Goat symbolism is present all around the world. The intelligent horned animals hold different meanings and have played a role in many cultures.
What Does A Goat Symbolize?
- Aspiration
- Creative energy
- Faith
- Sure-footedness
- Tranquility
- Desire
Aspiration
The goat symbolizes aspiration as they are willing to climb to heights that other animals aren’t willing to climb to. Some goats, such as mountain goats, ibexes, and tahrs, are known to climb to 14,800 feet or greater.
Because of this, they also symbolize ambition. The goat thrives at high elevations, and they can remind you to always reach for the stars.
Creative energy
Goats symbolize creative energy as goats have to be creative when scaling a mountain or when they trying to find greener pastures. Goats can remind us to hone and practice our skills so become more adept creators.
Faith
Goats are symbolic of faith as they are able to seek high elevations with confidence that they won’t fall along the way. The goat can remind you that there are angels by your side.
Since goats don’t shed their horns, it’s easy to determine their age. Because of this, a mature goat can symbolize spiritual enlightenment.
Sure-Footedness
Since goats are able to scale a near-vertical mountain slope, they are thought to symbolize sure-footedness. Goats can safely navigate rich and difficult terrain, which requires them to focus and use their coordination and strength.
Goats can remind us that we need to focus on the journey rather than focusing only on the destination.
Tranquility
Since the presence of a goat can have a calming effect on a horse, goats are considered to symbolize tranquility. Humans may also be calmed by goats when seen in the green and quiet countryside.
Desire
Goats have been associated with fertility, sexuality, and virality throughout history. The goat became associated with these things because they were the first domesticated animals and goats start to reproduce at a young age. Goats also strive to find greener pastures where they can graze.
Goats have been linked to different deities around the world who were associated with love, fertility, and lust. The goat can show a strong desire for wanting something, such as getting out of the barn in the morning. They can also show a desire for a certain outcome.
Goat Totem Animal
A goat totem animal is thought to be a helpful symbol that can help you manifest what you hope will happen throughout your lifetime. The goat reminds us that you can achieve your dreams but you will have to persevere and overcome any fear.
The goat totem animal is a good lick talisman as well. You can overcome challenges by thinking of creative solutions and you can be persistent at achieving personal satisfaction.
Having a goat as your totem animal can show people that you have the independence to make significant profess when different areas of your life.
Goat Spirit Animal
Pros of a Goat Spirit Animal
- You want to improve and challenge yourself to accomplish your goals.
- You like to learn new skills in order to better yourself.
- You can have a calming effect on others and people can rely on you when things seem to be going wrong or when times are crazy.
- You are creative.
- During times of chaos, you can find order and when you’re feeling stressed, you can find a sense of serenity.
- You can persevere when times are difficult as you are able to remain motivated.
Cons of a Goat Spirit Animal
- You can be stubborn.
- You have a hard time in large groups as you prefer solitude.
- You can come across as looking cold and reserved.
Are Goats A Good Omen?
Seeing a goat is considered a good omen. However, if you see a dead goat, it’s thought to be a bad omen.
Satanic Goat Symbolism
French Occultist Eliphas Levi described Baphomet in the form of the Sabbatical Goat in his book Transcendental Magic. Baphomets is a fictitious pagan deity that was supposedly created by the Templar Knights.
After this, the goat became a central figure in satanism, as well as the embodiment of Satan, who personifies evil in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam—the three major Abrahamic religions.
Because of how the goat was portrayed, worshippers of evil started to use it in their writings.
Dead Goat Symbolism
If you see a dead goat, it can be a sign that you are about to encounter some sort of adversity. If you dream of a dead goat, it can be taken as a wake-up call that you are grieving.
It’s important to allow yourselves the space and time to heal. It can also refer to a traumatizing event, illness, or misfortune.
Goat Tattoo Meaning
Since a tattoo is personal to the person who has it, the meaning of a goat tattoo can vary. For some, a goat tattoo can mean the person who has it is a hard worker and has a dream they want to make a reality.
This person can also be someone who aims for the stars. Another goat tattoo meaning includes that there is faith in a higher power.
What Does A Goat Symbolize in the Bible?
In the Bible, the goat is mentioned in several scriptures, and there are various interpretations. In some scriptures, the goat represents vision, leadership, and sacrifice.
It is common for the goat to be associated with evil and many Christians believe that Jesus was against goats as it was associated with satan as the scripture depicted the goat as having satanic features.
What Does Seeing A Goat in Your Dream Mean?
If you see a goat in your dream, it can have a variety of different meanings and it’s unique to the person in the dream. To understand what a goat in your dream can mean, you should think about the emotions felt during the dream and your perception of goats.
Doing this can provide insight into what the dream is trying to tell you. For some, it might mean that you need to find an answer to something that has been bothering year.
It can be a warning to not be gullible as you need to be able to trust yourself and your abilities.
How To Interpret A Goat Encounter
- Slow Down – If you suddenly encounter a goat, it can be a sign to slow down. You need to be more in the moment or watch your step.
- Re-Examine What You Want – After a goat encounter, you can take the sighting as a sign to re-examine the things that you want. You should think about whether or not you really need whatever you are after.
- Have a Little More Fun – If a goat suddenly enters your life, it can be a sign that you need to have more fun. It can be easy to get caught up in work and other responsibilities.
What Should You Do When You See A Goat
When you see a goat, you should take a moment to think about what it could mean. You should the things the goat symbolizes to see if there is a related message you can take away from the encounter.
Goat Symbolism and Spiritual Meanings in Different Cultures
Ancient Egypt Goat Symbolism
In ancient Egypt, goats were symbolic of creativity and fertility. Khnum, a protector god, was depicted as part goat and part human.
He was associated and creativity and it was thought that he crafted children from clay. It was also believed that Khnum created the Nile River. Banebdhedet, another deity in lower Egypt, had a goat or a ram head.
Celtic Goat Symbol Meanings
In Celtic cultures, goats were viewed as symbols of virility and fertility. Cernunnos, one Celtic god, was depicted with horns and associated with goats.
There is also a story about Glaistig, a fairy who took on the form of a woman who was also half-goat. She was able to lure men by offering sexual favors.
The boat is also associated with puca, a creature that had human features as well as goat-like features. In Killorglin, Ireland, there is a festival called Puck Fair or the Fair of the He-goat where people honor the goat.
A young girl will crown a wild goat as the king of the town. This festival was a continuation of the Lughnasa festival.
Chinese Goat Symbolism
In China, goats are associated with revelry and merrymaking. The goat is also thought to be a lucky animal, and it is the eighth animal in the zodiac. The number 8 symbolizes prosperity and growth.
People who are born in the Year of the Goat are thought to be gentle and mild-mannered. They can also persevere during times.
There are stories about Yang Ching, a goat spirit that is known to protect people from wild animals. Yang Ching has goat ears, legs, and horns. Xie Xhi, a mythical goat, is described as having one horn, which is similar to a unicorn.
Goat Meaning in Greek and Roman Mythology
In Greek and Roman mythology, goats were important figures. Two Greek gods Bacchus and Dionysus were associated with goats as they rode in chariots pulled by goats.
In one story, it was said that Dionysus was a fan of goats and liked to listen to their songs. Dionysus is the god of wine, fertility, and enjoyment.
A Greek goddess named Almathea, on the other hand, was portrayed as a goat who had magical a horn. It’s believed that she raised Zeus on her own.
In a story, Amalthea nursed the Greek god Neus on Mount Aigaion, which translates to Goat Mountain. Amalthea’s horn became symbolic of abundance and good luck.
In Greek Mythology, satyrs were depicted as half-human and half-animal, such as a goat.
Goat Symbolism in the Hindu Culture
In Hinduism, there are a number of different goat deities or deities that are depicted with goats. Agni, the Vedic god of fire, has been depicted riding in a chariot that is pulled by goats. Kali, the goddess of doomsday and death, and another Hindu deity, is said to ride a black goat.
One of the goat deities, Naigamesha, is a goat-headed deity. Naigamesha is a protector of children’s fertility god. Hindus would honor and pray to this God if they wanted to become pregnant or if they wanted protection for their children.
Mesopotamia Goat Symbolism
In Mesopotamia, the ancient Sumerians had a creator who sometimes was depicted as a half-goat and half-fish. This creator was named Enki and it was thought that Enki ruled creativity, mischief, and water.
Native American Goat Symbols
In many Native American tribes, goats were a food source. Some tribes have goat clans, such as the Haida in the Pacific Northwest and the Hopi of the Southwest.
The Chilkat Tlingit People of Alaska view the mountain goat as a sacred animal. They use their hair to weave blankets, as well as other other textiles.
Goat Symbolism in Norse Mythology
In Norse mythology, goats are important figures. In one Nordic legend, Thor was pulled in a chariot by two goats named Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjostr. These goats were found when Thor was traveling with the god Loki to Midgard, the place where humans lived.
Along their journey, a poor farmer and his wife offered them the two goats. As they ate, they made sure to avoid breaking the goat’s bones and at the end of the meal, they put the bones in the goat’s fur. When the couple woke up the next day, the goats were alive and well again.
There is also a legend about a mythical goat named Heigrun. The goat was said to munch on the leaves of the Yggdrasil. This tree was also known as the Nordic Tree of Life.
Another story entails the Yule Goat, and according to the story, Father Christmas rides on a white goat.