Students Discover Their Spiritual Link to Animals (parody)

Jordan Wood

Students Discover Their Spiritual Link to Animals (parody)

Palmer Flood, Reporter

Although drawing comparisons between friends and celebrities to animals is increasing in popularity, the origin of these Spirit Animals is not commonly known.

The concept of a Spirit Animal derives from ancient Animistic and Totemistic beliefs. Animism is the belief that non-human objects such as animals, plants, and inanimate objects, possess a spiritual essence and is practiced by many Buddhist, Shinto, Pagan and Neo Pagan groups of people.  Totemism is the belief in the actual spiritual connection or kinship with that non-human object and comes from Native American Indian people.


These two beliefs essentially are all what incorporate what makes up a spirit animal. Not just fun comparisons based on looks or personality, but rather a deeper connection to the world around you.