Methaphysics and annimals.

Pretty much all animals are held as being sacred (as is the earth, the sky etc) in Native American thoughts. Animals, again like everything else is viewed as an extension of ourselves, but not only that but also asd teachers, guides and as brothers. Case in point is the Horse. The horse is viewed as a symbol of power. Because it has so much power and gave the Natives a better way to hunt and travel. Its interesting how this carried over into "horsepower" for cars. Usually each animal represets a specific trait that exists within man but that is amplified often to a much greater degree. Some further examples would be: the squirrel who is always prepared, the beaver who is the builder, the ant who is patient or the lizard who is the dreamer. Are not animals close to g-d as all others are close to g-d?

This is a wonderful point for discussing. I think that in mans very early days, they would think about and discuss what was around them. Animals would naturally fascinate us because they are alive, and therefore unpredictable. A flower can be very beautiful, but it does nothing. Animals are beautiful, and they are alive, like ourselves. Due to its ability to take life, and to move without legs, most ancient religions felt that snakes were close to the Divine. This includes native Americans and Auctralians, plus the ancient Middle Eastern faiths. That is why the Torah portrays it as evil, because it symbolises the old religions. Whilst there are no longer any lions in Europe, they were known to Europeans from Egyptian times. The Romans had lions. Being ferocious, many fighter Kings adopted the lion. In England, we had Richard (Couer De Lyon) the Lionheart. My favourite is the dragon, which appears in every ancient civilisation.

Yes they tell that, but I dont believe it, I love animal all animal, and I dont creded that one animal are a legame whit other thing.

Yes there are stories about lions if this is what you mean in our bible but not specific cats. Well God put two animals of each kind in Noah's Ark. In the bible it is talked about Daniel and the lion and Samson killing the lion because he was showing his strenth for his belief in God.

I think different animals exhibit different human traits in a more pure form, and that people then use the animal to simplify or illustrate their point. For instance: cats are seen as patient AND curious ("curiosity killed the cat"); sly as a fox; slow as a snail ("at a snail's pace"); and "bird brained" denoting stupidity or flighty-ness. Many cultures identify with one or more animals in an attempt to internalize or adopt that animal's best known trait -- the lion, in particular, being fierce, strong, "king of the jungle" (because it can kill almost every other animal there), is a favorite among Europeans (it's a power/control symbol). I have a feeling that Africans are less apt to use the lion as a symbol because they have to deal with it as a predator of their livestock (as well as themselves!). It has nuisance meanings for them that Europeans don't have. There is also the idea that concentrating on specific animals will draw them to you -- not a good thing if the animal might eat you! Are animals closer to God?? I think it's a good possibility. Closer to evil?? I doubt it.

Very in depth...Maybe area take animals into their traditions to try and portray themselves in a more powrful light? I dont know...