Oil painting on canvas panel, painted oak timber frame, 2024
Total size 25,5cm/25,5cm/2cm
 
Hedgehog Spirit Animal
At first glance, the hedgehog may not seem like much. With its spiky exterior and bewildered expression, it’s easy to underestimate this little creature. But don’t be fooled, the hedgehog spirit animal is packed with symbolism and wisdom that can help us navigate the world around us.
It reminds us to be prepared for anything and to have a tough exterior when we need it. The hedgehog also symbolizes self-discovery and pursuing one’s purpose in life with determination. Let’s explore the message of the wisdom of this endearing creature.
 
What does the Hedgehog symbolize?
The symbolism associated with the hedgehog is not easily understood. Perhaps because it walks a fine line between positive and negative aspects. There’s no single meaning for what a hedgehog symbolizes, but there are some general themes that can help us understand what this small creature can teach us.
 
Generally, the hedgehog is seen as a symbol of:
Protection
Obstacles and challenges
Curiosity
Intuition
Adaptability
Patience
Strength and fortitude
Self-reliance
Gentleness
You need to develop your potential
A spiritual journey you’re embarked on
Need for solitude
Need to rest and relax
 
A short explanation of the Hedgehog’s symbolism
Protection
The hedgehog is no stranger to adversity and survives by rolling into an impenetrable ball when threatened. This protective nature helps steady our nerves during difficult periods and reminds us not to be afraid when facing tough roads ahead.
The hedgehog is a life guide that will help you in the face of challenges. One of the biggest challenges that the hedgehog is best suited for is security. This animal guide teaches you to trust your instinct and to know that you are safe.
It uses its discomfort to protect its life from dangers. When the hedgehog feels threatened, it will roll into a ball which makes it hard to attack. If it is confronted with danger, it does not fight but instead gets rid of it. This is something that is natural to this creature. The hedgehog knows how to defend itself without having to hurt anyone or anything else. This animal guide teaches you to be aware of your surroundings and how to be mindful of your own natural tendencies.
It helps us in facing life challenges and looking within ourselves for answers, rather than seeking them outside.
 
Time to relax and reflect
When you are faced with stressful situations, the hedgehog may appear in your life or your dreams to help calm you down. The hedgehog can teach you ways to deal with these situations. These signs may appear as a memory from the past, or they may be presented as a metaphor that allows you to make sense of what’s happening currently in your life.
The key is to understand the hedgehog is a symbol which will allow you to reflect on your own experiences and gain insight into your current situation.
 
Curiosity
The hedgehog’s inquisitiveness, bravery, and adaptability make it a perfect symbol for curiosity. Hedgehogs are quick to poke their noses into the world around them. It is believed that this curiosity protects these small creatures from predation by larger animals.
They are willing to explore anything they find in their path and will often go where others fear to tread. They have a number of sensory receptors, including those for smell and taste, which they use to make decisions about what is safe to eat and what should be avoided.
They seem to explore new things and are always looking for a way out, no matter how many times they get stuck. It’s their determination that makes them strong animals.
So what does the hedgehog offer us when it comes to taking risks and going for the unknown supported by the power of curiosity? The hedgehog represents an exploration of possibilities that will often require risk-taking on behalf of individuals. When we allow our curiosity to guide us, we’re more likely to explore our potential and try new things–even if they don’t work out all the time. This lesson is something that can be applied in many aspects of life.
 
Taking the next steps in life
The hedgehog teaches us that we can be careful and methodical when it comes to exploring new opportunities. Note that there is a difference between being careful and being afraid. Some people are naturally more risk-averse, but you can overcome this by using the hedgehog’s instincts to your advantage. When faced with new opportunities, you should conduct a careful examination of the risks involved. Once you’ve taken into consideration the potential good and bad outcomes, decide whether or not to go forward with it based on your own risk tolerance level. Over time, as you take small risks, your confidence in making those decisions will grow, making more challenging decisions easier in the future.
 
Solitude
Hedgehogs tend to shy away from the company of others, they are not social creatures. He is a “homebody” and does not roam outside of his territory. He tends his own area with great care. He may go out to investigate what’s going on out there but he will quickly retreat back under cover if he feels threatened. His natural instinct tells him that it’s safer to stay at home rather than risk facing some unknown danger.
The hedgehog’s nocturnal nature helps to explain his withdrawal from the world of the day, as he can retreat back into his den at nightfall, relatively safe from whatever dangers might be lurking in the darkness. At night, he buries himself in the ground or under leaves. He also covers himself in a protective spiny armor, forming a ball to protect itself from against predators.
The hedgehog shows us that it’s perhaps time to spend some time alone to recharge. It is content to escape into a world of its own and to spend time in the safety of its den. It teaches us that it’s OK to be or live alone. Solitude is not the same thing as loneliness, though. Solitude refers to the time when someone chooses to be alone, while it is loneliness that is the state of being alone and wanting to be with other people.
 
Gentleness
The hedgehog teaches others to be gentle. You can see this through their spines. They are actually quite soft, but they serve an important purpose in the hedgehog’s life. They help protect them from predators and are kept within the correct boundary of spikes. If a predator is to attack, they use their spines to repel them.
The hedgehog’s charm consists of the fact that it is prickly on the outside but soft on the inside. The natural defensive nature of the hedgehog is very gentle and self-sacrificing, and it teaches people to not be afraid to give up their own needs for others’ safety.
 
Self-Reliance
The spines of the hedgehog are actually hollow hairs that make it look intimidating – but it actually helps protect them from danger and harm. It is similar for people who learn to master their own inner fears and find a way to cope with them in healthy ways. The hedgehog spirit animal can teach you new ways to overcome your fears from the inside out. You will see this in your life when you start to learn to rely on your own powers and decide for yourself what you need.
 
The Hedgehog’s Message of Wisdom
The hedgehog reminds us to embrace what we are and have faith in ourselves, even if we are small and unknown. Its message of wisdom can inspire us to find treasures in our darkness.
 
Read more at (info from spiritanimal(dot)info)