Meet the Aquarius Spirit Animals and What They Mean

Following Sagittarius, Aquarius is the 11th modern zodiac sign. Aquarius, along with the signs of Gemini and Libra, is ruled by the element of air. It represents one of the positive signs of the zodiac, with Saturn and Uranus as its ruling planets. Aquarius is one of the few signs in the zodiac represented by a human figure. Although an animal does not represent it, there are often many spirit animals associated with this sign. So, let’s dive into the details of Aquarius and any spirit animal guides related to those born under this western zodiac sign!

The Water Bearer, Aquarius, and Common Western Zodiac Spirit Animals

Aquarius Birthday: January 20 – February 18

The Aquarius zodiac emblem, known as “The Water Bearer,” depicts a human figure with a container for water. The Water Bearer provides figuratively for the world’s physical and spiritual needs. The vessel’s water wipes away the old to make place for the new. The Aquarius zodiac sign is progressive and eager to expand. Aquarians have a knack for imparting information to others in a way that is both engaging and informative.

Many distinctive features of this sign can be traced back to its dual planetary rulers, Saturn and Uranus. Saturn’s keen awareness of the limitations of time and matter provides our world with shape and significance. It’s no surprise that the planet Uranus is linked to lofty ideals like enlightenment, progressiveness, objectivity, innovation, and ingenuity. It stands for the flash of insight that leads to novel ideas.

In the following sections, we will look at the positive and negative characteristics of Aquarius to get a better sense of this incredibly enlightened sign! First, let’s start by looking at the top three animals commonly associated with Libra in Western society.

1. The Spider

The spider is an excellent symbol for Aquarians since it exemplifies independence, originality, patience, complexity, and reserve. It’s true that Aquarians can shine in social settings, but they’re also excellent individuals. They have a very unconventional lifestyle that few people outside of their group can ever fully comprehend. Artistic expression and original thought are strongly linked to the Aquarius zodiac sign. The spider’s innovative hunting strategy has also made it a symbol of originality. The ingenuity with which they design webs has always amazed us.

Spiders spin their webs methodically, confident that their efforts would pay off in the end, much like Aquarians approach to their plans. The Aquarius zodiac sign is arguably the second most complicated after the Scorpio sign. Like humans, spiders embody a vast range of energy. Similarly, like Aquarius, they can strike a balance between darkness and light. Both spiders and those born under the sign of Aquarius can be sociable, but they also tend to themselves at a distance. They also have an aloof trait that prevents them from fully opening up to people.

2. The Honey Badger

If there is one thing notable about the honey badger, its that they are certainly not weak or helpless. As a result, they are less emotional or fearful than most other animals. A lot of Aquarius people may relate to this since they, too, take a rational, impartial approach to their lives and try to suppress their feelings as much as possible. Much like Aquarius, honey badgers possess a strong will of their own. They are more concerned with acting according to their own whims than keeping up with the rest of the kingdom. Even though Aquarius can be sensitive to the feelings of others and concerned about the welfare of society, this sign is also determined to pursue its own goals and stay apart from the pack.

3. The Zebra

The zebra certainly is a unique species. Did you know that no two zebras have identical stripes? There markings are as unique as a human fingerprint. The zebra’s distinctive appearance makes it a good symbol for Aquarius. Although they have a horse-like build, their bright colors and unique markings make them stand out. Like Aquarians, they may appear normal on the outside, yet deep down they are as special as a zebra. Aquarians have a reputation for wearing clothes that are as distinct as a zebra’s skin and fall well outside the norm. Aquarius doesn’t purposefully draw attention to themselves, instead it’s because it’s simply in their nature.

Positive Aquarius Traits

Intellectual and Articulate

You’d probably get along well with Aquarians if you have a respect for intelligence. Even the most slack-jawed Aquarians can get much done with minimal exertion. Aquarians are known for their eloquence in communication thanks to their sharp minds. They might be quiet and reserved, or they may be outspoken; either way, people are drawn to what they have to say. Aquarians who are normally reserved can suddenly open up about a subject that particularly interests them. They are a wealth of information and wisdom.

Sensible-Yet-Rebellious Humanitarians

Aquarians are smart in business, love, and other areas. This makes them good leaders. Aquarius values leadership. They’re motivated, inventive, full of original ideas, and prefer taking a step back to make decisions, which ultimately propels them forward. Aquarians are humanitarians with an insatiable urge to help others. They empower future generations while also getting to the root of problems.

They’re unconventional and hardly ever follow a crowd. They welcome change and must always be improving. They’re also quite unpredictable, consequently leaving you wondering what to anticipate. Aquarians are clever, shy, and like march to the beat of their own drum. They are true rebels, but not rude. They’re typically friendly and easygoing. Aquarius’s qualities show just how dynamic this sign truly is.

Inner Oriented Yet Highly Magnetic

People born under the sign of Aquarius tend to focus inward. Aquarians are unusual in that they like being alone, whether it be for self-discovery or simply to bask in the solitude. Contrarily, they thrive in a crowded environment and perform at their best when exposed to many people. Because of their extraordinary intelligence, they are also great company. They typically surround themselves with intellectually stimulating company. Those who are lucky enough to count an Aquarius among their circle of friends, family, or significant other know that as soon as they gain their trust, it will be for the long run. Friends and lovers alike are also carefully selected by Aquarians. It’s tough to win them over, but once it happens, you’ll have a companion you can count on for life!

Besides being likeable, a recent study on zodiac signs found that they have stage presence to boot! Aquarius has an infectiously cheerful outlook that shows through in everything from their laughter to their ability to make others happy. This is also the zodiac sign most identified with humanitarianism.

Famous Aquarians include: Justin Timberlake, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, Alicia Keys, and Thomas Edison

Negative Aquarius Traits

Unemotional and Guarded

For an Aquarius, logic and reason are far more important than feelings when dealing with a problem. Naturally, not all people are as reason oriented as they are. As a result, they have trouble connecting with others and producing creative solutions because they put too much stock in facts and logic. This can make an Aquarius come across as cold and heartless. They usually retain their distance from others. For this sign, it may take much more time than others in the zodiac to be open and let their guard down. Although they may secretly wish they could love like other signs, they know there’s a strong possibility they can’t without putting up barriers.

Closed-Minded and Stubborn

Aquarius is known for its unwavering conviction. This renders them fantastic teammates when you’re advocating for human rights, but it also guarantees that you’ll be collaborating with a headstrong person who might not consider your viewpoint. Although they want to believe they are the type of individual that is willing to consider alternative points of view, they are usually only interested in confirming their own. Also, since Aquarians want more than just physical independence, they will often fight against conventional wisdom. This makes it exceedingly difficult to argue with an Aquarius or to get them to see your perspective.

Estranged and Paradoxical

Aquarius’ free-spirited attitude fosters “no ties attached” living. Their capacity to remain disconnected might alienate even close friends. They often conduct wandering lives, preferring to be by themselves. Even while in a group, they strive to stand out as a unique individual. Paradoxes are interesting, but Aquarians can be hypocrites. They seek an intimate relationship yet try and keep casual to retain their individuality. This sign’s contradictions aren’t intentional, which might be frustrating. Seemingly open-minded and progressive, yet stubborn and guarded, this sign makes its complicated personality seem effortless.

How to Be the Best Aquarius

Career

Astrology can shed light on your untapped potential and help you capitalize on your skills. You can find your perfect partner in love, work, and life with the help of this tool. For example, employment fields involving social work, astronomy, art, psychology, and project management are particularly well-suited to Aquarians. Because of their independent nature, Aquarians don’t always do well in structured environments. The best job for an Aquarius is one that enables them to apply their devoted energy toward helping the masses.

Love

Aquarians are most compatible romantically with other Aquarians, Geminis, and Librans. This is because they are looking for a partner that respects and appreciates their individuality and dedication as much as they do. Because of their shared ardor for life and enthusiasm for the here and now, fire sign Sagittarius is also a solid pairing. Cancer, Virgo, Pisces, and Taurus aren’t terrific partners for Aquarians because they tend to misunderstand each other too much and end up causing more conflict than they can resolve.

Life

For the Water Bearer, success in life depends on whether they are making a positive difference for others. They get a kick out of helping others and the planet. They should just take things as they come and hang out with individuals that understand and respect their individuality and pace of life. It’s crucial that their inner circle remains small and trusting. It’s important to get out there and have some experiences to broaden one’s horizons. Aquarians shouldn’t let anyone else get in the way of their aspirations. Finally, it is essential for Aquarians to keep an open mind so that they don’t get stuck or isolated. They should avoid making snap judgments and look at things from multiple angles before settling on a course of action.

Why Is the Water Bearer the Sign of Aquarius?

The Latin name for Aquarius means “water bearer.” The constellation Aquarius is among the earliest astronomical objects known to man. Greek astronomer Ptolemy categorized it about the second century.

Aquarius is represented as a young man who pours water from an antique. As the son of King Tros, Ganymede is linked to Aquarius in Greek mythology. It is said that Zeus fell for Ganymede’s carefree allure. Therefore, Apollon decided to transform him into an eagle and bring him to Mount Olympus so he could serve as the gods’ cupbearer.

In Babylonian myth, Aquarius is the personification of God Ea, also known as “the Great One.” According to Egyptian mythology, Aquarius is the God of the Nile. It seems many cultures have attached varying meanings to this constellation.

Additional Spirits Animals for Aquarius Based On Popular Beliefs and Traditions

Additional zodiac spirit animals that work well with those born under the Aquarius sign are listed below. The upcoming posts will go into further depth on these common zodiac systems.

Chinese Astrology

Each of the twelve years in the ancient Chinese calendar cycle has a corresponding zodiac sign and set of characteristics. Some people believe that each of the twelve Western zodiac signs has a corresponding animal in the Chinese zodiac that is their “twin” and is different from their birth year animal. In the following part, we will discuss Aquarius’s “twin” in the Chinese Zodiac.

Chinese Zodiac Twin for Aquarius: The Tiger

The tiger is one of China’s most popular and widely recognized emblems of good fortune. In Chinese culture, the tiger is revered as the greatest guardian of the house and family for its raw, unbridled strength. The fire of the tiger burns bright; it is ferocious, brave, and quick to respond. These Chinese creatures are also known for their kindness and generosity. They would give up every cent for a cause since the safety of wealth doesn’t matter much to them.

Celtic Astrology

Celtic astrology is like Western astrology in many respects. Due to the little discrepancies between the Celtic and Aquarian calendars, knowing exactly where your birth date falls below is essential for determining your Celtic spirit animal.

1.            Celtic Zodiac Twin for Aquarius: The Stag (December 24 – January 20)

If your birthday is January 20th as an Aquarius, the Stag is your Celtic totem animal. Stag-born individuals have the talent of making their dreams come true. They put in a lot of time and effort, and they typically end up with a successful outcome. The stag has high regard for integrity and views it as a virtue worth cultivating.

2.            Celtic Zodiac Twin for Aquarius: The Cat (January 21 – February 17)

The cat is the Celtic spirit animal for anyone born between 21 January and 17 February. The cat is the most common Celtic spirit animal for Aquarians. The Celtic mythological cat is a swift thinker and a quick runner. They use their ESP and intuition to construct meaning of the most perplexing situations. Cats often have unique perspectives and don’t always see things as others do. Cat people are the ones you call when you require a new perspective. Cat is perceptive, resourceful, and expressive in interpersonal interactions.

3.            Celtic Zodiac Twin for Aquarius: The Snake (February 18 – March 17)

If your birthdate is February 18th and you’re an Aquarius, the snake is your Celtic totem animal. The snake can remain calm under pressure but is always analyzing human behavior and the world around him to find answers to the big questions we all have. A snake has a gift for words and is a great speaker, writer, and/or musician. The adaptability of the snake is its most striking quality. They can change with the tides and often shed layers to transcend much more often than others.

Native American Astrology

Dates for each sign are the same in both Western and Native American astrology, but the animals associated with each sign are different. Read on to discover which Native American animal best represents your Aquarius personality!

Native American Aquarius Twin: The Otter

Native Americans considered the otter to be the spirit animal of Aquarians. The otter’s unique behavior sets it apart from other animals. They are unusually original thinkers whose perspectives on life are often misunderstood by the general populace despite their warmth, independence, and friendliness. As highly perceptive beings, they often see past surface appearances. They have a high degree of natural creativity and are never hesitant to try new things. It is true that otters make wonderful friends and partners, as they are always attentive to their others’ problems with care and consideration.

In Conclusion

Because of their mysterious nature, Aquarians can take inspiration from a wide range of animals. Among these are the spider, honey badger, zebra, tiger, stag, cat, snake, and otter! Know that these are symbolic representations of your personality derived from conventional astrological wisdom and mainstream psychological studies.

There are many kinds of animals in the spirit world, and each one can represent a different facet of your identity or set of experiences. Dreams or real-life encounters with specific animals can also indicate spirit animals attached to your innate being. Hopefully, I you enjoyed learning more about your zodiac sign and the many animals associated with it, regardless of how you go about finding your spirit animal(s)!

Bonus: Where Did the Idea of Spirit Animals Originate?

Astrology, or the philosophy of stars, dates back as far as ancient Greece and Babylon. It was defined and developed by the mathematician and astrologer Ptolemy in his work Tetrabiblos, published around 1,800 years ago.

The idea of spirit animals is a more modern development, though certain indigenous cultures, such as Native Americans, regarded certain animals as guides to protect them or animals whose traits they shared, as well as animals they may just admire. 

In the 1990s, Pagan and Wiccan enthusiasts adopted this way of looking at animals for themselves, viewing them as spiritual guides or totems that take on animal forms. As the internet advanced, these groups created quizzes to help curious folks discover who their spirit animals are.

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