Have you ever heard the line about how a tiger can’t change its stripes? There is a good reason for that. While most animals’ fur patterns are only in the fur itself, the Tiger’s stripes are also on its skin! So even if you shaved it down it would still be striped.

Our member of the panthera genus, along with Leopard, Lion, Jaguar and Panther, is the one of a very few cats that actually likes water, and can be found in the wild lounging in a pool of cool water lending itself to a connection to Jungian psychology; as it symbolizes power, strength, and courage, embodying the psyche’s primal, instinctual, and feminine aspects. 

While the Chinese have the Tiger as its 3rd astrological animal symbolizing  Steadfastness, Courage and Bravery as well as an ability to drive away demons. In Japanese lore Tiger is likewise about strength and protection, but also spiritual awakening, but Hindus place the Tiger with the dark, doomsday goddess Kali and creation and destruction. Kali and her necklace of skulls can speak to devotion, power and, perhaps, surprise that is also associated with our friend the Tiger.

When we investigate the shadow side of Tiger we find traits of being overly independant, Anti-social, a ruthless and cunning aggressor ready to do battle for less than altruistic reasons.

So who do you want to be when Tiger jumps into your life? Do you want to be in touch with the milder side of intuition, courage and patience. Taking time to strategize as to what is best for all, or a ruthless aggressor out for only your own benefit?