Frog symbolism represents good luck, prosperity, and purity. Each culture has different meanings for the frog, with some overlapping meanings to strengthen that animal symbolism.
What Does A Frog Symbolize?
Resilience
Frogs have amazing survival instincts. They will hop out of water that’s too hot and can withstand substantial harm done to their environments, including polluted waters. It can even regenerate when physically harmed.
Transformation
Frogs are natural symbols of transformation and new beginnings because they change so much during their life. They begin in eggs before changing to tadpoles, then froglets, then adult frogs. This process is rare in the animal kingdom.
Purity
Frogs represent purity because they clean themselves from dirty waters. They have no problem living in murky waters but always manage to clean themself in a therapeutic way.
Good Luck
Frogs are spiritual symbols of prosperity and good luck. They represent everything good in some cultures, and in the animal kingdom, they seem to bounce back quite often after close calls.
Empathy
Frogs can symbolize empathy and compassion. This has more spiritual ties than scientific ones, as the frog’s big eyes and laidback attitude exude care.
Fertility
Frogs are one of the most fertile creatures. They can lay up to 20,000 eggs, making them even more fertile than rabbits.
Faith
Frogs are always open to trying new things and taking a literal leap. They hop from water to land to lilypad, seemingly without a care in the world.
Frog Symbolism – Finding The Way of the Frog
Shamans
General Native American shamans used frogs to cure coughs. They put the frog in the mouth of the person with the cough and commanded it to hop away, taking the sickness with it.
Northwest Tribes
Frogs in the Northwest Native tribes use the animal as a way to signal the seasons. They can tell by the frog’s croak when it’s time to hunt or prepare for winter.
Northeast Tribes
In Northeast Native tribes, there is a tale of the Monster Frog called Aglebemu. It is a lake monster from Wabanaki legends that caused the river to run dry, resulting in a drought that affected many.
Mesopotamia
In Ancient Mesopotamia, frogs were also tied to fertility. They were protection symbols that were signs of good luck and the avoidance of drought.
Aztec and Mexican Culture
In Aztec culture, there is a frog called Tlaltechuhtli. It was a reptile or amphibian creature that was always hungry and had multiple mouths. She demanded sacrifices, which made her feared in the Aztec community.
Ancient Egypt
In Ancient Egypt, frogs were seen as deities who were half-human. They were associated with fertility and prosperity.
Greek Mythology
In Greek mythology, frogs represent comedy, trickery, and lightheartedness. They were used in many plays and fables, always with a comedic twist.
Hinduism
In Hinduism, frogs are protectors. They represent the transition to nighttime and are often tied to folklore about transformation and secretiveness.
Aboriginal Australian Culture
In Australia, there’s a tale of a big frog called Tiddalik. It is a thirsty frog that drank up all the water he could see, causing a drought. Eventually, the other animals made him laugh, and he spit all the water back out.
Celtic Culture
In Celtic culture, frogs are associated with fertility. It was believed that if a frog croaked, then rain would soon follow. It was also believed they had whaling powers, just like in Native American culture.
Japanese Culture
In Japan, the frog named Jiraiya is a ninja that can shapeshift. He is a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
Chinese Culture
In China, frogs are good luck, especially for females. There is a legend of a frog Jin Chan, that comes out during the full moon and protects against bad luck.