Gorilla Spirit Animal Symbolism & Meaning

Written by Crystal
Updated: June 7, 2023
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Gorilla Spirit Animal infographic

Gorillas are mighty, but their personalities are surprisingly gentle. They can even be shy. These magnificent great apes have a lot of lessons to teach us. They provide powerful lessons in acting with integrity, compassion, and honor.

Keep reading to uncover everything about gorilla spirit animal symbolism and more.

Gorilla as a Spirit Animal

Western lowland gorilla

If the gorilla is your spirit animal, you are a great communicator.

©Philippe Clement/Shutterstock.com

If the gorilla is your spirit animal, you are a great communicator. Gorillas live in groups called troops. On average, troops have nine members. They communicate using sounds and gestures. They’re very attuned to group dynamics and the energy of each situation. If the gorilla is your spirit animal, you are also a brilliant communicator.

If you’re still unsure if the gorilla is your spirit animal, consider these other signs.

  • You are gentle but have a strong personality
  • Sometimes you can be shy
  • You are very intelligent
  • You feel most at ease in nature
  • Whether writing or speaking, you communicate with clarity
  • Leading comes naturally

The gorilla spirit animal is all about strength. This doesn’t just refer to physical strength but also emotional and mental strength. If the gorilla is your spirit animal, you are often the rock for others during tough times. You are reliable and always there when someone needs you. Your presence provides comfort and support. People see you as a leader because of your strength and your integrity and honor.

If you identify with these qualities, then it’s likely the gorilla is your spirit animal. Now that you know more about the gorilla spirit animal, it’s time to explore what this powerful symbol means to you.

What the Gorilla Teaches Us

Gorillas teach us to be present in every moment. That doesn’t mean you have to enjoy every second of your life. But instead, notice everything. Be a keen observer on your journey. By taking in your surroundings, you’ll begin to connect with your environment and the world around you in a more profound way.

The gorilla also teaches us about being gentle. They are incredibly strong, but they don’t use their strength to hurt others. When interacting with those around them, gorillas are very calm and loving creatures. They serve as a reminder to balance power and authority with fairness and love.

Understanding Gorilla Symbolism

Gorilla bite force - gorilla resting

Gorilla symbolism is also connected to wisdom, loyalty, and protection.

©AB Photographie/Shutterstock.com

Gorillas have been popping up in stories for centuries! Homer even mentioned gorillas in The Odyssey. They’ve been around in popular culture for just as long. The most famous gorilla is probably King Kong. The infamous giant gorilla was initially gentle but became aggressive. 

More recently, gorillas have become synonymous with environmentalism. They are often used in ads and commercials to raise awareness about reforestation and the dangers of deforestation.

Gorilla symbolism is also connected to wisdom, loyalty, and protection. Gorillas are gentle giants who are fiercely loyal to their troops. They will protect those they love at all costs. This fierce loyalty makes them excellent spirit animals for those seeking guidance and protection on their journey.

In Greek mythology, gorillas were mischievous characters. They were known for stealing food and causing trouble. However, they were also known for their strength and power.

Are Gorillas a Good Omen?

Seeing a gorilla is a good omen. But it can be a bad one too. It depends on what belief resonates with you the most. In some cultures, an angry gorilla means bad luck. Most likely because angry gorillas are intimidating, and nobody wants to deal with that!

Seeing a gorilla is a good omen when the gorilla is at ease. In some stories, the gorilla foretells a new friendship about to begin. Another interpretation is that a new family member is coming. This could be a baby or a pet.

What Does It Mean if You See a Gorilla?

If you keep seeing gorillas in your waking life, it’s a sign that you need to take notice of your instincts. This is a time to trust your gut and go with your gut feeling. Your intuition will guide you to the right path.

Now that you know more about what it means to see a gorilla pay attention the next time one crosses your path. Take note of the details. Even if you’re noticing gorilla toys, notice how you feel when you see the gorillas. What was going through your head when the sighting took place? The more you notice what’s happening, the clear your message will be.

What Does It Mean if You Dream About a Gorilla

Gorilla coming down the path

Gorillas can represent a time of acceptance, surrender, and healing.

©iStock.com/dbar99

If you dream about a gorilla, it means you need to awaken the champion within. Gorilla dreams encourage us to move past who we think we are. Let go of limiting beliefs and embrace your power. After all, gorillas are incredibly strong creatures!

Gorillas can also represent a time of acceptance, surrender, and healing. These soulful creatures are intelligent and wise. By being still more often and listening to your body and feelings, you can tap into your gorilla wisdom.

Questions To Ask When You See a Gorilla

When you keep seeing gorillas, you should ask yourself a few discovery questions. Try asking yourself:

  • Is someone bullying you?
  • Is there an area of your life that’s out of balance?
  • Have you been speaking up for yourself?
  • Do you feel like you’re being true to yourself?
  • Are you in touch with your emotions?
  • Do you need to let go of something?

By asking these questions, you can get a better understanding of what the gorilla is trying to tell you. Once you know that, it’ll be easier to take the necessary steps forward.

Positive Attributes of Gorilla Energy

When the gorilla is your spirit animal, you’re wise, gentle, powerful, and so much more! Here are some of the lesser-known positive attributes of the gorilla:

  • Quirky sense of humor
  • Expert engineer
  • Great memory

Gorillas have been known to play practical jokes on each other. They also enjoy tickling each other and making funny faces. If you have the gorilla as your spirit animal, you probably have a quirky sense of humor too.

When you relate to gorilla energy, problem-solving is a breeze. Gorillas are excellent engineers. They build their nests high up in trees and use large leaves to cover themselves from the rain. They also use sticks and stones to make their nests more comfortable.

Gorillas also have great memories. They can remember faces and places for years. If you have a gorilla as your spirit animal, you probably remember a lot more than most people.

Negative Attributes of Gorilla Energy

Gorilla - Gorilla Howling and Showing Teeth

While gorillas are gentle creatures, they can also be aggressive.

©BDMPhoto/Shutterstock.com

Like all animals, gorillas have both positive and negative attributes. Here are some of the negative attributes of gorilla energy:

  • Angry
  • Aggressive
  • Lazy
  • Messy

While gorillas are gentle creatures, they can also be aggressive. When you have the gorilla as your spirit animal, you might quickly hide fear with anger. You may even try to control everything and everyone around you. By embracing your gentle side, you can begin to let go of those urges.

Gorillas can also be lazy. They spend most of their time eating and sleeping. It’s important to find a balance between work and play. If you have the gorilla as your spirit animal, you might also need to work on being more organized.

Similar Spirit Animals 

Who else has a similar energy to the gorilla? Here are some other spirit animals with similar qualities:

Elephants and bears are gentle giants, and hippo types can relate to being lazy. However, these animals are also very intelligent and have great memories. Plus, if you have a hippo friend, they’ll stand up for you no matter what.

Opposing Spirit Animals 

Gorillas don’t usually get along well with giraffe types. This is because giraffes tend to be more neat and tidy, and gorillas are messier. Other opposing spirit animals are:

The tiger, wolf, and lion are powerful and aggressive predators. If gorillas and tigers try to be friends, they may find themselves in competition all the time. However, they can help each other learn to control their aggression.

Choosing the Gorilla as Your Spirit Guide 

If you have the gorilla spirit animal, you’re a charismatic and confident leader. You radiate strength, power, and courage. But you also have a soft side. You’re gentle, loving, and compassionate. You care deeply for those around you and will do anything to protect them.

No matter what the gorilla symbolizes for you, there’s no doubt it’s a powerful animal. If you’ve been noticing gorillas more often, take some time to reflect on what this creature means to you. Chances are, it has an important message for your journey.

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © CXI/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Crystal is a dedicated writer at A-Z Animals, focusing on topics related to mammals, insects, and travel. With over a decade of experience in the world of research and writing, she also fulfills the role of a skilled video and audio engineer. Residing in sunny Florida, alligators are Crystal's favorite animal.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. Dr. Steven Farmer, Available here: https://drstevenfarmer.com/blog/
  2. Ted Andrews (2022) Animal-Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small/ Ted Andrews. Published Woodbury, Minnesota by Llewellyn Publications
  3. International Association for the Study of Dreams (2022) www.asdreams.org