Sacred Animals in Hindu Mythology

Today we’re looking at Hindu mythology and where sacred animals fit into the picture. We also cover the Hindu dog God and Hindu names for dogs. To add to that goodness, you’ll read about black dog mythology and dog mythology names from mythologies all around the world. There’s a nod to cats too, of course.

Let’s get into it…

Several creatures from the animal kingdom have a special place in human culture. In Christianity, the dove 🕊️ is adulated. In Islam the tiger is revered. Buddhism exalts the deer. When it comes to Hinduism, the cow has the number one spot among sacred animals and not too far behind there’s the Hindu dog God.

Since dogs and cats have a special place as pets in most Aussie households, any mention of a dog God is worth a wagging tail. That’s why today we’re looking at Hindu mythology and where cats and dogs fit into the picture…

When it comes to sacred animals, cats are late to the game

Cats only appeared on the scene after Hindu mythology was well developed. They arrived in India with British colonisers and dogs had already long secured their special spot.

As a result, cats don’t feature as prominently as sacred animals. And when they do, they don’t always represent good things. But more on that later; first let’s talk about dogs…

Sacred animals and the Hindu dog God

Dogs are finely woven into the history of Hindu mythology as sacred animals. While they don’t receive as high standing as cows, elephants, snakes and horses they have a fundamental role to play.

A dear friend and loyal servant

Dogs are seen as dear friends and loyal servants and they’re worshipped across different regions of India. Next door in Nepal, dogs are seen as guardians of the ancestors.

That’s not too unlike the role dogs play as trusted companion animals in our day-to-day lives. They’re there for us when we need them.

Given half a chance, they wouldn’t think twice about putting themselves between their people and harm’s way. Some dog breeds are well known for their exceptional guarding instinct, like the German Shepherd and Rottweiler.

Tihar (festival of lights)

Dogs are sacred animals every day of the year. But in Nepal, there are five days where they’re heaped with even more worship. That’s right, every year during Tihar, the annual five-day festival of lights in Nepal, dogs are worshipped in several ways.

On day two of the festival, dogs get all the attention they could imagine. Firstly, they’re honoured with flower garlands. Secondly, they’re adorned with Sandalwood paste on their forehead and, thirdly, people offer them prayers and special treats. It’s a dog’s life!

BTW, the adornment on a dog’s forehead represents their ‘third eye’ seen as a gateway to inner consciousness. Check out this video of adorable dogs being treated during Tihar:

Diwali and pets

When it comes to festivals of lights, Diwali is another that’s celebrated energetically in India. It’s actually India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. The celebrations include some magnificent fireworks displays, but the beauty of this is lost on pets – and understandably so given their sensitivity to noise, vibrations and unexpected movement.

Read ‘Your Guide to a Pet Friendly Diwali‘ article and our tips for pet safety during fireworks to learn more.

Dogs in symbolism

Dogs aren’t just sacred animals, they’re even Hindu dog gods. Here are some of the Hindu dog gods plus more momentous ways that dogs are woven into Hinduism:

• Godly dogs. Yama the God of death and his sister Yami are sometimes represented as Hindu dog gods. The god Mallanna (from folk tradition) is also worshipped as a dog.
• Invoking dogs. Dogs are often invoked when worshipping Gods, like the God Khandoba.
• Heavenly dogs. Sarama is a heavenly Hindu dog god and considered mother of all dogs.
• Tantric dogs. Bhairava (also known as Shiva) is worshipped in Tantra and sometimes is shown with a dog face. He also rides a dog.
• Temple dogs. Stray dogs are fed at temples and statues of dogs also adorn some temples, like the Kali Bhairava temple.

On the other hand, a dog baying at night is seen as a bad omen. If your baying dog is sleeping outside, they might just be wanting in. Read can dogs sleep outside to find out why. Better still, read why sleeping with your dog in your bed can benefit your health.

Protecting dogs

In Australia, stray dogs often meet with a sad fate when not timeously adopted from pet shelters. However, in India where 80% of the population is Hindi, stray dogs are never put down. They’re well respected, meaning they’re not to be hurt or abused either.

That said, the number of wandering strays is still an issue that has attracted the attention and help of animal welfare organisations like Vets Beyond Borders.

Hindu names for dogs

If you’ve just adopted a dog or bought a new puppy and brought it home, you might want to give them a Hindu name.

Here are some cute Hindu names for dogs for your inspiration board:

• Male and female Hindu dog names (and their inspo)
• 375 Hindu dog names (surely something will gel from this list)
• If not, 50 more Hindu dog names (and their meaning)

Dog mythology names

Many cultures have a pantheon of gods, goddesses, and mythical creatures with strong personalities and traits, making them perfect for inspiring pet names. Pawrents often want dog mythology names that stand out, which is why so many turn to mythology.

Dogs with personalities as big as the heavens deserve names that match (we’re talking about that Miniature Schnauzer of yours!). These dog mythology names from long-ago times range from ancient Greek, Roman, and Norse gods and goddesses to honoured heroes, including top contenders Thor, Loki, Zeus, and Aphrodite. Other classic, timeless dog mythology names include Apollo, Poseidon, Athena, and Hercules. For a list of dog names from different mythologies in the world, here are a few:

• Roman mythology
• Greek mythology
• Manipuri mythology (Meitei mythology)
• Norse mythology
• Japanese mythology
• Anglo-Saxon mythology
• Etruscan mythology
• African mythology

Black dog mythology

There are some really spooky black dog mythology stories out there, but it’s not fair to judge dogs based on their coat colour. While some cultures have tales of supernatural creatures that look like dogs, they’re usually based on superstition and fear.

All we’re saying is digest this black dog mythology info with a pinch of salt. Actually, a whole jar of salt, to be honest…

England’s hellhound – the ghostly Black Shuck

The “devil dog” with glowing eyes has been supposedly terrorising England for centuries and is known as Black Shuck, Old Shuck, or sometimes just Shuck. This black dog mythology is based on the giant hellhound knocking down church doors in 1577 and killing two people kneeling in prayer.

Anyone who’s seen a Black Shuck describes it as a large, black dog with a mangy coat. This black dog would supposedly be larger-than-normal – as large as a horse! As if it was deranged, rabid, or ravenous for the next meal, it’d be foaming at the mouth.

Could this have been a great way to get kids in before sundown? Hmmm…

The Greek God of death, Hades and Cerberus

Hades’ gates are guarded by Cerberus, a gigantic three-headed hound (yes, you read right). Basically, this doggo with razor-sharp teeth is tasked with stopping the dead from leaving the underworld, in a very terrifying manner of course.

Of course, in black dog mythology, this hell hound has a serpent’s tail, a mane of snakes, and lion claws. According to some sources, his three heads represent the past, present, and future, while others say they’re symbolic of youth, old age, and birth.

One of Cerberus’ most potent abilities was his look, which instantly turned anyone into stone when they gazed into his eyes. Cerberus also has poison as an added bonus; when poison drips from his mouth and falls onto the ground, a plant called wolf’s bane grows from it.

Cats don’t feature as prominently

Cats were around in Eastern Europe and the Middle East before spreading their wings around the world (read how domestic cats started). While the dog got a head start on becoming a sacred animal in Hinduism, the cat still gets a spot.

Unlike dogs that are both loyal and revered cats simply don’t get the limelight in Hinduism because they don’t appear to need us humans… Go on, most cat mums and dads likely agree.

In fact, cats are seen as covetous. Even though you feed them they’re still prone to go off hunting and they simply don’t obey orders. Sorry cats, dogs tick the right boxes.

Yet, cats are still sacred animals

That said, in Hinduism all of life is sacred. This means a cat is still somewhat of a sacred animal. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a cat.

Because of their great hunting skills cats are also allowed to visit different homes to get rid of unwanted rodents. It’s an exchange that goes way back and is part of how humans and cats became friends in the first place.

The analogy of the cat

As sacred animals go, cats are seen as having a lesson to teach us. The Hindu sect of Tenkalai believes in the analogy of the cat, or the ‘doctrine of marjara-nyaya’. The analogy is of a kitten surrendering to its mum as she carries it by the scruff of its neck. This is likened to how we can surrender to God, who’ll help carry us to our new home and away from obstacles.

A further analogy is that the mum carrying her kittens from one home to the next is like a soul’s journey from one life to the next via reincarnation.

What sacred animal are you?

Speaking of sacred animals, cats and dogs certainly aren’t the only ones. From further afield, going from west to east, read our article on Chinese New Year to see which Chinese Zodiac animal you are.

There’s no denying animals are sacred to us. By reading up on illnesses that might affect our pets and how to deal with them if they do, we can protect them from harm. So, click on over to:

1. Dog Anxiety 101: Treatment, Triggers and Prevention
2. Should You Desex Your Cat?
3. What is Cherry Eye and the Third Eyelid in Dogs?
4. Average Cat Weight: Is Yours Under, Over or Just Right?
5. Yes or No – Can Dog DNA Testing Prevent Hereditary Dog Diseases?

Pet insurance for your very own sacred animal

We know the most sacred animal is the pet you call your own. That’s why PD Insurance offers one or more months of FREE pet insurance when you buy online.

From cat insurance to dog insurance our three plans cover a range of medical needs. These include unexpected visits to the vet, dental care, third party liability and so much more. Take two minutes to get a quick quote.