The Mythical Legacy Of Dogs

The cat isn’t the only pet with a long history of myth and legend. Dogs have played an important role in human culture and spirituality for centuries.

The dog, or “man’s best friend,” is the subject of many magical tales, wisdom traditions, and folklore throughout the world. Like the cat, dogs were companions of the ancients and are still considered symbols of loyalty, courage and protection.

In Greek mythology, dogs are associated with the goddess Hecate, who is also known as the “dog goddess.” She is the goddess of witchcraft, magic, and the crossroads, and is typically depicted in ancient Greek art with a pack of dogs at her side.

Today, the brightest star in the night sky, Sirius, is also known as the Dog Star, because it is traditionally seen as the protector of the night sky. In many cultures, Sirius has been associated with dogs because of its brightness and prominence.

Perhaps the most famous dog in Greek mythology is Cerberus, the three-headed guardian of the underworld. Cerberus not only prevented the dead from leaving the underworld, but also the living from entering it. He was finally captured by the hero Heracles in one of his twelve labors. Another famous Greek dog is Laelaps, a swift dog given by the god Zeus to the hunter Actaeon. Laelaps was so fast that he could catch any prey, but he was also cursed to always catch his prey.

The dog has seldom been successful in pulling man up to its level of wisdom, but man has frequently dragged the dog down to his ~ James Thurber

In Roman mythology, dogs are associated with the goddess Diana, the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Artemis. Diana is the goddess of the hunt and is traditionally depicted with a pack of dogs at her side. One of the most famous Roman mythological dogs is Faunus, a dog belonging to the god Pan. Faunus was a magical dog who could speak and understand human language.

In Egyptian mythology, dogs are associated with the god Anubis, who is the god of death, mummification, and the afterlife. Anubis is traditionally depicted as a man with the head of a jackal, a wild dog native to Africa. Dogs are also associated with the Egyptian goddess Hathor, who is the goddess of motherhood, love, and fertility. Hathor is depicted as a woman with the head of a cow, and in some ancient art she is also accompanied by a pack of dogs.

In Hindu mythology, dogs are associated with the god Bhairava, who is a fierce manifestation of the god Shiva. Bhairava is typically depicted riding on a dog, and is sometimes also accompanied by a pack of dogs. Dogs are further associated with the Hindu god Yama, who is the god of death. Yama is often depicted with two four-eyed dogs guarding the gates of the underworld.

In Chinese mythology, dogs are associated with the Zodiac sign of the Dog. The Dog is the eleventh sign of the Chinese Zodiac and is said to be a sign of loyalty, honesty, and diligence. Dogs are also associated with the Chinese god Erlang Shen, who is a god of war and protection. Erlang Shen is often depicted riding a three-headed dog. Today, the Foo Dog, also known as the Fu Dog, a mythical lion-like figure, is commonly used in the Chinese spiritual practice of Feng Shui and is considered especially beneficial when placed at the front door to protect your home from negative energy.

People always joke that “dog” spells “god” backwards. They should consider that it might be the higher power coming down to see just how well they do, what kind of people they are. And maybe how we treat these companions is a test ~ Linda Blair

One of the popular myths of Northern Europe and the Celtic world is that of the Wild Hunt, in which the god Odin led his eight-legged hound Sleipnir across the night sky, with the souls of the dead following behind. The “black dog” or Grim, often a straggler on these hunts, was a sign associated with death. You may recognize this reference from the popular Harry Potter series by British author J. K. Rowling.

Dogs also play an important role in Native American culture. They are seen as companions, protectors, and spiritual guides. The symbolism of dogs in Native American culture varies from tribe to tribe. For example, the Cherokee believe that dogs are guardians of the afterlife and help their owners find their way to the other side. For the Lakota, dogs are messengers of the gods. The Navajo people believe that dogs are the spirits of their ancestors, protecting them from harm and guiding them through life. For the Apache, dogs are sacred animals that can communicate with the spirit world.

In the ancient Mayan creation myth of Central America, dogs were created before humans and became angry when the first humans (made of wood) did not feed them properly. Today’s Chihuahua breed is descended from the sacred dogs of the Mayans and Aztecs.

So, maybe you have a lazy dog or one with too much energy, but do not underestimate your fur baby. She may come from royal lineage or a long line of magical mutts!