Masonic & Occult Symbols Illustrate

Many animals are used to portray certain meanings. Obviously, not every animal you see has an occultic meaning connected to it. However, the occult world does make use of particular creatures and when they do so, there is a meaning behind it. For instance, let’s look at the dolphins. The Seeker’s Handbook states: “Dolphin stories are a part of planetary folklore.” The dolphin was one of the emblems of the goddesses Ceres and Demeter and one of the favorite animals of the god Dionysus. Melcarth, the god of the sea, is represented as riding on a dolphin. Occasionally the god Apollo would assume the form of a dolphin. Neptune is often portrayed seated in a chariot drawn by dolphins. Eros (or Cupid) was “the boy on the dolphin.” The Nereids were fifty nymphs who rode on dolphins and bore tridents. The Handbook of Ornament adds: “In symbolic representations he [the dolphin] is the companion of Nymphs, Nereids, and Tritons, and of Arion, Aphrodite, and Neptune, with whose trident he is often combined in ornament.” Below are some dolphins. Notice the trident variations on the crown and the tails.

Earlier we covered the Goat of Mendes (a portrayal of Satan). His consort was a dolphin goddess.