Throughout recorded history, people have endowed Dolphins with symbolic potency. Various Dolphins were the intermediaries between the Worlds of the Living and the Dead. Seeing an inquisitive Dolphin frolicking in a ship’s wake, people thought that He was a messenger from the water gods. Dolphin frescoes from the Palace of Knossos in Crete (1600 BC) show Dolphins in all their mythic glory. In Christianity, Dolphins symbolize Christ. Meanwhile, New Age people see Dolphins as emissaries from the stars.
What are Dolphins or Delphinidae? They form the largest family of Cetaceans (Whales) ranging from Hector’s Dolphin to Killer Whale. Delphinidae have bulgy heads and distinctive beaks. That bulge under their foreheads is the “melon” which helps Them focus sound waves when They echolocate. Delphinidae whistle and click to navigate and “see” in the ocean.
Highly intelligent, Delphinidae adapt quickly to any situation, They find Themselves in. Scientists have determined that these Animals have a sense of self. Dolphins recognize Themselves and others. Not only that, They have a language, complete with dialects based on where They live and the pods They travel in. Communicating by whistles, clicks, tail-slapping, Dolphins speak to each other. Mothers whistle to their Calves teaching them the language of their pod.
Dolphins have a reputation for violence. When They are angry, They ram each other and people, and rake their teeth across each other’s bodies. In addition, They use sound to annoy each other. Killer Whales (Orcas) are the only Cetaceans (Whales) that hunt other Whales, and are appropriately called “Wolves of the Sea”. Meanwhile, Bottlenose Dolphins kill Porpoises in their territories. Like people, Dolphins have their good and bad sides.
Delphinidae teach conscious living. Never fully sleeping, They have to remain partly awake to breathe. Using echolocation, Dolphins are more conscious of what goes on about them. With their curiosity and intelligence, Delphinidae chose to be aware of Themselves. They ask the same of you.
Note: Porpoises are smaller and have rounded instead of beak-shaped snouts. They are in their own family of Phocoenidae. River Dolphins (Platanistidae) are separate group from Ocean Dolphins (Delphinidae).
Conversation Note: Hector’s Dolphin is protected in New Zealand. Dolphins in U.S. waters are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Dolphins have graciously intertwined their lives with mankind for centuries. Through the ages, They have given people many gifts. These gifts range from healing energy to wise counsel. Come and partake of the gifts from the Dolphins. For more information, go to: Gifts from the Dolphins
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Pictures of "Two Dolphins" and "Dolphin" copyrighted by Mary Ann Sterling
Va. Carper
March 16, 2008