Symbols of power and strength have been used throughout history to represent and prove that power and strength have always existed. There is a long tradition of using animals as symbols of status or power, but it does not end there. We will take a look at the most popular and prominent symbols of power used in different cultures around the world.
The Eagle as a Symbol of Power – The Lord of the Skies
The eagle has been used as a symbol of power for a long time. Since ancient times, the eagle has been considered a great symbol of power, control, leadership, strength, authority, ferocity, courage, immortality, and protection.
In addition, the eagle represents wisdom, insight, speed, ingenuity, divine wisdom, and keen protection in some cultures. People have revered the eagle and seen it as a symbol of power for a long time because it is partly inspired by its ability to fly and soar in the sky.
The Aztec people used to draw eagles on the bodies of warriors who passed tests of courage, bravery, and strength.
The eagle is believed to draw its power from the heavens and has connections to the divine gods, often being described as a messenger of the gods.
For example, in Greek mythology, Zeus, considered the most powerful god, was often seen transforming into an eagle when he descended to earth.
There are also many other cultures and religions around the world that have used the eagle to symbolize power, such as the Romans and the Goths.
Some of the most famous examples of the eagle being used to symbolize power in terms of a powerful state in the modern world are the United States and Nazi Germany.
The lightning bolt, the weapon of the gods as a symbol of power
Another great symbol of power used in the ancient world is the lightning bolt. In the ancient world, lightning was believed to be a weapon of force and a means of punishment by the gods.
This was especially true when it came to male gods. Lightning was often revered and feared, as gods would hurl light from the heavens to pursue or punish nonbelievers and wrongdoers.
For example, both Zeus in Greek mythology and Thor in Norse mythology were believed to use lightning to punish mortals.
Lightning was very prominent in many different cultures, including Roman, Greek, Norse, and Native American. Although lightning was feared and seen as a means of punishment from the gods, it is also known to be a positive thing in some cases.
People also saw lightning as a force that provided water to the earth and created fertile soil for growing crops and sustaining human life. In today’s modern world, lightning is often associated with supernatural powers.
The Horse as a Symbol of Power and Strength
The horse is another animal that has been used as a symbol of power since ancient times. Although one might think that a horse is not powerful because they are “animals that run away,” frightened by the world, they were revered in the ancient world.
The use of the horse as a symbol of power was widespread in cultures around the world for thousands of years. Today, in many cultures, the horse is still believed to be a symbol of the force of life, especially in terms of sustaining human life.
Many believed that the horse embodied the four elements of the universe: fire, air, earth, and water. In relation to war, power, and fighting, the horse was often used to symbolize endurance, virility, courage, and domination. Armies used the horse as a symbol to boost morale within the ranks.
Although horses are not seen as a symbol of power in today’s world, for example, they still hold a special place in our hearts because of our special connection with them that existed from a very early age. After all, horses have helped humanity with transportation, agriculture, and productivity in many areas.
The Fasces: Symbols of Power and Strength
Fascism is another symbol of power that was often used in the ancient world. Fascism is a set of rods or sticks bound together and often accompanied by some type of axe. This symbol of power originated in Etruscan culture but was later passed on to the Roman Empire.
For the Roman Empire, the fasces symbolized the power and authority of the magistrate or emperor. Fascism is seen as the collective power of the ruling body and its power, dominion, and power of law.
Visually, as symbols of power and strength, the rods seem to represent various states and facets of an empire, and when they are all joined together, they represent the power of the whole, with the axe emerging from the top symbolising ruling power.
Fascism has also been used as a symbol of power in modern times. For example, it can be seen in the United States House of Representatives.
Unfortunately, fasces have also been associated with right-wing fascist movements, as they were used by both the Italians under Mussolini and the Germans in Hitler’s Nazi Germany.
Dragons, majestic creatures as symbols of power
Depending on where you go and who you ask, dragons can be considered a symbol of great power, strength, and perseverance, or a symbol of evil and everything that is wrong with the world.
In medieval Europe, dragons were feared and seen as evil beasts, destroyers of men.
Also, in the Christian Bible, dragons are often directly associated with the devil. However, this could not be further from the truth for Eastern cultures such as the ancient Chinese and Japanese cultures.
In ancient Asian cultures, dragons were seen as a great source of strength, symbols of power and strength for people to fight against hostility and defeat the enemy.
The Circle – A Symbol of Feminine Power
The circle is another symbol of power and strength, one that we, as humans, seem to have largely forgotten. The fact is that the circle was seen as a symbol of power, strength, and feminine intelligence.
In ancient times, a circle represented the innate power in every woman. In today’s world, the circle is often seen as a symbol of unity, life, integrity, and the circle of life.
