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

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

There’s a lot that humans can learn from coyotes. By observing this animal in nature, you can receive much guidance from this spirit animal.

The coyote spirit guide is well known for its wisdom, intelligence, and wit. You can summon the coyote spirit animal when you want to benefit from its myriad of advantages.

What’s the Coyote Meaning and Symbolism?

Symbol of Trickery and Deception

The coyote is known for its thieving ways. This animal has been known to deceive humans and steal their food.

They use all forms of cunning to rob their foes of their food. Despite their relatively small size, coyotes have been known to hunt and kill relatively bigger deer.

Symbol of Mischief and Playfulness

Coyotes are good at teaching humans that life is not all about the pursuit of material wealth. This animal often relaxes and plays with his mates.

If this is your spirit animal, it will teach you that at times, you need to loosen up a bit and have fun with your friends and loved ones.

Symbol of Intelligence and Patience

Like most intelligent beings, coyotes are very patient. They don’t impulsively run after their quarry. They take their time, carefully stalking the target before they strike.

If this is your spirit animal, you’ll learn that you don’t move before you get the right opportunity.

Symbol of Flexibility and Adaptability

This creative animal teaches us to be adaptable. Indeed, the coyotes are so adaptable that they actually thrive even in cities.

You’ll find coyotes living around farms where they attack domestic animals such as cattle. You’ll also find them in large cities where they survive quite well.

Symbol of Insight and Wisdom

Coyotes are naturally shrewd. They use their intelligence to survive in the wild as well as in cities.

Although they may not be as shrewd as the foxes, we can learn a lot from coyotes about the use of wisdom and insight.

For example, they hunt at night when they know they have an added advantage over their quarry. As a spirit animal, the coyote teaches us to employ our skills and talents for maximum effect.

Symbolic Meaning of Coyote Spirit Animal in Various Cultures

Coyote Symbolism in Christian Culture

In the Bible, the coyote is known for its thieving ways. Actually, the word ‘coyote’ means smuggler. The Bible shows that this animal is good at avoiding snares and snatching the food of other animals.

All the same, the Book of Isaiah acknowledges that the coyote is as shrewd as it is intelligent.

The Prophet Isaiah describes lizards and coyotes as thankless. This means that the Bible does not confer much respect and love on this animal.

A Christian folklore indicates that Noah had initially refused the coyotes to get into the Ark during the great flood.

They were allowed into the Ark only after promising not to steal the other animals’ food. According to the myth, the coyotes have held a grudge against humans ever since the time of the Great Flood.

Coyote Symbolism in African Culture

In Ethiopian culture, a story is told of how the lion went hunting with the coyote. Because the lion was a more skilled hunter, the coyote was given the role of carrying and preparing the meals.

Unfortunately, the coyote decided to keep all the meat for his family, leaving the lion’s family to go hungry.

This created an everlasting conflict between the lions and coyotes.

Drawings from ancient Egypt show the God of Death, Anubis, illustrated as having a coyote’s head. This is likely because coyotes were known to steal and eat corpses.

A myth from Egypt further illustrates that the black stripes on the coyote’s back came about because he was burned by Horus, the Sun God.

This happened after the coyote tricked Horus as a child and almost drowned him in water.

Coyote Symbolism in Native American Culture

The coyote has been widespread in the Americas for years. As such, this animal has heard a long interaction with the Native Americans.

Actually, the coyote got its name from the Native American tribes.

The Native Americans view this animal as cunning, shrewd, and sneaky. Because of this, the coyote is loved and hated in equal measure.

For example, some myths paint this animal as a savior of humanity. In others, he is an irresponsible, conceited, thieving character.

The coyote is more admired and respected in the Western parts of America than the Eastern parts.

The Western tribes believe that the coyote was sent by the Great Spirit to save humans by supplying them with fire.

Some tribes believe that the coyote plays an important role in linking humans to the divine realm.

For example, the Blackfoot tribe sees this animal as a demigod who occupies both the physical and spiritual realms.

The Arikana tribe looks at the coyote as a creator god because he was there from the very beginning. He was revered as a deity who was meant to rule over the people.

Not all communities took the coyote that seriously. Most of the Eastern tribes looked at this animal as dangerous, lustful, and conceited.

Narratives revolving around the coyote were meant to induce humor and warn about the treacherous behavior of this animal.

Coyote Symbolism in Celtic Culture

The coyote spirit animal has both good and bad omens in the Celtic culture. For example, the Celts believed that the coyote had magical powers that protects life on earth.

Using these powers, the coyote would chase the moon and sun around so that they were constantly on the move.

Another good omen is that the coyote spirit animal would carry the souls of the dead to the Other Side.

Some tribes believed that the coyote was a symbol of eternal youth. It gave these people hope of life after death.

Other tribes believed that the coyote had the power to travel anywhere at any time. This means they admired it as much as they feared it.

Although the coyote was not very common in Celtic lands, it is often related to the dog or jackal.

For example, the Celtic god Sucellus is shown being followed by an animal that is a cross of a coyote, wolf, and dog.

Coyote medicine was quite common among some Celtic tribes. People believed they could turn to this animal for support in times of crisis.

Coyote Symbolism in Eastern Culture

In the Eastern Cultures, black coyotes are said to bring ill luck and disease. However, white coyotes are respected because they stand for good luck and fortune.

In some parts of China and the Korean peninsula, white coyotes signify courage and loyalty.

Black coyotes are said to play tricks and create discord among the other animals. They are also known to misguide newlyweds, forcing them to make bad choices about their families.

Even with such a bad reputation, coyotes are considered mysterious and magical.

In Hinduism, it is believed that coyotes talk regularly to the deities, and they occupy a special place in the order of things.

Many tribes in the East believed that coyotes would shapeshift to steal from other animals.

When the Coyote is Your Spirit Animal

The coyote spirit animal comes into your life to encourage you to have fun. Perhaps, you have been going about your life too seriously, denying yourself the joy of living.

The coyote spirit animal reminds you that life is not all about work. You should learn to relax and embrace your inner child.

This spirit guide also comes to rescue you when you feel lost and confused. Likely, you have found yourself involved in new pursuits, and you are not very sure how to proceed.

The coyote spirit animal teaches you the importance of adapting to the ever-changing world. You will encounter unplanned and unpredictable scenarios that will force you to think outside the box.

The coyote spirit guide urges you to listen to your intuition and inner wisdom. Sometimes, you have to take a leap of faith and take action to transform your life.

This spirit animal encourages you to take care of your family and loved ones. Just like the coyote, it is important that you maintain fidelity in your love relationship.

Coyotes tend to keep the same mate for life. This means that qualities like loyalty, family, and tribe are important to this spirit animal.

The Coyote Power Animal

The coyote power animal comes into your life to save you from your loneliness. You can reach out to this power guide when you feel rejected and alone.

The coyote power animal urges you to create your own happiness. You have everything you need to shape your life in the best way you’d like.

As such, don’t wait for happiness to come from without. The coyote power animal urges you to be intrinsically motivated.

This power guide wants you to play harmless tricks on yourself, at times. Life is not as serious as you make it seem.

Learn to laugh at yourself and to put smiles on the faces of your friends and loved ones.

The coyote power animal also comes your way when you are battling weighty issues about life. This spirit guide is full of wisdom; it will help you see your life as it truly is.

The Coyote Totem Animal

People with the coyote totem are wise, witty, and fun-loving. They have no trouble laughing with their friends and family, and spreading good cheer wherever they go.

These light-hearted folks have a way of diffusing tension. With your wit and good cheer, you bring joy and laughter regardless of the situation.

The coyote totem animal will help you to live a simple, uncomplicated life. You’ll find joy in even the most commonplace of things.

Coyote people can be cunning and shrewd. However, you need to watch out that you don’t cause serious harm with your pranks.

Remember, not everyone will appreciate your trickster energy. This means you should know when to tone down and take things a bit seriously.

Coyote Mythology and Folklore

In Aztec folklore, the coyote goes by the name Huehuecoyotl. This creature is said to be the lord of mischief.

He is said to be a lustful womanizer who’s fond of music and dance. According to the myth, the coyote consorted with the goddess of fertility, a prostitute by the name of Xochiquetzal.

According to Navajo folklore, the coyote would be killed or offered as a sacrifice to cure people suffering from ‘coyote illness’.

Coyote medicine was quite prevalent in several Native American tribes.

A Maidu myth describes the coyote as a malicious being who introduces evil wherever he goes. The myth says the Earth Maker created the earth pure and devoid of evil.

When the coyote arrived, he came with his bag of tricks, mischief, and evil. Despite the Earth Maker’s attempts to destroy the coyote, the trickster proved too cunning even for this deity.

In the Indian subcontinent, a Shasta fable describes the coyote as a savior of humanity. The fable has it that the coyote fought the Moon to bring an end to winter.

By the end of the epic battle, the coyote had managed to shorten the 10-month long winter months by 5 months.

However, a Zuni myth contradicts the role played by the coyote in bringing winter to an end.

The myth has it that the coyote actually messed up by releasing the stars that had been kept inside a box.

When the stars escaped, they brought winter into the world.

Coyote Tattoo Meaning

If you are considering getting a coyote tattoo, you stand to benefit from the amazing qualities of this animal.

For example, the coyote is known for its intelligence and adaptability. This tattoo reminds you to keep your wits about you regardless of where you are or what you are doing.

Among some Native American tribes, the coyote is revered as the bearer of fire. Others consider this creature a creation deity as he was there from the very beginning.

Wearing a coyote tattoo, therefore, shows your high regard for Native American culture.

A coyote tattoo could also be a sign of loyalty, fidelity, and courage. Coyotes are well known for these qualities.

A howling coyote tattoo denotes knowledge, wisdom, and self-awareness. This tattoo reminds you of your power to determine your future.

What’s the Meaning of Coyote Dreams?

Most dreams about coyotes indicate you will gain a great deal in the days ahead. Unfortunately, this gain will come from someone’s failure or misery.

Seeing a red coyote in your dream means you’ll achieve financial freedom. Going forward, you’ll discover new ways to make a material gain.

Dreaming of a white coyote means courage and good luck. This dream calls on you to courageously use your skills and abilities to elevate your life.

Dreaming of a coyote howling means you’ll gain after someone leaves you. Likely, you have been looking for ways to break free from this person.

This dream tells you things will work out in your favor.

To dream of a dead coyote means good results from your labor. Your pursuits are about to pay off big time.

To dream of a coyote stealing food is a warning. You are moving toward a dangerous situation; you better do something about it before you find yourself in trouble.

Dreaming about coyotes playing warns you to be careful about the intentions of someone close to you.

This dream indicates that someone could be misleading you waiting for the right moment to defraud you.

Final Thoughts…

To fully understand the coyote symbolism, you must be in sync with this spirit animal. This is more so because it often doesn’t give straightforward lessons.

The good news is that if you understand its lessons, the coyote spirit animal will help you to evolve greatly.

Overall, this spirit guide tells you to be adaptable and to constantly be on the lookout for opportunities.