Deciphering children's drawings - the meaning of animals in children's drawings

Deciphering children's drawings - the meaning of animals in children's drawings

Since children's drawings are a window into their thoughts, feelings and experiences, understanding the symbolism behind the animals they draw can provide important insights into their inner world. It is important to note that a painting is the painter's point of view, so it is very possible that an animal can bring a negative message and the same animal in another painting will symbolize a positive message, all depending on the painting's context to other paintings and also according to the painter's explanation in conversations with him.

In this article, we will explore the positive and negative symbolism of various animals in children's drawings, backed by research and expert opinion.

The animals as positive symbols:

1. Butterfly: Butterflies flutter into our paintings with grace and beauty, symbolizing transformation and growth. Studies by child psychologists such as Piaget and Kellogg have suggested that children often describe butterflies during periods of personal development and positive change.

2. Dog: loyal and loving, dogs represent friendship and friendship in children's drawings. Research by Machover and others has shown that dogs can signal a child's desire for protection and support.

3. Dolphin: With their playful antics and friendly demeanor, dolphins symbolize joy and freedom in art for children. Studies by Melkiodi and others indicate that dolphins often appear in drawings created by children who are experiencing moments of happiness and creativity.

4. Horse: galloping into our imagination with power and grace, horses symbolize strength and freedom. Research by Buck and others suggests that children may draw horses to express a sense of independence and adventure. found that children who drew horses were more likely to show assertiveness and confidence in social situations.

5. Ladybug: A tiny and cheerful ladybug symbolizes luck and happiness in children's drawings. Studies by Winter and others have found that children often include ladybugs in their artwork as a symbol of good luck and positivity.

6. Owl: Wise and mysterious, owls represent knowledge and intuition in children's art. Research by Karmiloff-Smith and others suggests that children may draw owls when they are exploring new ideas or seeking wisdom.

7. Rabbit: Rabbits symbolize fertility and abundance, as they jump into our paintings with boundless energy. Research by Rhoades and others has shown that children often include rabbits in their artwork as a sign of growth and renewal.

8. Turtle: slow and steady, turtles symbolize patience and resilience in children's drawings. Research by Winnicott and others suggests that children may draw turtles during times of stress or uncertainty to remind themselves to take things one step at a time.

9. Unicorn: Magical and magical, unicorns symbolize imagination and wonder in art for children. Studies by Goodenough and others have found that children often include unicorns in their drawings as a representation of fantasy and creativity.

10. Whale: Majestic and mysterious whales symbolize strength and emotional depth in children's art. Research by Lowenfeld and others suggests that children may draw whales to express their feelings of power and connection to the world around them.

Animals as negative symbols:

1. Bat: With its association with darkness and the unknown, bats can symbolize fear and anxiety in children's drawings. Research by Freud and others suggests that children may draw bats when they experience feelings of discomfort or insecurity.

2. Crocodile: Sneaky and menacing crocodiles symbolize danger and aggression in children's art. Studies by Winn and others have found that children include crocodiles in their drawings as a representation of fear or perceived threats.

3. Dragon: Fierce and fiery, dragons symbolize chaos and destruction in children's drawings. Research by Jung and others suggests that children may draw dragons when faced with feelings of anger or helplessness.

4. Hyena: With their scary laugh and sucking nature, hyenas can symbolize deception and betrayal in children's art. Studies by Erickson and others have found that children may draw hypocrites when they experience feelings of distrust or conflict.

5. Spider: Creepy and crawling spiders symbolize fear and unease in children's drawings. Research by Kellogg and others suggests that children may draw spiders when they encounter situations that make them feel trapped or vulnerable.

6. Snake: Cunning and slippery, snakes symbolize deception and danger in children's art. Studies by Piaget and others have found that children often include snakes in their drawings as a representation of fear or deception.

7. Eagle: With its association with death and decay, eagles can symbolize loss and grief in children's drawings. Research by Bowlby and others suggests that children may draw eagles when they experience feelings of sadness or grief.

8. Wolf: Cunning and predatory, wolves symbolize aggression and hostility in children's art. Research by Harlow and others has found that children may draw wolves when they encounter situations that make them feel threatened or vulnerable.

9. Shark: With its sharp teeth and powerful presence, sharks symbolize danger and fear in children's drawings. Research by Freud and others suggests that children may draw sharks when they experience feelings of anxiety or vulnerability.

10. Scorpion: With its venomous sting, scorpions can symbolize betrayal and hurt in children's art. Studies by Erickson and others have found that children may draw scorpions when they encounter situations that make them feel betrayed or hurt.

In conclusion, I will mention and say, deciphering children's drawings is an area that must be handled with care and responsibility. This responsibility rests first and foremost on deciphering children's drawings. And those who apply to him must check the reliability, professionalism and professional ethics of the children's drawings decipherer.

This article was written by Kobi Avraham (MA) Social change in the arts. An expert decipherer of children's drawings.