Lynx (mythology)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article or section does not cite its references or sources.
You can help Wikipedia by introducing appropriate citations.

The Lynx is an elusive, ghost-like animal that sees without being seen. Often called "the keeper of secrets of the forest", its magical appearance stems from the mystery that such a creature's shyness can also be its strength. The Lynx teaches us that even the meekest can succeed in life, and that the world can unfold itself to those who stop and listen.

This power and ability to remain unseen attracted ancient warriors to adopt the Lynx and, thus, they believed, its nature. Cunning, solitary hunters, Lynx have large eyes and a keen sense of hearing which enables them to hunt at night. They are so dependent on the Snowshoe Hare that when the hare population declines their numbers decrease as well. According to Brandenburg, the Lynx should be considered an endangered species. There are only about 25 in existence in the state of Minnesota.

[edit] Roles of the Lynx

The lynx is not a guardian of secrets so much as the one who knows them, especially when it comes to those secrets that are either obscured by time and space or are completely lost to the world. The lynx is therefore associated with divination and clairvoyance. Those who seek the lynx may find difficulty in getting it to cooperate. Just because the lynx knows secrets does not mean it wishes to share them. Only by respecting the lynx's behavior and listening carefully may one begin to receive an answer.

Those who have been touched by the lynx's presence may be given a gift or a warning. A lynx may guide the listener to a secret, whether it be a lost object or a hidden truth that is somehow relevant at the present time. On the other hand, the lynx could be an omen to warn those who have somehow betrayed the confidentiality of oneself or others.

The lynx was chosen as the emblem of the Accademia dei Lincei ("Academy of the Lynxes"), one of the world's oldest scientific societies. Its sharp vision was invoked symbolically as characteristic of those dedicated to science.