The octopus is definitely one of the strangest and most fascinating creatures that walks or, better said, swims on this planet. This strange-looking animal has surprising biological characteristics, which makes it equally interesting in a symbolic sense.
As a spirit animal, the octopus is loaded with symbolism and veiled in mystery. Octopuses are part of several traditions and are present in almost all marine cultural concepts.
All societies that live close to coastal areas or very close to the sea have their legends and stories about octopuses.
Because these animals look so different from us, people invented countless mysterious and mystical beliefs about them, before knowing their natural characteristics, in terms of the science of biology.
The octopus and its eight tentacles are considered magical beings in various marine and coastal traditions. They are featured in the folklore, mythology and art of these peoples.
Before we analyze the symbology of octopuses and their totemic powers, let’s find out something more about this fascinating creature.
There are many interesting biological facts that make octopuses such amazing spirit animals and that really give them their magical powers. These strange looking clams are intelligent and extremely adaptable creatures.
They are masters of visual illusions, surrounding themselves in a cloud of black ink when threatened.
This is just one example of the natural characteristics of octopuses that make this animal so interesting, intriguing and mysterious to humans. There are many more.
Before we continue, we would like to mention that octopuses come in many sizes and shapes and they all inhabit deep seas and oceans.
They can be real sea monsters that you read about in fantasy novels; there are octopuses that stretch for about forty meters in length.
There are also the smaller, less terrifying ones that could fit perfectly in a human’s hand.
Amazing facts about octopuses
Octopuses are very intelligent species, very similar to humans in some ways. Yes, just like that; these ‘alien’ molluscs do share several important characteristics with humans. They could communicate through mime and gestures.
Octopuses are masters at imitating other creatures and are capable of solving complex tasks that involve thinking, such as escaping mazes, solving riddles, opening bottles, and so on.
They are very flexible and skilled in the use of their tentacles and their bodies in general. They can blend in so perfectly with their environment that they literally disappear before the eyes of other living beings!
Octopuses can lose complicated knots and loosen padlocks. Some of them are so smart that they could even solve the famous Rubik’s Cube, which is quite challenging for most of us smart humans.
Octopuses are clean, organized animals and perfectly adaptable. They make their homes comfortable and tidy.
These amazing clams aren’t so benevolent; although they appear calm and relaxed most of the time, they are known to attack other animals, even larger and more carnivorous predators. Octopuses can even prey on bloodthirsty sharks and poisonous jellyfish.
The symbolism of the octopus
The symbolism of the octopus is present in all marine cultures and in various traditions throughout our history. Octopus motifs can be found on ancient murals, pottery and other works of art. They are present in the mythology, folklore and literature of many societies.
Octopuses have always been fascinating people from all over the world; there are legends about giant eight-tentacled monsters that dwell in deep oceans and that swallow ships whole.
During the Victorian Age of sailing, stories of giant octopus were common among sailors. In Julies Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea, one of the most popular fantasy adventure books ever, there is also a legend about a giant and terrifying octopus.
You can imagine how rich and wide the symbolism of an octopus is. First of all, this amazing sea creature represents mystery, magic and secret powers. The “magical” defense mechanism of the black hue of the octopus certainly contributes.
Octopuses sometimes pose danger and threat, keeping in mind legends about gigantic, gluttonous deep ocean monsters with eight tentacles.
The number eight is a spice to the general symbolism of octopuses. This number has always been associated with spiritual powers, some higher, inexplicable force and occult powers.
Octopuses often represent some manipulative forces that we cannot influence that control or manipulate people’s lives.
These fascinating clams symbolize flexibility, adaptability, vitality and strength. They are masters at swimming and navigating tight spaces between rocks that would be quite a challenge for the most flexible and agile cat.
Their bodies have no bones and they move without any problem, wherever they want.
This makes it easier for the octopuses to escape from all predators. Symbolically, they also represent evasion, flight and tact. Octopuses also represent longevity, power and vitality.
In some countries, they are part of the diet and there has been a lot of controversy regarding the subject of eating octopus.
In some Asian countries these animals are sometimes eaten alive; it is believed that this practice can make you extremely strong, healthy and vital. Octopus meat is believed to have incredible nutritional properties, with mystical energetic powers as well. It is consumed in other parts of the world, with similar ideas.
Finally, the octopus is associated with incredible intelligence and cunning. As we already mentioned, science proves that these animals are capable of doing complex and challenging tasks for the brain.
Some of them not even ordinary people can solve. The octopus therefore represents cunning, intelligence, skill and problem solving.
Its eight tentacles are associated with manipulation and control, whether in a bad way or a good way.
Octopus totem and spiritual powers
The octopus totem is a rare and amazing. This spirit animal is a guide you could only wish for, so being born under the Octopus totem is a true gift.
This totem teaches you how to use all your skills to the best of your ability in order to achieve your goals. The octopus totem teaches patience, steadfastness, tactics and thinking are vital to achieving the goals you have set for yourself.
At the same time, you can use your courage and strength to endure difficult times. Octopuses are a little dark, but not in a particularly negative way. They are mysterious and not as open as the others.
However, they are not shy and have low self-esteem.
They are just very careful and observant; an octopus would never open up to a stranger so easily. They like to assess the situation first and are not prone to taking risks.
Octopuses have a good sense of their surroundings and adapt easily to their environment.
They are not particularly sociable, but they never stray en masse; are eccentric and easily recognizable. Octopuses are generally deeply imaginative and creative. They like to do things on their own and rarely ask for any help or assistance.
They’re not extremely compassionate either, but they wouldn’t refuse to help if asked either.
Of course, they shouldn’t be exploited and manipulated; they are more likely to manipulate others. In general, these people are very flexible and undemanding in terms of materiality.
They are intelligent and creative minds that help them feel comfortable in various conditions.
We have said that they are not particularly compassionate, but octopus personalities can become very attached to a small number of people.
They are loyal, kind and affectionate towards family, lovers and good friends. They keep their company small, but they maintain such relationships for life. Octopus people are extremely intelligent and good with words.
They have a sophisticated sense for describing the world, which makes them unique and intriguing to others.
You could learn a lot of interesting things from them, because they love exploring the world both through experience and theory.
However, you will definitely need some time to get them to let you into the world they have created for themselves.
