The badger is either fierce, strong, and shy - or aggressive and anti-social - depending on your respect or antipathy for this nocturnal creature.
Many people came to first know the badger in Kenneth Graham's, The Wind in the Willows. Mr. Badger is a gruff, solitary figure who 'hates society'. But he is also the wise hermit, and proves himself brave, cooperating in times of need to keep the enemy away. In that famous story, the badger is the symbol of common sense.
In the wild, the badger frequently cleans out its den and changes its straw bedding, making it a good example of domestic order and cleanliness. As an animal that digs deep into the earth, the badger has links to the mysteries and magic of the underworld, as well as to the spirits of animals and plants. For anyone seeking a symbol of the balance between that which lies beneath the earth to that which lies above, the badger is a great teacher.
This is a compact and muscular animal, standing about 30 cm in height and a meter in length. It has family ties with otters and weasels. It's famous for its teeth, particularly the incisors, which are so powerful that gypsies and gamblers have been known to carry them as tokens of protection and good luck. The badger paw symbol is worn by those indicating the presence of the spirit animal in their lives, or wishing to call on its power. It is believed that catching sight of badger tracks signifies health and strength.
