Bee Symbolism & Meaning (+ Spirit, Totem & Omens)

Are you interested in the Bee Spirit Animal? Then this guide is for you!

Ever heard the phrase as busy as a bee? Undoubtedly, this little insect is one of the busiest members of the animal kingdom.

As it darts from one flower to another, there’s a lot we can learn from the bee. For example, we learn that this insect is a master pollinator.

Indeed, the planet earth would not be what it is today without the bee.

What’s the Bee Meaning and Symbolism?

Self-Awareness

When the bee spirit animal comes into your life, it urges you to fully know yourself and what you stand for.

The bee asks you to avoid habits and behavior that can bring you down. Live in a manner that corresponds to your beliefs and principles.

The bee spirit animal encourages you to be true to your needs and desires.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Bees have a well-structured social organization in which they work together to achieve their goals. Every member of the bee colony has their work clear-cut for them.

As your spirit animal, the bee encourages you to form strong personal and professional relationships. Create the right networks to achieve your goals and dreams.

Persistence and Determination

This spirit guide motivates you to keep pushing for your goals despite the situation on the ground.

If anything, you should be more determined when things are tough, because it is during such times that you have the greatest growth potential.

Like the bee spirit animal, you should believe that hard work and commitment will bring you closer to your goals.

Industry and Hard Work

Hardworking, resilient, and committed people are usually described as busy as bees. This is a clear testament to this insect’s industry and its focus on its goals.

As your spirit animal, the bee wants you to focus on making a difference in your life and in the lives of others.

Peace with Nature

To achieve your goals, you must be at peace with nature. This entails that you adopt a systematic approach to problem-solving and life in general.

The bee spirit animal reminds you to be mindful of others as you go about your daily activities.

Symbolic Meaning of Bee Spirit Animal in Various Cultures

Bee Symbolism in Christian Culture

According to some leading lights in the Christian culture, bees represent everything good and admirable.

For example, St. Ambrose, an ancient bishop of the church in Milan, equated the Christian community to a beehive.

Legend has it that St. Ambrose was invaded by bees as a minor. Noting this, his father predicted that Ambrose would be a fiery preacher, as fiery as the bees.

Other Christian notables take the beehive to be an example of a united and devout community.

This is meant to encourage every Christian to play their role in making the Church of Christ better and stronger.

The notion here is that if every Christian plays their role in supporting each other, nothing can put them down.

They will have the strength and determination to overcome the trials and temptations of their archenemy, the devil.

Another mention of the bees in the Bible is in reference to Canaan, the land of milk and honey.

As the God’s Children trudged through the Sinai Desert on their way to Canaan, they were kept going by the promise this land held.

They believed that their journey would culminate in a land where milk and honey would be overflowing.

However, sometimes bees get negative mentions. For example, Psalms 118:12 equates the bees to mob violence.

Here, the Psalmist narrates that his enemies had surrounded him like bees. However, he would not allow them to overrun him, for he would destroy them in the name of God.

Bee Symbolism in African Culture

Bees meaning and symbolism differ among different African tribes. Some tribes look at this insect as a tiny but deadly warrior.

Others regard the bee as a tenacious spirit animal that teaches man to respect the natural order of the world.

Bees taught Africans the importance of working hard. Whether one was herding, farming, or engaging in spiritual affairs, one had to be focused.

African bees are known for their vicious sting. To Africans, this was a clear message from this spirit animal on the importance of defending oneself.

At the same time, the bee was seen as offering an important service to the people. Apart from the nourishment provided by honey, it was also used as medicine.

Honey was particularly good at curing a host of ailments and diseases. Some African tribes such as the Akamba of Kenya and the Khoi/San of the Namib specialized in bee medicine.

Also, bees had deep spiritual meaning and symbolism among the peoples of Africa.

For example, the ancient Egyptians regarded the bees as sacred creatures that were closely linked to Amon-Ra, the Sun God.

Legend has it that bees – like butterflies – would transport the souls of the dead to the afterlife. They also brought divine messages from the Other World to the world of the living.

Bee Symbolism in Native American Culture

The Native American tribes looked at bees for inspiration and spiritual guidance. Indeed, bees feature prominently in many Native American mythologies.

Like Africans, the Native Americans linked the bee to the valor and strength of a warrior. They regarded bees as being fierce, valiant, harsh, and persistent.

Many a Native American warrior aspired to exude these qualities in battle.

Bees also taught these people how best to work as a community to achieve their common goals.

The fact that bees are willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of their hive held a certain appeal to warriors and breadwinners.

A good number of warrior clans adopted bees as their totem animals. Several tribes had a bee clan in their midst.

The Native Americans knew very well the value addition this insect was doing on earth.

To honor the bee’s role, dances were organized that involved costumes and masks in the likeness of the bee.

From an early age, children were taught to respect these small insects. They were taught not to visit a bee hive unless they were accompanied by a competent adult.

From such lessons, children learned to respect the smaller creatures in nature. It was a confirmation that everything in life had a role to play for the betterment of everyone else.

Bee Symbolism in Celtic Culture

In the Celtic lands, bees were closely connected to knowledge and wisdom. Legend has it that famous philosophers would often consult bees on important matters of the land.

It was believed that bees had a special link to druids. According to one legend, a druid’s soul could leave the body at night and merge with a bee.

In the western isles of Scotland, it was believed that bees had something to do with Christ’s birth and resurrection.

Bees are said to have protected the babe Jesus from King Herod, who wanted the baby dead. Bees also accompanied Jesus’ parents to a safe hiding place to escape the malice and wrath of the king.

It is further said that bees guarded Jesus’ tomb for the three days he was dead. They worked alongside angels to ensure that no one stole Christ’s body from its resting place.

According to a Scottish legend, bees are among the very first animals to celebrate Christ’s birth at Christmas.

Ancient Celts believed that bees had the power to move between this world and the Other World. From the Other World, they would bring wisdom, knowledge, and sacred secrets of the divine.

Bee Symbolism in Eastern Culture

According to Buddhist teachings, Buddha regarded bees and honey as sacred. It is said that while on a retreat deep in the forest, he was offered foodstuffs by different animals.

He was most pleased with the monkey’s offer of honeycomb. In joy and ecstasy, the monkey leaped from one tree branch to the next.

Unfortunately, he missed a branch and fell to his death. Buddha took pity on the poor monkey and brought him back to life.

It is from this that the special Buddhist Festival of Madhu Purnima (Honey Full Moon) was born.

In Hindu mythology, the goddess Parvati was tasked by the other gods to contain a particularly nasty demon, Arunasura.

Parvati shape-shifted to the goddess Bhramari, the deity in charge of bees and hornets, and she successfully managed to kill the demon.

When the Bee is Your Spirit Animal

As small as they are, bees are some of the most powerful creatures on earth. They have an important role to play in pollinating flowers.

Without carrying out this role, the world’s food system would be shaky; and most of the world’s animals would likely die off.

When the bee spirit animal comes into your life, you can be sure you are in safe hands. This spirit guide will teach you to pay attention to your responsibilities.

At the same time, the bee spirit animal teaches you to be generous.

Just like this little insect gives generously – and without expecting much back – you’ll learn to be generous with your time, effort, and resources.

The good news is that this will ultimately work in your favor. You’ll come to appreciate that blessed is the hand that gives than the one that receives.

The Bee Power Animal

Call on the bee power animal when you want to appreciate the virtue of hard work. This power guide will enable you to benefit from your labor.

Reach out to the bee when your enthusiasm and efficiency could do with a boost. This insect will remind you that success comes about due to diligence, hard work, and patience.

The bee power animal empowers you to believe in yourself. You will appreciate that you have what it takes to attract the positive energies of growth and prosperity.

With this power animal on your side, you’ll see the need to tend to your deepest needs and desires. You’ll also be motivated to take care of your loved ones.

The next time you encounter bees, pay closer attention to this insect. It might as well be your power animal trying to communicate something important about your life.

The Bee Totem Animal

People with the bee totem are highly responsible. They take their duties and assignments seriously and rarely are they late in work delivery.

They are also kind, generous, and compassionate. If your totem animal is the bee, you are willing to sacrifice material comforts for the larger good.

Your family – and by extension your community – comes first. You live by mantras that promote cooperation, collaboration, and teamwork.

For example, you believe that no single person is stronger than everyone else.

People with the bee totem are known for their hard work and diligence. They are not afraid of challenges because they take challenges as opportunities for growth and progress.

Bee Encounters and Omens

The bee spirit omen reminds you to be grateful for all the blessings you are enjoying. Perhaps, you have been too busy to realize you are more blessed than most people.

At the same time, seeing bees reminds you to be kind to those you encounter in life’s journey. Be generous with your family, colleagues, friends, and the environment.

The bee spirit teaches you to be content; don’t focus on what you don’t have. When you have an attitude of gratitude, more blessings will keep locating you.

As your spirit animal, the bee teaches you to add value to your world. It reminds you that you were brought into this world for a specific mission and purpose.

Whenever you see this spirit guide buzzing its way from flower to flower, know that your life is not an accident.

Final Thoughts…

The bee spirit animal will come to your aid when you need positive energies to spruce up your life. This spirit guide is a master at productiveness, communication, cooperation, and industry.

The bee encourages you to use your resourcefulness and creativity to achieve your goals and dreams.

You must also be cognizant of the fact that were it not for the bee, the human race would probably be extinct.