Need a Little Motivation? These 7 Animals Represent Strength and Wisdom
Dec. 19 2023, Published 10:32 a.m. ET
![Two adult elephants and one baby elephant holding grass in their trunks](https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/yQGRqA1aj/480x251/animals-that-represent-strength-1702999944700.jpg?position=top 480w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/yQGRqA1aj/640x335/animals-that-represent-strength-1702999944700.jpg?position=top 640w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/yQGRqA1aj/768x402/animals-that-represent-strength-1702999944700.jpg?position=top 768w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/yQGRqA1aj/1024x536/animals-that-represent-strength-1702999944700.jpg?position=top 1024w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/yQGRqA1aj/1280x670/animals-that-represent-strength-1702999944700.jpg?position=top 1280w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/yQGRqA1aj/1440x753/animals-that-represent-strength-1702999944700.jpg?position=top 1440w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/yQGRqA1aj/1600x837/animals-that-represent-strength-1702999944700.jpg?position=top 1600w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/yQGRqA1aj/2160x1130/animals-that-represent-strength-1702999944700.jpg?position=top 2160w)
People find inpsiration in animals for all sorts of reasons. And if you're looking for a little strength inspiration — whether physical or mental — there are plenty of creatures that may motivate you.
So next time you need a little encouragement, remind yourself of one of these seven animals that represent strength.
Lions
![A lion stands in an enclosure.](https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/D5Ek1rZuj/480x252/animals-strength1-1702675839290.jpg 480w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/D5Ek1rZuj/640x335/animals-strength1-1702675839290.jpg 640w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/D5Ek1rZuj/768x402/animals-strength1-1702675839290.jpg 768w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/D5Ek1rZuj/1024x536/animals-strength1-1702675839290.jpg 1024w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/D5Ek1rZuj/1280x670/animals-strength1-1702675839290.jpg 1280w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/D5Ek1rZuj/1440x754/animals-strength1-1702675839290.jpg 1440w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/D5Ek1rZuj/1600x838/animals-strength1-1702675839290.jpg 1600w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/D5Ek1rZuj/2160x1131/animals-strength1-1702675839290.jpg 2160w)
There's a reason these fearless felines are nicknamed "king of the jungle." Lions are fierce creatures with immense physical power. They have a commanding presence, making themselves known amongst the jungle kingdom.
Komodo dragons
![A komodo dragon on a tree trunk.](https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/BV3avxVEg/480x252/animals-strength-5-1702677069375.jpg 480w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/BV3avxVEg/640x335/animals-strength-5-1702677069375.jpg 640w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/BV3avxVEg/768x402/animals-strength-5-1702677069375.jpg 768w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/BV3avxVEg/1024x536/animals-strength-5-1702677069375.jpg 1024w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/BV3avxVEg/1280x670/animals-strength-5-1702677069375.jpg 1280w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/BV3avxVEg/1440x754/animals-strength-5-1702677069375.jpg 1440w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/BV3avxVEg/1600x838/animals-strength-5-1702677069375.jpg 1600w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/BV3avxVEg/2160x1131/animals-strength-5-1702677069375.jpg 2160w)
Komodo dragons are the world's largest lizard species. They span lengths around 10 feet long, and can weigh up to 200 pounds, according to the American Museum of Natural History. Komodo dragons symbolize strength because of their powerful build and lethal bite, as per myspiritsphere.com. They're adaptable and can survive in isolated environments.
Wolves
If you've ever been called a "lone wolf," that may not necessarily be a bad thing. Wolves are fierce hunters that prefer to travel in a pack, but also feel confident separating from the group and going off on their own, according to All totems. They are among the most popular animals thought to symbolize strength and courage.
Wolves are also prominent figures in some Native American cultures, who associated them with strength and loyalty, according to Native-Languages.org.
Elephants
![An elephant walks through the brush.](https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/YzKRUeMLF/480x252/animals-strength-3-1702676529117.jpg 480w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/YzKRUeMLF/640x335/animals-strength-3-1702676529117.jpg 640w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/YzKRUeMLF/768x402/animals-strength-3-1702676529117.jpg 768w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/YzKRUeMLF/1024x536/animals-strength-3-1702676529117.jpg 1024w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/YzKRUeMLF/1280x670/animals-strength-3-1702676529117.jpg 1280w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/YzKRUeMLF/1440x754/animals-strength-3-1702676529117.jpg 1440w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/YzKRUeMLF/1600x838/animals-strength-3-1702676529117.jpg 1600w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/YzKRUeMLF/2160x1131/animals-strength-3-1702676529117.jpg 2160w)
Elephants represent strength, in part, because of their massive stature. African adult elephants can weigh up to 12,000 pounds, according to Wonderopolis.
Elephant trunks, which are flexible and used for protection and foraging for food among other things, are estimated to have approximately 40,000 muscles each, as per the Cleveland Zoological Society. These animals can crush just about anything in their paths, but also signify a quiet elegance and wisdom.
Eagles
![An eagle spreads his wings.](https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/m0NFe-7DF/480x252/animals-strength2-1702676099863.jpg 480w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/m0NFe-7DF/640x335/animals-strength2-1702676099863.jpg 640w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/m0NFe-7DF/768x402/animals-strength2-1702676099863.jpg 768w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/m0NFe-7DF/1024x536/animals-strength2-1702676099863.jpg 1024w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/m0NFe-7DF/1280x670/animals-strength2-1702676099863.jpg 1280w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/m0NFe-7DF/1440x754/animals-strength2-1702676099863.jpg 1440w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/m0NFe-7DF/1600x838/animals-strength2-1702676099863.jpg 1600w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/m0NFe-7DF/2160x1131/animals-strength2-1702676099863.jpg 2160w)
In some Native American cultures, eagles symbolize strength, as per St. Joseph's Indian School.
With a long wingspan and exceptional eye sight, these birds fly freely at incredible heights and still see clearly.
Rams
As noted by per myspiritsphere.com, Egyptian and Greek mythologies connected the ram with power and leadership. They're also associated with power and force, often partaking in head-butting competitions to show off their strength.
Horses
![A white horse prances.](https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/0yaW_-Gvr/480x252/strength-animals-6-1702677190577.jpg 480w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/0yaW_-Gvr/640x335/strength-animals-6-1702677190577.jpg 640w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/0yaW_-Gvr/768x402/strength-animals-6-1702677190577.jpg 768w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/0yaW_-Gvr/1024x536/strength-animals-6-1702677190577.jpg 1024w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/0yaW_-Gvr/1280x670/strength-animals-6-1702677190577.jpg 1280w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/0yaW_-Gvr/1440x754/strength-animals-6-1702677190577.jpg 1440w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/0yaW_-Gvr/1600x838/strength-animals-6-1702677190577.jpg 1600w, https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/0yaW_-Gvr/2160x1131/strength-animals-6-1702677190577.jpg 2160w)
Horses are reliable animals known for their stamina and speed, as noted by All totems. They have long been used for transportation, from making cross-country journeys to riding them into battle. Horses are swift, dependable creatures that move forward with strength and purpose, per Horse Riding Guide.