Animals that represent freedom are not just any animals. These animals have no restrictions, and they have the ability to roam around freely without any limits. Some of these animals can physically travel anywhere, while others are fortunate enough to have no predators, giving them the freedom to live their lives.
In this article, we’ll discuss some of the animals that fall into this category and why they represent this value.
15 Animals that represent freedom
1. Horse
- Scientific Name: Equus caballus
- Tattoo meaning: freedom, strength, independence, grace, beauty
Horses are large, powerful hoofed mammals that have been used for thousands of years to pull carts. These animals can live in a wide range of environments, including deserts, grasslands, forests, and even the seashore.
Horses come in a variety of colors and body types: some are short and stocky, while others are tall and lean with long faces. These creatures represent freedom because they can run fast enough to escape predators who might endanger or kill them. Since people typically ride them to get to the various destinations they want, they also symbolize independence.
2. Seagulls
Scientific Name: Larus canus
Seagulls are a type of bird that lives near bodies of water and along the coast. They have short beaks and long, narrow wings, and these birds are frequently seen flying in groups.
These seabirds are known for their loud squawking calls, which they use to communicate with other seagulls and warn them of potential threats. They frequently consume fish and other small aquatic animals.
These birds represent freedom because they can soar through the air without restriction or restraint and are frequently seen gliding in the air. While many people associate seagulls with freedom, others believe these creatures represent good fortune, parenthood, and guidance.
3. Butterflies
- Scientific Name: Danaus plexippus
- Tattoo meaning: faith, transformation, and freedom
Butterflies are insects known for their colorful and beautiful wings. They can be found on almost every continent, and their colors range from bright white and yellow to deep brown and black. You can find butterflies in a wide range of environments, such as forests, meadows, deserts, and cities.
They primarily consume nectar from flowers, but they’ll also consume decaying matter. These winged creatures are among the best animals that represent freedom. Butterflies are widely recognized as a symbol of transformation and growth.
This is due to their complete metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly. Thanks to their beautiful wings, these creatures can also go anywhere whenever they want.
4. Falcon
Scientific Name: Falco peregrinus
Falcons are predatory birds of prey with long, pointed wings that allow them to fly quickly and change direction. They have excellent vision, especially during the daytime. The falcon family also has the world’s fastest bird, the peregrine falcon, which can dive up to 200 mph.
These birds are found on all continents except Antarctica, and are mostly found in river valleys and along coastlines. As one of the apex predators that can fly, falcons are greatly renowned for representing freedom and dominance. People admire and link them to having the courage to face their fears and overcome obstacles.
5. Wolf
- Scientific Name: Canis lupus
- Tattoo meaning: strength, power, relentlessness, loyalty, freedom
A wolf is a large carnivorous mammal found in forests, mountains, grasslands, and even deserts. You can find wolves all over the world, but most of them live in North America, Europe, and Asia. They’re shy creatures who keep to themselves and only interact with humans when threatened.
Wolves are independent creatures, which is why they represent freedom. They enjoy traveling in groups and have a leader who ensures everyone’s safety. Because their hunting range is so large, they rarely stay in one location.
6. Whales
Scientific Name: Balaenoptera musculus
A whale is a large marine mammal that can be found in every ocean on the planet, from the Arctic and Antarctic to tropical waters. These warm-blooded aquatic animals breathe air and give birth to live young. Whales come in wide varieties, including orcas, humpback whales, beluga whales, blue whales, and sperm whales.
These large creatures are one of the animals that represent freedom because they’re found all over the world and have been known to travel across the globe. Additionally, they’re one of the only free-living animals on the planet with only one known predator—humans.
7. Dove
- Scientific Name: Streptopelia risoria
- Tattoo meaning: victory, God’s will, love, peace, freedom
Doves are small-headed, long-winged birds with white or gray plumage. They have round bodies and soft feathers. These birds feed on seeds, grains, insects, fruits, worms, and snails. Doves live all over the world, but they prefer warmer climates.
They live in small groups or alone, depending on the species. These animals frequently create nests out of twigs in trees, buildings, or on the ground. The dove is a symbol of peace and freedom.
Doves are viewed as free creatures who can fly wherever they want because they’re free birds. Having them tattooed can also convey messages of love and peace.
8. Dragonflies
Scientific Name: Anax junius
Dragonflies are long-bodied insects that range in size from one to four inches. They live in a variety of environments and can be found all over the world. These creatures are also extremely fast and have earned the title of fastest flying insect.
Dragonflies are symbols of freedom because these animals can fly wherever they want without limitation. Some people also link them with change, transformation, and self-realization.
9. Cats
- Scientific Name: Felis catus
- Tattoo meaning: beauty, mystery, magic, freedom, royalty
Cats are a type of carnivorous mammal with a soft fur coat. They’re one of the most popular indoor pets for humans, but there are also wild species. Their primary food sources are mice, birds, rabbits, and rats.
Cats also consume small mammals like squirrels and chipmunks. These furry creatures are well-known for their love of freedom.
They’re self-sufficient creatures who don’t need anyone to look after them or tell them what to do. These felines are free to go wherever they want without being told where to go or how long they can stay before returning home.
10. Bald eagle
- Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
- Tattoo meaning: strength, courage, freedom, immortality
The bald eagle is a large bird of prey found throughout North America. It has a wingspan of over 7 feet and a weight of up to 6 kg. They’re primarily brown, with white heads and tail feathers.
The bald eagle isn’t actually bald; the term ‘bald’ is derived from the old English word ‘balde,’ which means white. Because of its significance in American culture and history, the bald eagle stands for freedom. President Franklin D. Kennedy chose the bald eagle as the United States’ national emblem because it symbolizes America’s strength and pride.
11. Tiger
Scientific Name: Panthera tigris
A tiger is a large cat that hunts and eats meat in the wild. They inhabit India, China, and Southeast Asia. These creatures are known for having black stripes that help them blend in with their surroundings.
Tigers represent freedom because they’re strong and powerful animals that can survive independently in an environment with no natural predators. Humans are the only major predators these large cats can have because they destroy their habitat.
These animals are also solitary animals, and having them as tattoos can also represent power, strength, courage, ferocity, and bravery.
12. Manta ray
- Scientific Name: Mobula birostris
- Tattoo meaning: peace, tranquility, freedom, stability
A Manta Ray is a large, gentle fish found in tropical and temperate oceans. They have a distinct shape, being long and triangular, with a broad underside. It‘s also one of the world’s largest ray species, with a wingspan of up to 29 feet across.
Manta rays eat small fish and plankton, which they ingest through a special filter system. These incredible animals are symbols of freedom because they’re frequently seen swimming gracefully through the oceans, seemingly carefree. Some people use them as symbols of peace and harmony.
13. Dolphin
- Scientific Name: Delphinus delphis
Dolphins have a streamlined body, smooth skin, and a curved mouth that gives them a permanent “smile.” They’re highly intelligent, social animals found in oceans and rivers worldwide and feed on fish and squid. Dolphins represent freedom due to their ability to swim effortlessly and their strong social bonds that emphasize their connection to the concept of community.
14. Albatross
- Scientific Name: Diomedeidae
Albatrosses have a distinctive wingspan of up to 11 feet, a light-colored body with dark wingtips, and a hooked beak that they use to catch fish and squid. They’re large seabirds known for their incredible flying abilities and can travel thousands of miles without stopping.
They’re found in oceans all over the world and are considered animals that represent freedom due to their strong sense of independence and their ability to soar over the open sea for most of their lives. Albatrosses are solitary creatures that can travel great distances without being tied down to a specific location, further emphasizing their connection to the concept of freedom.
15. Hummingbird
- Scientific Name: Trochilidae
Hummingbirds are small, brightly colored birds with a distinctive ability to hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings. They have a long, slender beak that they use to sip nectar from flowers and a thin, streamlined body that allows them to move quickly and easily. Hummingbirds are found throughout the Americas and are known for their energetic and playful behavior.
They’re considered animals that represent freedom due to their ability to fly in any direction and their fast, agile movements that allow them to escape predators and explore their environment. Hummingbirds are also associated with the concept of freedom due to their migratory habits, which allow them to travel great distances and explore new territories.
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