9 Spiritual Meanings of Octopus

Octopuses have fascinated humans for thousands of years.

These eight-legged, spineless creatures have many fascinating characteristics and are among the most intelligent underwater creatures.

Octopus sightings are rare. But whether you meet one in your dreams or in your waking hours, this underwater creature comes to teach you important life lessons.

Octopuses are known to be intelligent, confident, protective, and cunning. They know how to seize opportunities without putting themselves in danger. They also know how to get out of difficult situations

fast.

You are in the right place to learn more about octopus symbolism and its meaning. This article explains the different meanings behind encountering an octopus.

Without further ado, let’s get started!

Octopus Symbolism

Popular culture in Hollywood movies portrays the octopus as a creepy and evil deep-sea creature. But in many other cultures, this eight-legged animal is considered a good omen.

The ancient Japanese tribes used the octopus as a sex symbol, with the eight tentacles each representing water-bound maidens. The tribesmen also believed that the octopus’ ability to shapeshift meant that it could transform into a human in order to seduce women.

In Chinese folklore, the octopus is said to have healing powers. In particular, it was said that drawing the animal on a piece of paper and placing the paper on an earthen stove could cure whooping cough.

According to African mythology, the octopus is very similar to the snail. Both animals are slow runners, but also determined. Stories depicting the octopus have been used to teach the importance of “going slow but sure”.

Among the Celts and Scandinavians, the octopus was represented as a swastika, symbolizing healing, good luck, and longevity. This was long before the swastika was adopted as a Nazi symbol.

All in all, the octopus is considered a versatile, intelligent and resourceful animal. People with the octopus as their animal spirit tend to have an uncanny ability to get themselves out of trouble.

Octopus people use stealth mode and silence to win in difficult situations. They make the most of the opportunities that come their way, but they’re also resourceful enough to make room for themselves.

Now let’s take a look at the specific octopus symbolism and meaning.

What does an octopus symbolize?

1. Intelligence and resourcefulness

One of the fascinating facts about the octopus is its body-to-brain relationship. This invertebrate has a large brain in its head and even more brain neurons in its eight tentacles.

This is clearly a very smart animal, to say the least.

The octopus’ intelligence is evident in many of its amazing behaviors. For example, in a precarious position, it can change color and shape. Or move from one underwater cave to another without your predator noticing.

The octopus is a great symbol of intelligence. Octopus people are smart, resourceful, and always seem to get what they want.

When an octopus appears to you, it’s a reminder that you can use your own intelligence to get what you want.

Instead of giving up in the game of life, you must be imaginative and find ways to succeed. Harness the energy of your octopus spirit animal for intelligent ideas on how to maneuver through life.

2. Unpredictable and cunning

An interesting feature of the octopus is its ability to camouflage itself and change shape when needed.

When an octopus appears in your dreams or in real life, whether in an art form or in its natural habitat, it is a message that you have what it takes to pull yourself out of any challenging situation you may find yourself in.

Use the energy of the octopus as your spirit animal for insight and ideas on how to solve problems and stay ahead of your enemies.

3. Growth and Healing

Another interesting fact about the octopus is its ability to regrow its limbs. Whether its limb is bitten off or injured, the octopus can grow a new one!

Because of this, the octopus symbolizes growth and healing. If you are going through a difficult time and an octopus catches your attention, this is a message that can heal you and even grow from your experience.

It may not always seem like it, but difficult situations are some of our best teachers. We often have to go through a tough time to learn great lessons and fuel our growth.

The best part is that healing is always at hand – you have to take it and embrace it. Where you feel hurt, you can feel peace. Where there is anger you can replace it with forgiveness, and where there is fear you can find courage.

Like the octopus, you have the power to heal, regenerate, and grow.

4. You have what it takes to make changes

Do you want to make some changes in your life but are too scared?

When the octopus appears in your experience, it sends you a message that you have everything you need to make and embrace change.

The octopus is versatile. It changes its appearance and reacts accordingly to the environment.

It does not hesitate and does not doubt itself; it does what needs to be done to survive and prolong its life.

This eight-legged invertebrate teaches you not to be afraid of change or when the situation calls for it.

If you need to change your look for any reason, do it. If you want to change your career, your friends, your house, your location, or your car, you have what it takes to make those changes and build the life you want.

5. Give to others and protect what matters most to you

The octopus is the epitome of what it means to be selfless for those you care about most.

Shortly after mating, the male octopus dies, leaving the mother octopus fiercely protective of her eggs until hatching.

It is common for the female octopuses guarding their eggs to refrain from hunting for food to ensure their young are well protected at all times.

People with the octopus spirit animal are usually giving and protecting their loved ones. They are also involved in charitable causes, giving their time, efforts, and possessions to deserving individuals and organizations.

The octopus is a reminder to be more protective of your loved one and the things that matter most to you.

If you have fallen behind in this regard, now is a good time to give more of yourself to people and causes that are important to you. In a world full of self-centered people, there is no reason to hold back.

Of course, you should also remember to take care of yourself. Don’t give so much of yourself that you forget to take care of yourself.

6. Conscious perception and intuition

The octopus has thousands of neurons throughout its body, making it an incredibly sensitive animal.

With many neurons all over its tentacles, the octopus experiences its environment in a very deep and personal way. Every movement, every sound, every touch and every smell is intensely perceived throughout the body.

The octopus’ complete awareness of its surroundings symbolizes a deep, conscious sense of self. Feeling every aspect of your surroundings also means trusting your intuition to understand what is going on.

When the octopus appears in your experience, you are encouraged to sharpen and trust your intuition. It is also a sign of the importance of practicing self-confidence.

With confidence comes emotional intelligence. This is the ability to better understand others and situations in order to find the best way to move forward.

Emotional intelligence can help you draw people closer to you and get them on your side. It can help you minimize conflict and form better bonds with others.

The octopus is also a reminder to trust your intuition. Your intuition is the way the universe speaks to you, helping you better understand situations, places, and people.

Everyone has intuition, but not everyone has sharpened it enough. The good news is that you can empower your intuition and use it as a guide for your journey through the world.

7. Cheating and infidelity

Although the octopus has many positive symbolisms and meanings, it can also be a bad omen. If you dream of octopus, it could symbolize infidelity or some form of cheating.

This could mean that you need to pay more attention to your close relationships. Like the squid, you should trust your intuition.

An octopus knows how to trick its predators and escape from danger. It can also change its shape and color when needed to blend in with its surroundings.

It’s not always easy to spot when someone is lying to you. Scammers know how to adapt quickly to cover their tracks and catch you by surprise.

If you have suspected cheating and the octopus appears in your experience or catches your attention, this could be news that your suspicions may be based on some truths.

The best way to advance is with the same stealth and silence so as not to confuse your cheater. Eventually you will reveal their deceitful ways.

8. Oneness with the universe

If you’ve discovered a connection between the octopus and the number eight, you’re right!

The octopus has eight tentacles and this is considered a divine sign. The number eight turned to the side represents the infinity symbol, which can symbolize the infinity of the universe.

In many cultures, the number eight has a special association with the divine, god, source, the universe, or any other word you prefer to use to refer to the Creator as a whole.

In this regard, the octopus symbolizes our oneness with the universe, a concept that can give us comfort and meaning.

Being one with the universe means you are a major player in co-creating your reality and your entire life. Being one with the universe is a call to trust life and go with the flow, for the universe is with you at all times.

Infinity also means limited potential. Seeing the octopus in your experience is a reminder of your unlimited potential – you can be, do and have anything you…