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The hawk is a symbol of strength, foresight, and truth.
As a high-flying raptor, the hawk shares much of the symbolism of the eagle. It is associated with light, royalty, power, the sun, and watchfulness.
In ancient Egypt, the hawk was considered a royal bird. In Greco-Roman mythology, the hawk is the 'swift messenger of Apollo.
There are over 250 species of hawks around the world. Their tendency to seize prey with their sharp claws has caused them to be named after the Middle English word 'hafoc,' meaning "to grasp." The remarkable rapidity of their flight caused the Egyptians to make hawks the hieroglyphic emblem of the wind.
A fabulous animal, symbolically significant for its domination of both the earth and the sky - because of its lion's body and eagle's head and wings. It has roots in ancient Asia. In Greece the griffin was a symbol of vigilant strength; Apollo rode one, and griffins guarded the gold of the Hyperboreans of the far north. The griffin was also an embodiment of Nemesis, the goddess of retribution, and turned her wheel of fortune. In legend the creature was a symbol of arrogant pride, because Alexander the Great was said to have tried to fly on the backs of griffins to the edge of the sky.
Gryphons are portrayed with a lion's body, an eagle's head, long ears, and an eagle's claws, to indicate that one must combine intelligence and strength.
The Gryphon should also symbolize Chivalry, for through the Gryphon it is not dead; Loyalty, for the Gryphon is forever loyal to its mate and friends; Intelligence, for the Gryphon is learned and has a biting wit; Beauty, for no animal surpasses it; Grace, for it is lithe and agile; and Power, for it is a powerful being by nature. It could symbolize many other things as well, for it is a many faceted jewel in the treasure of life.
The raven, with its glistening purple-black plumage, large size and intelligence has inspired man from ancient times. He is regarded as an omen of both good fortune and bad.
The raven has not always been associated with death, spirits and darkness. Quite the contrary, the raven was believed by some to be the bringer of light, truth and goodness.
The ancient Greeks included a raven in their mythology. They used the terms for "crow" and "raven" interchangeably and in their stories, Corvus, the Crow, is allied with Apollo. It is Apollo whose chariot provides daily passage across the sky for the sun and it is under Apollo's influence that life was illuminated by truth and excellence. Perhaps it is this association with illumination that made prophecy one of Apollo's most important attributes.
Among the natives of the North American Pacific Coast, Raven is a hero, messenger, creator of the world, thief, and trickster. He taught the first humans how to care for themselves and make clothes, canoes, and houses.
The word "Mustang" comes from the Spanish word, mesteno, meaning "stray or ownerless" horse. This term aptly describes all wild horses in North America.
The modern horse evolved over three million years ago and then disappeared from this hemisphere 10,000 years ago. The horse returned to North America when explorers Cortes and DeSoto came mounted on magnificent Barbs from Morocco, Sorraia from Portugal and Andalusians from Spain.
The Pueblo Indians learned to ride and passed this skill on to other Indians. In 1680, the Indians revolted against the Spanish rule and the Spaniards left thousands of horses behind in their hasty retreat. The Indians could have rounded up these horses, but chose to let them run wild. It was much easier to raid the Spanish settlements and steal horses. In an effort to stop the Indian raids, the Spanish government shipped a steady flow of mounts to the New World. It was hoped that the Indians would catch the "wild" horses and leave the Spaniards alone.
Tens of thousands of the Spanish-bred horses were herded to the Rio Grande and turned loose in a 200-year period. These horses soon met up with draft horses and cowboy ponies that escaped from the ranchers and farmers arriving from the East. Their numbers exceeded two million by the year 1900.
Ranchers took to killing these horses to protect the range-land for their cattle. Fewer than 17,000 horses remained by the year 1970. Stating that Mustangs were "living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West," Congress passed the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act in 1971. An estimated 41,000 Mustangs roam public range today, but few if any have much original Spanish blood.
