Gorilla Symbolism & Meaning

Having trouble with emotional expression? Experiencing discomfort with your own vulnerability? Gorilla, as a Spirit, Totem, and Power Animal, can help! Gorilla shows you how to communicate with others, all while teaching you about gentility and compassion. Delve deeply in Gorilla symbolism and meaning to find out how this Animal Spirit Guide can soften, encourage, and protect you!

Gorilla Table of Contents

• Gorilla Symbolism & Meaning
• Spirit Animal
• Totem Animal
• Power Animal
• European Gorilla Symbolism
• African Gorilla Symbolism
• Gorilla Dreams
• Far Eastern Symbolism
• Back to all Mammals
• Back to all Spirit Animal Meanings

Gorilla Symbolism & Meaning

While the Gorilla’s size and stature make them seem dangerous, they are not aggressive. They are peaceful creatures who are social and sophisticated in the way they communicate with each other. Scientists have identified at least twenty-five different vocalizations that Gorillas uses to express themselves.

The Gorilla uses its voice to communicate with their band or troop when in regions with dense vegetation. The sounds comprise barking, grunting, screams, roars, and even belching. Gorilla also resolves issues with specific behavioral displays rather than fighting. How Gorilla communicates gives the creature symbolic ties to peaceful action and conflict avoidance.

Gorillas work well in a group, and each member seems to know their role in that troop. Like humans, they enjoy connecting with other members of their community. Troops comprise an adult male, several adult females, and children. There are instances of all-male groups who play and groom each other, sometimes engaging in same-sex relationships; this behavior extends to the females of the same troop. In both settings, Gorillas show particular interest in one partner over another. So, Gorilla symbolizes the harmony of Yin and Yang forces or Masculine and Divine Energies.

Within the troop, Gorillas are loyal leaders. Gorilla has a global mindedness, at least within their element, focusing more on the responsibility for the entire group over their own needs. The Silverback Gorilla garners tremendous respect from the members within its troop. All the Gorillas look to the male Gorilla in a leadership role to make decisions, problem solve, find new feeding grounds, and ensure the group’s overall safety. Here, Gorilla symbolizes nobility, the respect of elders, and honoring one’s role within a hierarchical group.

Care for both the young and old members of Gorilla’s troop is a shared effort. Just as in many collective human societies, where all family members respect and care for one another from birth to old age, in Gorilla troops, all members recognize and respect the younger and older troop members. Here, Gorilla represents honoring your elders and bringing up children in a cooperative atmosphere.

The Gorilla’s nest is at ground level and made up of branches and leaves. Here, the Mother Gorilla lives with their young until they are three years of age, at which point they spend time apart from the female Gorilla. Because the infant Gorillas depend on the Mother for survival, the Mother Gorilla weans the infants when they are six years old. Dad takes part in the effort to socialize the young Gorillas when they’re a little older. Thus, Gorillas represent balance in shared parenting roles.

Science reveals that the human gene sequence only differs from a Gorilla by just over one percent. So, it’s not surprising to find Gorillas are intelligent. Take the case of Koko the Gorilla who learned sign language to communicate with humans. Scientists have also seen Gorillas using rudimentary tools. So, as an Animal Spirit, Gorilla signifies intellect, adaptability, and ingenuity.

Gorillas laugh, cry, love, and grieve. Unlike humans, however, Gorillas do not hide what they feel from the other members of the troop. Part of Gorilla’s Wisdom involves knowing how to tap into deep feelings and avoid suppressing emotions as they arise.

Some additional key characteristics corresponding with Gorilla Spirit include a nurturing nature, wisdom, and wise leadership. The creature is an emblem of loyalty, keen-mindedness, exceptional communication, dignity, compassionate behaviors, gentility, and respect.

Gorilla Spirit Animal

When you see Gorilla images repeatedly, the Gorilla Spirit Animal is trying to get your attention. If you have felt embarrassed or bullied, Gorilla shows up as an Animal Spirit Guide bearing a message about self-respect. You do not have to take it, but you don’t have to over-react either. Gorilla walks with purpose, knowing their power. Your sense of self need not be boastful. Instead, the impact of your behavior is far more significant when it stems from quiet realism. You are the figurative Shaman in your life. Gorilla comes to support you as you reclaim your confidence so you can hold your head high.

Another gift from Gorilla Spirit Animal comes from learning how to establish the healthiest circles when socializing. It’s all too easy to encounter the wrong group or negative individuals that can drag you down. Gorilla challenges you to remain aware of your surroundings and use your observation skills when making new friends or strengthening the bonds of existing relationships. Gorillas are exceptional observers, so your Animal Ally comes to encourage you to use all your senses, physical and psychic, for deciding who you want to continue to interact with in the future. With Gorilla Medicine, you can also tap into energies in people’s aura, which gives you insights into true motivations.

Gorilla Spirit often comes to those who are about to move into leadership roles. It can be a frightening transition for some. Gorilla helps you engage in your new function with fairness, temperance, wisdom, and a pinch of charisma for good measure. The creature’s emergence into your awareness serves as a reminder that a profoundly good leader leads by example.

In nature, Gorillas care for their families with great attentiveness. So, if Gorilla Spirit is trying to get your attention, ask yourself if you have stayed connected with loved ones in your tribe. Pay particular attention to the elderly or children in your extended spheres. Someone may need your aid. Remember, compassion is one of Gorilla’s core values.

Gorilla Totem Animal

People with Gorilla as a Totem Animal are influential leaders. Gorillas wield their power with wisdom. A Gorilla Person understands that listening and consistency are far more effective than aggressive commands, having little to no patience for despots.

If Gorilla is your Birth Totem, you tackle life in a sensible, steady manner. You are charming, respected, and you remain loyal to people you choose as friends. People find you dependable because you keep your promises. Your Gorilla Medicine gives you the ability to encourage a community to pull together for important causes and achieve success. You are an active spirit.

While normally peace-loving, woe to those who would try to take what you see as yours by hard work or merit; that’s when the Gorilla Warrior comes out to defend what you value. Initially, you will confront the person or situation with powerful discussions where you stand your ground without compromise. If that doesn’t work, like your Gorilla Totem, you become fierce.

Some people find you intimidating, but you’re an old softie. You seek other kindhearted, honest, and trustworthy souls. You also can’t help but want to help those who are weak, scared, or feeling lost. Gorilla is a nurturer at heart and has plenty of compassion to spread around.

One important consideration for Gorilla People: Take care of yourself too. You are always looking for someone to help but forget to ask for help when you need it. Being compassionate also means practicing self-love.

Gorilla Power Animal

Why might you seek Gorilla as a Power Animal? First, if you have a situation in which you have to be strong but also humble, Gorilla makes a perfect companion and helper. People have to earn trust and respect, and that takes time. Walking with Gorilla gives you the patience to see this through.

Second, Gorilla can support your efforts to understand your soul’s contract in this life. Gorilla knows its place in the world. Now it’s time for you to etch out your purpose. Once found, this manifests with tremendous motivation and a greater sense of self-worth.

For those considering moving into a greener way of living, Gorilla is a marvelous teacher. Your Power Animal knows the art of conservation. When they harvest leaves, for example, they always leave some on the plant, so it is quick to grow new leaves again. Let Gorilla help you find this balance and harmony when you are working within the natural world.

When attuning with the Sacred Masculine, Gorilla is the epitome of Divine Male Energy. Gorilla has authority, strength, discernment. The creature is the “Gentle Giant” who balances the energies of the Divine Feminine or Mother.

European Gorilla Symbolism

The first perception of large Apes in Europe was that they were chimerical: Half-human and half-animal. Some felt they might be ghosts whose job it was to frighten away colonizers; lore suggests the fierce, monstrous creature would attack women and run off with them into the jungle. Such actions allude to some of the primal human behaviors, not all of which are healthy.

African Gorilla Symbolism

Gorilla has many bits of superstition and symbolism associated with it in the African jungles. For example, the Fang tribe believed that a pregnant woman seeing a Gorilla would give birth to a Gorilla! Meanwhile, many Africans stories depict Gorilla in a positive light. They represent safety, parenting, and family. Their group-oriented structure translates as a symbol for love and community bonds. The tranquility of Gorilla groups became an emblem for harmony. Gorilla bears good luck.

In the Pangwe tribe, there was a cult that centered on the Gorilla. The creature is ”Ngi, after a powerful Gorilla Spirit. There were regular rituals and offerings to Ngi so the Gorilla Spirit would protect the Pangwe People. There is little more known of this group’s practices or its people as their traditions are guarded secrets.

Gorilla Dreams

Seeing a Gorilla in your dreams is a call to action. Whatever is happening in your life, you can no longer remain on the sidelines. Your dream is telling you, if you seek a reward, get up, get out, and give it your all.

Another meaning for Gorilla in your night visions is that of strength. You may not trust your own and feel helpless. Gorilla symbolizes the need for you to tap into that inner core and reclaim your power and be at peace with it. Without this, you can never discover your path or understand your fate.

Wise people have said that Gorilla knows the secret of walking meditations. Seeing Gorilla in your dream may call you to a similar practice. Quiet your soul and look within. Mindful living is part of your spiritual evolution.

If the Gorilla seems to make threatening or rude gestures, like barking, thumping its chest or tossing feces, it suggests you have been giving in to your lower or primitive ideas, impulses, or darker sexual desires. Consider the outcome of any action before taking it to ensure your emotional well-being.

Attacking a Gorilla in your dream is a sign of conflict, often in a group. There is some ill-will that needs remedying. Don’t let this go for too long, or things will get ugly.

Dreaming of a Gorilla in your home, friendly Gorillas, or being approached by a curious Gorilla in your dreams are all omens of good luck, including possible love on the horizon.

Gorilla Symbolic Meanings Key

• Communication
• Compassion
• Connection
• Dignity
• Gentility
• Keen-Mindedness
• Leadership
• Loyalty
• Nurturing
• Wisdom