“Frog in a little pond can be much happier than fish in a vast ocean!”
― Mehmet Murat ildan
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When I left Chicago, (Actually, Elgin) on Sunday, it was before 7am, I hadn’t slept much, and I was a little bleary eyed. My sister walked across the parking lot at Mom’s place to get the car, to take me to the airport. The strangest sight, sitting there as still,as could be was a big ol’ frog. It sat on the sidewalk by the front door, right next to the post with the handicap push button on it.
Of course, being a student and believer of symbolism, I took his picture, of which he posed gracefully without moving. I was there three weeks and never saw a frog, much less at the front door of a busy apartment/condo complex. A symbol just for me. I knew it had to be good luck.
Look how he sat patiently waiting to say goodbye and good luck to me. Thank you Mr. Frog!
When I looked up the meaning of seeing a frog, I thought it was most appropriate. A transition, growth cycle, abundance, luck, healing…different meanings in different cultures. All very optimistic. I felt pretty darn lucky.
Just some other information on frogs if you’re interested…
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Frog Meanings and Symbolism
When the frog jumps into your life it may indicate now is a time to find opportunities in transition. We see animal symbolism of transition with the frog in its unique growth cycle. The frog undergoes incredible transformations to reach the destination of full adulthood, and so do we as humans.
The frog understands what it is like to undergo some serious growing pains – and so it is a fantastic animal totem for teenagers as they sometimes struggle to find their place (in-betwix youth and adulthood) in society.
In many cultures the primary symbolic meaning of frogs deals with fertility. This is largely because these cultures observed Frogs laying enormous quantities of eggs, therefore making it a fertility symbol as well as a symbol of abundance.
A quick-list for animal symbolism of the frog includes:
Luck
Purity
Rebirth
Renewal
Fertility
Healing
Metamorphosis
Transitions
Dreaming
Opportunity
Intermediary
In Egypt we see the Frog-headed Heket who is an Egyptian goddess of birth(ing).
As a Celtic symbol meaning, the Frog was deemed lord over all the earth, and the Celts believed it represented curative or healing powers because of its connection with water and cleansing rains. More Western and European views focus on the Frog’s three stages of development (egg, tadpole, fully formed amphibian) to symbolize resurrection and spiritual evolution. For these same reasons it is also a common Christian symbol for the holy trinity and resurrection. It is often seen in Christian art to express this symbolism.
In China the Frog is an emblem of Yin energy and thought of as good luck. Feng Shui practices recommend putting an image of a Frog in the east window of your home to encourage child birth and/or happy family life.
Frog energy is also considered to be a link between the living and the dead. An interesting ancient Asian custom was to place a jade frog in the mouth of the deceased to insure his/her spirit would pass safely into the spirit world. This custom was believed to allow the spirit of the deceased to speak more clearly to loved ones still living.
Frogs are also good luck symbols in Japan – especially for travelers. Images or charms were worn during long voyages to assure safety (particularly across water).
I have a friend, Albert who lives in Japan. He shared further Japanese wisdom animal symbolism of the frog. The Japanese word for frog is “kaeru.” It is the same word meaning “return.” So travelers carry a small frog amulet with the intent of returning safely home.
Further, small pebble-sized frog amulets are carried in their wallets so money will not be lost. You can meet my friend Albert via his studio here (Studio Sussler)Ancient Hindus viewed the animal symbolism of frogs on a more cosmic levels, as they believe Frogs projected the world into orbit in space, and the frog was also thought to signify darkness.
Call upon the energy of the frog when:
You need to easily swim through some tough life-transitions
You need a little assurance while traveling
You are working to enhance your intuition, and strengthen your connection with the spirit world
Toni Andrukaitis 