What role play animals in cultures?
  • TenderBar
    18
    I read a question about the difference between animals and people. I think there is merely a difference in degree, but that aside.

    Many cultures have a connection with animals. The cow in India, the dog (or cat?) in ancient Egypt, or the eagle in America.

    What role do they play? What are the origins of their "use"? Is religion involved? Do they represent the people?
    TenderBar Options
  • Hermeticus
    181
    These animals that have been intertwined with human culture all have/had a strong practical implication on human life.

    Herding cattle became a major food source once agriculture was established.
    Dogs and Eagles were used for hunting purposes.
    Cats were used to control pests in settlements and food storage.
    Hermeticus Options
  • TenderBar
    18
    ↪Hermeticus


    You think animals are used only to eat them or as a tool?
    TenderBar Options
  • Hermeticus
    181
    You think animals are used only to eat them or as a tool? — TenderBar

    That is the origin of their use, yes. The impact they had on humanity, the improvements they brought to everyday life, got them deified along the line.
    Hermeticus Options
  • Agent Smith
    9.5k
    Animals and, for that matter, even plants play a crucial role in culture (and religion).

    The Occident.

    Animals: Wisdom (owl), Pride (peacock), Courage (lion), Cunning (fox), Innocence (lamb)

    Plants: Love (red rose)

    The Orient

    Animals: Bird (vanity), Snake (anger), Pig (ignorance) [Buddhism]

    Plants: Lotus (enlightenment/purity)
    Agent Smith Options
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