Since the days of pre-history, before people could read and write, humankind has had an affinity with the starts and the animals. The earliest records of our symbolism and art include cave drawings and paintings of many animals, and ancient tablets depicting a fascination with the starry heavens above. This inner relationship is tied for many, to the spirit and the soul, even today.
To those that feel the kinship, spirit animals serve as mirrors, reflecting our inner strengths, challenges, desires, and mysteries. In the west, many consider the spirit animals to be relational to our Astrological Zodiac signs. In this post we are concerned with the the Western or Greek Zodiac and in particular the Aries Spirit Animals. I’ll also take a look at spirit animals from many different cultures and histories, and how they relate to the dates and personalities associated with Aries.
Aries Spirit Animal – The Ram
Now, many different cultures associate different animals to the personality traits we see in Aries. Other astrological models, particularly the Chinese, also represent different time periods with different animals. The bear for example in Norse culture, displays Aries’ strength, while the fox in Celtic lore can be seen in the cleverness and cunning of the Aries sign.
There is perhaps no other though, that represents most if not all of these traits together so vividly as the ram. Both good and challenging traits.
Symbolism and Personality Traits
The ram is tenacious and stubborn, but confident and brave. They can be impulsive and aggressive, but also determined and strong.
The Ram is not merely a creature of the meadows that we might immediately associate with sheep, but a symbol of raw, untamed energy, leadership, and assertiveness. They are known for their fearless charging and strong-willed nature, paralleling the Aries’ unyielding spirit and leadership.
Utilizing the Ram’s Traits in Life
Embracing the Ram’s energy means harnessing its assertiveness, leadership, and initiative while tempering its more aggressive and spontaneous tendencies with wisdom and consideration for others.
Facts About Aries
Calendar Range and Elemental Sign
- Date: March 21st to April 19th
- Element: Fire
Aries, the first sign in the Zodiac, heralds new beginnings from March 21st to April 19th. Why is it the first sign if it’s not in January you might ask? Well, much like with the Chinese Zodiac, the Western/Greek Astrological Zodiac model does not begin with the Gregorian Calendar year. It predates both the Gregorian and the Julian calendar. Rather the astrological year begins with the Spring Equinox in March, and thus Aries is the first sign of the Zodiac.
This Cardinal Fire sign, ruled by the dynamic Mars, ignites the cycle of the zodiac with a burst of energetic spring vitality and awakening.
Personality Traits: A Double-Edged Sword
Positive Traits: Leadership, bravery, energy, and pioneering spirit.
- Leadership
Those born under the sign of Aries have a tendency towards natural leadership, full of initiative and determination. They prefer to take charge rather than follow and their leadership style is marked by dynamism and a willingness to take risks.
- Bravery
Courage runs through the veins of Aries. They face both physical and emotional challenges head-on, often without hesitation, driven by their elemental inner fire. However, this fearlessness can sometimes verge on recklessness if not balanced with caution and foresight.
- Energy
Those of the Aries sign have a contagious energy that can both drive them, and motivate others. They are the rising zodiac, the awakening spring embodied, often the first to act and the last to tire. They can achieve much, but need to learn to breathe and slowdown sometimes to avoid burnout.
- Pioneering Spirit
Always at the forefront of innovation, people of Aries thrives on exploration and the thrill new things and places. They’re trailblazers, happiest when venturing into the unknown.
Challenges: Impulsivity, stubbornness, and a tendency towards aggression when challenged.
- Impulsivity
People of Aries are known for their spontaneity and quick decisions. This impulsive nature allows for bold moves and fresh experiences, but can often lead to unnecessary risk or overlooking important details.
- Stubbornness
When people of Aries set their minds on something, they stick to it tenaciously. This stubbornness can help them stay true to their goals, but can also make them resistant to advice or new perspectives.
- Aggression
While Aries individuals are not inherently aggressive, they possess a strong assertive streak and can become combative when challenged or frustrated. This can be a powerful tool, but when assertiveness turns to unchecked aggression, it can harm relationships and close off opportunities.
Compatibility with Other Signs
Aries often find harmony with other fire signs like Leo and Sagittarius, while sometimes clashing with the steadfastness of earth signs like Taurus.
Many Cultures With Spirit Animals
- Celtic: The Fox & The Bull
In Celtic Astrology, the alignment of the signs is different to those in the Zodiac. Within the Astrological phase of Aries, two of the Celtic spirit animals can be found. These are the fox and the bull. The Fox with its cunning and strategic mind, mirrors the Aries’ cleverness and adaptability. The Bull on the other hand mirrors the fierceness, bravery and steadfast nature of Aries.
The Celtic phase of the fox spirit animal is between March 18th and April 15th, and the bull is between April 16th and May 12th. So the fox may also be found for a few days in Pisces and the bull for a few days in Taurus.
- Native American: The Falcon
The Falcon, revered in Native American culture for its keen sight and swift action, reflects the Aries’ ability to act decisively and see their goals clearly. They are seen as wise and visionary, offering guidance and a way forward.
The Native American Zodiac and the Western Zodiac align to the same phases throughout the year, but are represented by different animals. The Native American Zodiac is represented by spirit animals deeply rooted in the history, heritage and habitat of the people.
The connection between spirit animal and people in this culture is hugely significant to the culture and to understanding people, their strengths and their challenges.
- Norse: The Bear
In Norse culture, birth runes hold significant spiritual and cultural value, much like spirit animals do in various other cultures. Norse history and lore does revere some animals as sacred and these, along with the symbolic representation of cosmic forces and alignments with your birth runes can help to find the Norse spirit animal twin.
For Aries, the most aligned Norse birth rune would be Uruz (strength, wild ox): The rune of raw strength and endurance. This rune could be related to the bear or the wolf, animals known for their strength and resilience. The bear particularly, echoes the Aries’ courageous and pioneering spirit.
- Chinese: The Dragon
The Dragon, a symbol of strength, luck, and power in Chinese culture, aligns with the Aries’ bold and leadership-oriented nature. Chinese Astrology align different years to different animals, rather than different stages within a year. Culturally though, the dragon is the mythical animal that twins up with the personality traits we see in Aries.
- Mayan: The Jaguar
In terms of Mayan astrology, there are 20 signs, and they change each day. Aligning the Mayan and Greek Zodiac is no easy task as they both follow different methods of measurement. While the Greek/Western Zodiac is based on a 12 calendar month yearly cycle, the Mayan model is based on the Tzolk’in and the Haab. These combine to create a 52-year cycle known as the Calendar Round.
The Tzolk’in calendar consists of 260 days and includes 20 day signs and 13 Galactic Numbers, making a 260-day cycle. The Haab is a 365-day solar calendar which is made up of 18 months of 20 days each and one month of 5 ‘nameless’ days.
Despite these differences, some parallels can be drawn based on the personality traits and descriptions assigned to signs in each system. For example, someone born under the Western sign of Aries might find similarities with the Mayan sign of Ch’en, which represents leadership, strong will, and new beginnings.
The spirit animal that fits best into Aries and Ch’en, would be the Jaguar, symbolizing strength and power. This reflects the fearless and dominant characteristics of both signs.
Other Animals That Embody The Spirit Of Aries
Characteristics: Fierce, independent, and confident.
Aries Alignment: The Tiger’s fearless and dominant nature aligns seamlessly with Aries’ bold and leadership-oriented personality.
Characteristics: Sharp, observant, and independent.
Aries Alignment: The Hawk’s keen sight and swift action mirror Aries’ decisiveness and clear vision towards their goals.
Characteristics: Fast, focused, and majestic.
Aries Alignment: The Cheetah’s speed and focus resonate with Aries’ energetic and goal-oriented nature.
Characteristics: Energetic, light, and agile.
Aries Alignment: The Hummingbird’s boundless energy and positivity reflect Aries’ enthusiastic and optimistic spirit.
- The Wolf
Characteristics: Social, loyal, and aggressive when needed.
Aries Alignment: The Wolf’s pack leadership and loyalty mirror Aries’ social intelligence and commitment to their kin.
Why Do People Seek Meaning in Spirit Animals?
Spirit animals offer a tangible connection to the intangible aspects of what we perceive in our spiritual selves and the universe. They can granting insights into our personalities, behaviours, and life paths. Those that connect in this way can often feel a kinship, a solidarity with animals whose traits we can see in ourselves. The courage of a lion, or the strength of a bear for example.
While not all Zodiac signs are symbolically represented by an animal, they each have traits and personalities that can be seen in animals across the kingdom. That is at the heart of what it means to seek meaning in a spirit animal.
The Essence of a Spirit Animal
A spirit animal is not just a symbol but a guide. Recognising the animal inside us offers lessons, wisdom, and insights to characteristics that we might see within ourselves or aspire to embody. It’s a spiritual ally, accompanying us through life’s adventures and challenges, whispering wisdom, and providing strength. They can help us to understand and to accept elements of our personalities.
Aries not your sign? Check out our other Zodiac Spirit Animal pages to find your sign. Not all spirit animals are associated to the zodiac though, so I’ve also put together some posts for specific spirit animals independent to their astrological signs that you may wish to check out too!