Otter: Pagan Symbolism and a Legend
She Is Symbolic of Woman Medicine, Playfulness and Trickster
Otters are members of the carnivorous mustelidae family which includes weasels, stoats, fishers, minks, martens, wolverines, badgers and polecats (not skunks). They are found on all continents, except Australia and Antarctica. These web-footed aquatic mammals live in coastal areas, rivers, streams and lakes.
Land otters eat crayfish (favorite), turtles, fish, frogs, snails, snakes, insects and other freshwater shellfish. Sea otters eat shellfish, snails, fish and sea urchins, their favorite. Both types crack the shelled animals on rocks. When otters eat sea urchins, they roll onto their backs, using their stomachs as tables and enjoy their meal. After they’re finished eating, they lick their paws.
The hallmark of otters is their playfulness. Both the adults and young ones frolic. They toss shells into the water, then dive after them. Otters slide down banks, head-first on their bellies. They float on their backs and chat with each other by chirping, and dive in and out of the water.
Celtic Symbolism
These animals were considered very magickal by the Celts. Otter represents play, sharing, helpfulness, faithfulness and joy. She teaches people to relax, become a child again and enjoy life.
Otter is a strong protector who helps people to find their inner treasures and hidden talents, gain wisdom, and to be able to recover from any crisis. She has a strong sense of family, which serves a lesson.
Native American Symbolism
Otter is a symbol of woman medicine, female energy. She is mischievous and adventurous and represents laughter, joy, curiosity, grace, and empathy.
Her power is fullest in spring and summer.
Two of her lessons are to think the best of others and not to be the first to attack. Otter sees all other creatures as pleasant and friendly unless they prove this not to be true. She will not provoke an altercation and only fights when attacked.
Some tribes see her as trickster.
Ojibwa Legend
Before there were humans on earth, animals spoke the same language. They helped each other, but they also played tricks on one another.
One day, before the winter sleep, lakes had frozen. Bear was walking along the lake. He saw Otter sitting near a hole on the ice with a pile of fish. He asked her how she caught all the fish.
Instead of telling Bear she dove into the water to catch the fish, Otter decided to trick him. Then, Bear had long bushy tail.
She told him she put her tail into the hole in the ice and wiggled it once to attract fish. When a fish bit it, she pulled it from the water. Bear thought it an easy way to catch fish and asked her if he could use her fishing hole.
Otter said she had enough fish and he was welcome to use it. She picked her catch up and left. Bear put his tail into the hole, wiggled it and waited. From time to time, he’d wiggle it again. The sun began to set. Finally, he decided to leave, but he couldn’t stand because his tail was frozen to the ice. He pulled to no avail. He summoned all of his strength and pulled again. He lost half of his tail.
Moral: People are not to believe all others tell them.
Related articles:
Bear: Powerful Pagan Symbol
Coyote, Pagan Symbol: Trickster
Sources:
Animal-Speak, Ted Andrews, (Llewellyn Publications, 2002)
The Druid Animal Oracle, Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm (A Fireside Book, 1994)
Favorite Animals of North America, Will Barker, (Portland House, 1987)
The Medicine Cards, Jamie Sams & David Carson, (Bear & Company, 1988)
