I return with yet another silly question, this time about Elvhen culture! What animals do you think the ancient Elvhen associated with wisdom, treachery, courage, death, and luck?
So sorry for taking so long.
So do keep in mind that this blog deals with the languages, and so I am by no means an authority (hell, I’m not an authority on the languages either). So do keep this in mind. This is all supposition on my part, so please don’t think this is anything more than headcanon.
I took a while to think about this, in order to ramble as little as possible.
Firstly, these are the animals as they are concerned with the Dalish. There just isn’t enough information on the ancient Elvhenan culture to really come to any conclusion.
The Halla
Totems: Wisdom, Grace, Nature’s Gentle Rage
The Halla are constantly watching, and even though they can speak (at least in a metaphorical sense according to the Dalish) they choose not to. They represent the concepts of Wisdom, Grace, and the unbending gentle rage of nature. For while the Halla is gentle and kind - easily frightened - it will not hesitate to gore you should you threaten it or its friends.
The Owl
Totems: Death, Hunters, Noble Predators
The Owl represents two aspects of two different gods. It is the ever-watchful guardian of Falon’Din - the god of death, and the messenger and deadly totem of Andruil, the goddess of the hunt. It is ever watching, its eyes forever quietly searching for prey. And yet, it is a gentle creature when it is not actively hunting. For the Dalish, it represents the harsh but gentle reality that we all must die eventually. For those afraid of death, it is a screeching predator, talons ready to pluck them from this mortal coil. For those who accept the truth, however, death is a great gentle owl, ready to carry them into the afterlife upon its great wings.
The Raven
Totems: Fear, Secrets, Intelligence, Treachery and Deceit
Playful, intelligent, and incredibly secretive, the raven is an enigma in Dalish mythology. On the one hand, the raven represents deceit, fear and treachery - for even Dirthamen was almost tricked by two wily ravens. Yet they also represent intelligence and secrets, for the intelligence know that fear, secrets, treachery and deceit all have a place in life. It is said that every Dalish will eventually be tested by the ravens - the wise will be rewarded for their wit, and the foolish cursed for their lack of judgement.
The Bear
Totems: Courage, Strength, Mothers
Strong, majestic, intelligent and incredibly courageous, the bear is an animal only a fool would try to antagonize. Fiercely territorial, bears will destroy anything that tries to threaten them or their dens. And yet, bears are some of the most gentle mothers in all of nature, representing the perfect balance between gentle maternity and ferocious tenacity. A bear will fight to its dying breath to protect that which it loves, even if it knows that it is grossly outmatched.
The Spider
Totems: Terror, Luck, Patience
Many people, even the Dalish, find spiders to be terrifying. But they also represent luck and patience. In order for a spider to survive, even the terrifying giant ones, they must be patience and rely on luck. Spiders are smart, patient, and rely on luck to survive. And while they are scary, they also protect the area against pests and other venomous insects. A spider making its web, while maybe ugly to some, means the area is lucky as far as the Dalish are concerned.
The Wolf
Totems: Family, Protection, Friendship
Wolves are communal animals, relying upon the other members of their pack to survive and thrive. A Dalish clan works in the same way. And so the wolf has come to represent the best of the Dalish. A fierce and loyal friend, gentle to its friends, and vicious and unforgiving to its enemies and prey. A domesticated wolf is the most loyal and fierce friend a lucky hunter will ever have.
