Religion is a major part of culture and life all around the world. For most cultures, their belief is in a divine and unseen being. However, there are others whose gods are tangible and these are not just idols – they are animals.
The worship of animals, also known as Zoolatry, is a religious ritual where animals are considered as deities. It forms a part of many ancient religions like how the cow is worshipped in Hinduism as well as ancient Persia. It is supposed that these animals symbolize deities and have divine characteristics.
In different parts of the world, animals are worshipped for different reasons. Here are the top ten most commonly worshipped animals across the world:
1. Pig
In ancient Egypt, pigs were considered sacred to the gods. Their god appears as a pig with erect bristles and who watched for storms, darkness, deserts and chaos. Even pigs were sacrificed in the name of the gods.
Greeks also practice the ritual of sacrificing pigs to their goddess Demeter. The goddess represented grain, fertility, purity and also cherishing youth, preserving marriages and greenery.
According to Chinese zodiac, pigs are one of the twelve auspicious animals. The Celts also worshipped a ‘god of swine’ named Moccus, after the prayer ceremony cooked pork was served as one of the rituals.
2. Snake
In Karnataka, India Serpent deities are worshipped. The worship of snakes is present in several old cultures and traditions. Especially in the Hindu culture, Lord Shiva wears a Nag “Indian Cobra” around his neck as an ornament. Cobras are the most sacred among the entire snakes in India.
There is a special festival of snakes called Nag Panchami, where all worship snakes and their deities. It is a festival celebrated all over India, people offer prayer, milk and worship the snake. In south India, live snakes are worshipped.
The Egyptians also worship a number of snake gods and in some of the Native American tribes, the snake is the god who gives fair winds and causes thunderstorms.
3. Tiger
According to Chinese myth and culture, tigers are among one of the 12 zodiac animals. Chinese art and martial art consider tigers as an earth symbol. For eastern Asia culture, the tiger is a symbol of royalty, fearlessness and anger. In China, there is a suburbs named Kunming which is a major tourist attraction for tiger worship. Here the worship of tiger is a tourist attraction.
In Hinduism tiger is associated with the Hindu god Shiva and Durga. In Nepal, a tiger festival is celebrated called as Bagh Jatra. In many parts of Vietnam, there is a tiger temple in every village. Tigers are always admired for their strength, ferocity and royalty. One can easily see tiger statues at the entrance of temples and palaces. It is believed that they keep evil spirits away from entering those places.
4. Cattle
In Hinduism cattle’s are considered to be holy, even Zoroastrianism, ancient Egyptian and Greek also consider them to be auspicious. Majorly Cow and buffalo are worshipped by people and the slaughter of an ox is seen as an offering to a god. In south India, a Toda ritual is performed where a bull calf is sacrificed yearly and later eaten by the adult males.
The Egyptians celebrate the birthday of bulls every year and are mummified after their death and obscured in a tomb. Similar rituals are followed in the Nile. In India, cows are respected the most among all the animals and its products are magic for Indians. A cow is a symbol of wealth and drinking of cow urine is considered to bring good fortune and prosperity.
5. Elephant
In Thailand, people believe that a white elephant contains the soul of a dead person. In India, Lord Ganesha has the head of an elephant. During the festival called Alunam, the unmarried women worship elephants by dancing and singing songs. In certain cultures, elephant figurines are used to display its importance.
In Sumatran culture elephant statues were built as “seats of the souls”. The Culture of North Borneo holds a different significance at all. Wooden elephant figurines were placed at the top of a bamboo pole once the tribe chief had collected a particular number of human heads. It is regarded as a symbol of honour.
The elephant holds a special place in Hindu culture and tradition. There are temples in south India that train elephants for temple worship. Tourist in India would definitely not miss this sight of elephants worshipping at temples. In India, elephants are a part of Hindu ethos and culture. During ancient times they were used as an instrument of war.
6. Monkey
According to Chinese zodiac calendar, monkeys are ninth in the twelve-year cycle of animals. In Hinduism, the monkey is seen as Hanuman. Hanuman is a prominent god figure. The Buddhist believes that the monkey is an incarnation of Buddha. But some also believe that they are dishonest and ugly.
In some cultures, the monkey is also seen as a senseless creature symbolizing greed. But in Japan monkeys are seen as teaching proverbial principle to “see, hear and speak no evil”.
7. Wolf
In many cultures, wolves are identified with the warrior. The Tlingit community god name means “wolf,” and they worship a wolf-head. The shamanic Turkic believes they are descendants of wolves. Both Zeus and Apollo are also associated with the wolf but there is little clarity about it. The most obvious example in western culture is Rome’s foundation, and the use of wolves in imagery.
8. Dog
In Nepal and parts of India, dogs carry a religious significance. Dogs are worshipped in a five-day festival known as Toyhar festival. In Hinduism, the dog is considered as a messenger to the god of demise. It is also believed that they are guard to the doors of Heaven.
In Nepal 14th day in November is celebrated as Kukur toyhar, meaning dog’s day. On this day dogs are worshipped with a holy dot, incense sticks and garland. The Nosarii tribe of western Asia also worships dogs. The Karang of Java believes that dogs are a reflection of wood. They worship dogs after the loss of a family member.
9. Goat
During ancient times in Syria, goats were covered with silver necklaces and left open out in the city on the king’s wedding. It is believed that they carry evils with them. In Africa, people have goats as their primary divinity. Goats are also worshipped in Greece. According to the Chinese Zodiac sign, people with goat sign are shy, aloof, introverted and creative.
10. Horse
Horse worship is mostly practised by Turkish and Indo-European people. It is also believed that Poseidon, a water god, was formerly conceived in the appearance of a horse. The horse and the mule are holy to the Roman god. In Hinduism and Buddhism, a horse-headed god named Hayagriva is worshipped.
Gonds tribe in India also worships a horse, which is in the shape of a stone. Horses are also commonly worshipped in Europe. In Balkan culture, a bachelor person is wrapped with a horse to transfer the sexual power of the horse to the individual.
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