t go wrong with choosing dolphin jewelry.
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Updated March 2024.
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Your way of presenting the article is wonderful. Thank you for sharing this great article.
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We live close to an aquarium. I grew up in the water in Florida. My firstborn daughter from the time she was just about two years old always said she wanted to be with dolphins. We could go to the aquarium quite frequently and she would just be stuck to where the Dolphins are! I took her on a dolphin swim when she was 10! Funny of the place we went there was an aviary and the birds were all over her they landed all over her I couldn’t get them off of her. She said she was going to be a dolphin trainer until she got older and thought that it wasn’t good to keep dolphins in tanks. Funny because when she was little I was working for a Japanese company and one of my coworkers was doing origami with her and asked her what she liked and she said she loved dolphins. And the sweet lady working with my daughter said well you know your name is dolphin in Japanese almost her name is Erika And dolphin in Japanese is Iruka! We don’t live near the beach anymore but we go a lot you should go in the morning and we always see pod of dolphins! I think they know she’s near. I had a dream when my girls were born to that we’ve gone to the Bahamas and the water was clear glass and we were sitting on the shore and the next thing I knew we were completely underwater. We could breathe we could talk we could swim around it was wonderful. The girls were collecting shells and Buddha showed up. Now back then I had no idea who Buddha was it was only years later that I realized what I had seen. But the Buddha sitting in the lotus position smiling at us was just right there it was so crazy. And then I woke up. I swear I think my kids came from the ocean!!
What a great story! Thank you for sharing Patrice.
Thank you for this wonderful article. I really liked your way of presenting the article.
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My mother passed in 2008. She was a lover of both dolphins and butterflies. In her will, she ask that my brother and I bury her ashes in the Gulf of Mexico near where we grew up.
As she ask, my brother, whom I hadn’t spoken to in several years, and I reunited to honor her wish. We met up at her residence, set a date for the celebration, and carried it out.
Since my brother was younger than I, I felt he should begin with the spreading of them first. After he was finished, I took my turn and spread the remaining ashes into the water. We then said our goodbyes, and took a moment of silence to reflect on things. At that moment, a single dolphin came from out of nowhere and swam up towards us. It dove downward then leaped out of the water in front of us both, then returned to the water and disappeared.
It was the greatest thing I’ve ever witnessed and in such a personal way.
My brother and I stared at each other in awe, hugged one another and decided to meet up later.
I don’t know what others believe or don’t believe, but I can say the experience definitely made my brother a believer of something in some way or another. We both firmly believe it was our mother energy or spirit saying farewell and letting us know without doubt, everything was going to be okay. As for myself, I’ve always considered myself an animist, so seeing that take place, was a bit more of concrete reassurance.
Enjoyed reading your article above. Thank you kindly for taking the time to write it. It’s much appreciated.
Shane, that’s an incredible story! Thank you for sharing it with us. It sounds like you and your brother were able to grow closer and receive closure.
I dreamed that a light shined in the very sea I was sinking in my this light my eyes open up as through I knew the way out or knew what to do from that point! And I began to swim powerfully like a Dolphin I really changed into a Dolphin and came up swiftly! High Speed!
Thanks for sharing, Theresa!