by Fulcrum Gallery Staff
29. May 2014 16:09
Images of giraffes have appeared in art throughout the history of art itself. Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs expressed the giraffe as an "animal that, being so tall, sees before all other creatures. To foresee or foretell, in other words, is to see as a giraffe does.” Giraffes indeed have magnificent eyesight that goes further than any other mammal, even by scent or sound. Julius Caesar brought a giraffe from Alexandria to Rome in 46 BC, where it was considered an exotic creature, thought to be part camel and part leopard. Giraffes are also considered symbols for communication, intuition, and attaining the impossible.
From India to the United States, the symbol of vision associated with the giraffe is consistent throughout cultures and histories. Giraffes reach heights of eighteen feet with necks up to seven feet. The giraffe is extremely powerful and only vulnerable when it reaches it's neck down to drink water. Thus, the giraffe teaches us how to view the world in both practical and expansive ways.
In Native American culture, giraffes have evolved into powerful shamanic symbols and animal totems. It is said that each person has nine animal totems that guide the individual through life, coming and going depending on the life lessons and circumstances presented along his or her path. Animal totems “offer power and wisdom to the individual when they 'communicate' with it,” yet this process can occur without actually petting or spending time with the animal. It's more about being “open to learning its lessons.”
If the symbolism of a giraffe speaks to you, consider adorning your walls with giraffe art to evoke the connection you feel to its meaning. Some outstanding giraffe art prints include: Lone Giraffe by Kathleen Denis and From Where I Stand by Britt Hallowell, both of which express the symbolism of giraffes in a focused, earthy way, while the Serengeti Giraffe by Fischer Warnica offers a contemporary take on giraffes, and Exploring Nature by Joan Hanson reveals the vulnerable stance of the giraffe. For many more giraffe art print options, visit the Fulcrum Gallery online.
