Throughout Europe, Norway Rat (Brown Rat) is considered a pest. Although, He rarely lives in occupied buildings, Norway Rat scavenges for food near garbage dumps. The greatest Mammal pest of all time, Norway Rat has caused more deaths than all the wars in history. Carrying fleas, Norway Rat is the source of many diseases fatal to people.
However, in Asia, where Norway Rat is native, He is honored. In India, He is worshipped at the Temple of Deshnoken, where the Hindu Saint Karni Mata came back as a Rat. Norway Rat is also depicted at the feet of Ganesha, the Elephant God.
In China, Norway Rat is the first animal in the 12 year cycle. According to the Chinese, Buddha summoned all the animals to him. Only twelve showed up, and Norway Rat was first to come. Because of Norway Rat’s promptness, Buddha made the first year of the cycle, Norway Rat’s, the year of prosperity and hard work.
Norway Rat traveled west to Europe, swimming the Volga River. Arriving in Europe, He brought devastating diseases with Him that Europeans were not immune to. For that reason, Norway Rat is associated with death in European minds. Among Christians, He became the symbol of Satan thriving off the misfortunes of the Children of God.
Norway Rats lives with his Fellow Rats in Townships. Great burrowers, He and His friends construct elaborate tunnel systems. Signs of his Township going about their business are narrow and well-used paths. Wary of new things, Norway Rat will avoid them in his travels. However, He loves to touch things and will bring familiar items back to the Township.
This small Animal teaches unseen power. Although prey to Cats and Owls, Norway Rat still has power over them. In his affairs, He brings death. Norway Rat eats food meant for people or gnaws at their possessions. He represents the unseen power of death. Be careful in your affairs, He counsels.
Norway Rat’s Teachings Also Includes:
“In fact, history is everything when it comes to looking at rats---thought it is not the history you generally read; it is the unwritten history. Rats wind up in the disused vaults, in long underground tunnels that aren’t necessarily going anywhere…And to find a rat, a lot of times you have to look at what a place was.” Copyright: “RATS: Observations on the History & Habitat of the City’s Most Unwanted Inhabitants”, Robert Sullivan.
“Like Tree of Heaven, Rat transforms trash into treasure. Rat’s power is resourcefulness: he can live anywhere, eat anything, use everything.” Copyright: “Plant and Animal Guides for the Urban Pagan”.
“The rat of course I rate first. He lives in your house without helping you to buy it, or he eats what you eat without helping you raise it, you cannot get rid of him. Were he not a cannibal, he would long since have inherited the earth.” Copyright: “The Reivers”, William Faulkner.
Va. Carper
May 14, 2004