Beauty and strength are what most people admire most about Tiger, the only Cat with a striped coat. The largest living Cat in the world, She possesses both grace and mystery. Because of her reputation as a dangerous foe, people have hunted Tiger to prove their bravery.
During the day, Tiger rests in the shade. Sometimes, She likes to lie in a quiet pool of water to escape the heat. (Unlike most cats, Tiger likes swimming.) At dusk, She begins her hunt for food. Using her keen eyesight and hearing, Tiger looks for Deer or Wild Pigs.
A solitary hunter, Tiger prefers a large range where She sees no other Tiger. She does not choose her prey but will stalk and ambush any nearby animal. Using the cover of trees, Tiger carefully places each foot on the ground, moving slowly towards Her Prey. When Tiger is next to the unfortunate animal, She explodes in a rush and bites his neck.
Most people see Tiger as a man hunter, since She has been responsible for deaths of more people than any other Cat. One famous Tiger, the Champawat Tigress killed 436 people in the early part of the Twentieth Century. However Tiger does not actively hunt people but will kill someone if She happens upon them. Although Tiger spends most of her time hunting, her reputation as a vicious killer is underserved.
Because of Tiger’s fearsome beauty, She has been a part of religious life in Asia. In China, five mythic Tigers guard the universe. In Taoism, the forces controlling the universe are the Yin of the Tiger and the Yang of the Dragon. For the Chinese, Tigers protected graves from being disturbed. For Hindus, Shiva, the Destroyer and Creator, rides a Tiger. Meanwhile, the Moslems of Sumatra believed that Tiger punished sinners on the behalf of Allah. And, Malaysians consider it bad manners to refer to Tiger by name, so they call Her “Lady”.
The exquisite grace and power of Tiger evokes awe and fear in people. Capable of killing animals twice her size, Tiger is one of nature’s most feared predators. What Tiger teaches people is for them to act swiftly and with resolve. Although powerful and quick over short distances, Tiger cannot out run Wild Ox or Buffalo. She must stalk them, and then explode into action to kill the unfortunate animal. Tiger’s quick action and resolve ensures Her a meal. Just be mindful when you act or you may get a fierce reputation like Tiger.
Tiger’s Teachings Also Include:
“He who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount.” – Chinese proverb
“Tiger, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?” – William Blake, “Tiger”
“Tiger shows us, by example, how to take our time and do things careful, to pause from time to time and to asset the situation.” Copyright: Dolfyn and Swimming Wolf, “Shamanic Wisdom II”
“Tiger’s lessons is simple, for he will show you the parts of your life where extra power or passion is needed – and then he will show you where to find those. He will present a new area of life for you to get excited about, to reawaken your sense of passion, of adventure. Copyright: Unknown.
WHITE TIGER
In China, White Tiger guards the West and stands for the virtue of righteousness. In Feng Shui, White Tiger balances the rooms with Black Tortoise, Green Dragon, and Red Bird. In addition, White Tiger is a protector against evil.
However, people in the United States are more familiar with the White Tigers in zoos. Those Tigers can be traced to Mohan, a single white male captured in India in 1951. This Bengal Tiger had a mutant gene that gave Him, ice-blue eyes, a pink nose, and creamy white fur with chocolate stripes. Since then, the White Tigers have been inbred, creating problems in the Tigers Themselves. International protocols governing Tiger conservation discourage the breeding of White Tigers.
White Tigers's Teachings Also Include:
“White Tiger Dreaming prepares us for a time of quiet by stripping us of any desire to stand out or speak up.” Copyright: “Animal Messengers” by Scott Alexander King
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Drawing of "Tiger Leaping" copyrighted by Mary Ann Sterling
Va. Carper
January 17, 2008