Animals

Alpaca
Long ago, in the Andean highlands of South America, alpacas were thought to be closely aligned to an ancient water cult. Alpaca stone sculptures of that time reflect a duality that pairs divine/human creators, and rock/water, and life/death.
Bear
The bear was thought to possess diplomacy equal to its great strength and it is the emblem of ferocity in the protection of kindred. A bear is also a symbol of healing and personal health, strength and bravery.
Camel
The camel signifies temperance, patience and perseverance. In ancient times it may have been used as a sign of royalty and dignity.
Cat
Cats are an image of wholeness - a merging of the physical and spiritual, the psychic and the sensual. For a cat, these are not separate worlds, but one.
Cheetah
Cheetah symbolism: the ability to focus intently on something for a short period of time, swiftness, self-esteem, accelerating time, keenness of sight, speed, making events occur quicker.
Cow
The cow is a symbol of gentle nourishment, motherhood, and prosperity.
Coyote
The Coyote is a clown in the natural world, and in many Native American tribes view the symbolism of the Coyote as that of trickster,or transformer. The Navajo would never kill Coyote because of their belief that it accompanied the first man and woman into the entrance of the first physical world.  Also in the same myth, the Coyote brought with it seeds of life so as to sew new growth upon the new world.
Deer
Graceful gentleness, and Sensitivity. Although there are many types of deer, they all have on thing in common - gracefulness. Deer blend very well with their environment but are very sensitive to every sound or movement.
Dolphin
For many cultures across the world, whales and dolphins are associated with divine powers and are seen as superior beings. In ancient Greece, to kill a dolphin was equal to killing a human and was a crime punishable by death. For dolphins were seen messengers for the Gods.
Dog
The dog is the emblem of faithfulness and guardianship. Dogs are considered loyal and temperate and the dog is a symbol of a skilled hunter. They were also associated with priests since priests were thought of as watchdogs against the devil.
Donkey
The donkey has also been considered a symbol of stubbornness, and in other circles a symbol of patience and gentleness. The "gentleness" symbolism is possibly due to the fact that the Bible reported that the Virgin Mary rode a donkey to Bethlehem and that Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem.
Dragon
Dragons were perceived as powerful, protective, and fearsome, and they were valued for their warlike qualities. They were often protectors of a treasure, and from this they can be symbolic of a most valiant defender.
Duck
Ducks can elude their enemies in many ways, either by flying, running, swimming or diving for cover; therefore, they are a symbol for a resourceful person.
Elephant
The Precious Elephant is a symbol of the strength of the mind in Buddhism. Exhibiting noble gentleness, the precious elephant serves as a symbol of the calm majesty possessed by one who is on the path. Specifically, it embodies the boundless powers of the Buddha which are miraculous aspiration, effort, intention, and analysis. The image at the right says it all: a stupa - symbolic of the mind of a Buddha with a basis of strong elephants.
Fish
In feng shui and for oriental traditions, the fish is a very symbolic creature which represents abundance and wealth.
Frog
Frog is a creature of great importance in Northwest Coast art and culture. As a creature that lives in two worlds, water and land, Frog is revered for his adaptability, knowledge and power to traverse worlds and inhabit both natural and supernatural realms. Frogs are primary spirit helpers of shamans. A great communicator, Frog often represents the common ground or voice of the people. Frog's songs are believed to contain divine power and magic.
Giraffe
The giraffe is a graceful animal whose long neck represents the ability to be visionary while still viewing the past and present.  The giraffe teaches us to increase our understanding by viewing life from all angles.  The heart of the giraffe is large.  In some African traditions, a giraffe symbol is taken to every meeting to assure that the understandings of the heart are addressed  as well as the understandings of the head.  The giraffe uses strength and flexibility to align the physical, mental and spiritual faculties of all situations.
Gorilla
The gorilla is a symbol for quiet power that prolongs the lifespan of people.
Great Blue Heron
In Chinese tradition, the heron represents longevity and good fortune.
Kangaroo
Kangaroos symbolize abundance and family. She reminds us to share the abundance of our gifts, to focus not on getting but giving.
Lion
In China, the lion is regarded as the king of the forests and of the other animals. It has thus long been used as a symbol of power and grandeur. It is even believed to offer protection from evil spirits.
Horse
As a Native American symbol, the Horse symbol meanings combine the grounded power of the earth with the whispers of wisdom found in the spirit winds. The Horse has long been honored has helper, messenger, and harbinger of spirit knowledge to the Native American. Considered wild and an emblem of freedom, the Native American sees many potentialities in the symbolic nature of this noble creature.
Lynx
The lynx is the keeper of the secrets. Can’t say anymore.
Mermaid
In myth and folklore, mermaids are supernatural, sea-dwelling creatures with the head and upper body of a beautiful woman and the lower body of a fish. The mermaid is frequently described as appearing above the surface of the water and combing her long hair with one hand while holding a mirror in the other. Mermaids, in the numerous tales told of them, often foretell the future, sometimes under compulsion; give supernatural powers to human beings; or fall in love with human beings and entice their mortal lovers to follow them beneath the sea.
Moose
The moose is a symbol of value, integrity, being headstrong, unstoppable force, and longevity.
Panda
In China, people have believed for thousands years that pandas are special. It is said that ancient emperors of China kept giant pandas as pets. Chinese books over two thousand years old show giant pandas with mystical powers. People thought that they could ward off evil spirits and natural disasters. Today, pandas are believed to be a symbol of peace and good fortune.
Peacock
In Asia, the peacock is a symbol of such compassion and empathy that it is thought to die of grief at the passing of its mate. Its feathers are considered protective. In Christianity, the peacock stands for immortality. According to Sufi legend the original spirit was created in the shape of a peacock.
Pig
According to German tradition, partaking of a roast pork dinner on Christmas Eve will prevent evil and promote prosperity in the new year. Germans have a saying, “wir haben Schwein” which means “we have good luck”. Pigs are considered to be symbols of good fortune, thrift, and savings.
Ostrich
The ostrich is known for sticking his head in the sand to ignore perceived crisis. It reminds us of the folly of a see-no-evil, hear-no-evil approach to living our lives.
Rabbit
The rabbit often appears in folklore as the trickster archetype, as he uses his cunning to outwit his enemies. Rabbits are often used as a symbol of fertility or rebirth, and have long been associated with spring.
Seal
Represents dauntless courage at sea. According to Nootka culture (west coast of Canada) in its creation myth, the Sea Lion’s services are enlisted by the Raven to help him land in exchange for a fur coat so he can swim in the coldest of waters and keep warm.
Sheep
One of the few Christian symbols dating from the first century is that of the Good Shepherd carrying on His shoulders a lamb or a sheep, with two other sheep at his side.
Swan
Because of its pure white color, the swan is a symbol of light in many parts of the world. Though in some regions it was considered a feminine symbol of the moon, in most it was a masculine symbol of the sun. In ancient Greece, for example, the swan was linked to Apollo, the god of the Sun. The god Zeus took the shape of a swan to get close to Leda, with whom he had fallen in love. And in Celtic myth, a pair of swans steered the Sun boat across heaven.
Tiger
The tiger is generally seen as a symbol of power and strength, but also of destruction and violence. In China, tiger images are used as charms to ward off evil. At the time of the Chou dynasty, images of tigers were hung in pregnant woman's rooms to protect the unborn baby. In some areas tigers are thought to punish sinners, in the name of a supreme being, by attacking them.
Zebra
teaches us the beauty in individuality. Another spiritual meaning for the stripes has to do with the integration of opposites, thus enabling us to see a deeper truth.
Twirling Girl
The twirling girl is the muse of the Carousel of Happiness. She conducts the music and dance of the animals and their riders. She reminds us to smile. She coaxes our joy from our shells.