Deer Kangaroo,

 Deer have always been highly prized in ancient cultures because of the symbolism related to their antlers. A 'universally benevolent symbol' the deer figure in art is linked with spirituality, the east, dawn. light, creativity and purity.


The celts believed that deer were messengers from the otherworld, and they associated the animal with music and poetry. Its natural characteristics were the markers of its symbolism - abundance, watchfulness, grace and love.




For the chinese the deer was also associated with good luck and abundance. For the native 


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American the deer represented  kindness, caring and gentleness and for all cultures there is the idea that the deer and its gentle intuitive powers is a feminine symbol. For all of these traditional and happy associations, it is not surprising that we are attracted to the deer figure in art and craft.

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Australia and Antarctica are the only two places in the world where there are no native deer. Our closest icon is the kangaroo, which, like the deer have always been an important source of food and clothing for our indigenous people. 

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As a cultural symbol, the kangaroo is evident everywhere in our iconography. It is said that it graces the coat of arms with the emu as neither animal can walk backwards - we are therefore a country ever moving forward! But the reality is that both can actually move backward but don't very often. They were used because they are well known and big enough (in our imaginations) to hold up the coat of arms. There wouldn't be nearly as much gravitas to the shield if we had a budgerigar and a wombat holding it up!


Kangaroo as a symbol in other contexts suggest abundance, family and endurance. Some therapists regard that seeing a kangaroo in your dreams foretells unexpected and exciting trips. Lets hope after reading this blog, a kangaroo hops into your (and my) brain as we could all do with a holiday!