Skip to Content

Bull Symbolism: 9 Hidden Meanings Behind the Powerful Bull

Bull Symbolism: 9 Hidden Meanings Behind the Powerful Bull

The bull is a symbol that represents masculinity and power. But, there is a lot more to the bull than meets the eye.

There is a lot to be said about bull symbolism as this animal is symbolic in many cultures.

Every culture and mythology has its own stories about the bull. In some cases, the characteristics are very similar in nature.

Some people may say that the bull is not an attractive animal. These people need to take a closer look at this beautiful beast.

When you look at a bull, the first thing you see is strength and power.

In fact, bulls are often associated with athletes and bodybuilders. But, they are also associated with beauty.

Today we are going to take a look at many different aspects of bull symbolism and what this animal means to many different cultures, as well as the meanings behind bull dreams.

Let's get started.

Bull Symbolism Defined

Charging Bull

As mentioned in the introduction, there are many things that the bull can symbolize. For instance, the bull is often seen in many cultures as a symbol of fertility.

This animal, which represents the Taurus constellation, is often associated with fertility due to the calendar month in which it represents.

This is the time for rebirth and replenishment, as well as abundance.

Let's take a look at some more ways that the bull is seen in cultures all over the world.

1. Determination

There is a reason for the saying, “stubborn as a bull.”

The bull is a very stubborn and determined animal, so it only stands to reason that it would represent determination and perseverance.

No matter what it is trying to do, the bull will not stop until he gets what he wants. He will persevere until he is satisfied.

Those who associate with the bull show this same determination in everything that they do. If they are given a task, they complete it, no matter how difficult that task may be.

This is one of the main reasons why people take part in and attend bull fights and the running of the bulls.

Taming one of these giants shows that one has the power and determination to overcome any obstacle.

2. Stubbornness

The bull is a stubborn animal. If he doesn't want to do something, there is nothing in this world that will make him do it.

A bull will dig in its heels, so to speak. Literally, it will dig its feet into the ground in order to resist whatever it is they don't want to do.

But, don't think that stubbornness is a bad thing. It is actually a good trait to have, particularly when it comes to making tough decisions.

3. Strength

Many cultures associate the bull with strength. In fact, in many ancient religions, the bull was a very common figure associated with strength.

You will find the bull represented in ancient art and literature. It is also a large figure (no pun intended) in astrology and astronomy.

Because of its sheer strength, the bull is often seen as a protector. In fact, statues of bulls were often found in front of religious buildings and temples as a sign of protection.

RELATED: Bear Spirit Animal Meaning – Totem, Symbolism And More

4. Knowledge

The bull is an extremely intelligent animal. In ancient times it was thought that it could communicate with the gods.

The fact that the bull represents Taurus and its placement in the zodiac show that it represents enlightenment and knowledge.

If you are on your own spiritual journey, the bull is a great spirit guide to lean on. It will give you the strength you need to keep at it, and help you to reach a higher level of enlightenment.

This enlightenment will bring about more peace of mind, and you will have a better sense of well-being and happiness.

On the other hand, if you are seeking knowledge, the bull can also be symbolic for you.

Maybe you are thinking about furthering your education. The bull is a symbol that will represent your ability to learn and grow.

If you want to increase your knowledge, the bull is the best spirit animal to call on. Ask the bull spirit to give you the wisdom needed to help you make the best decisions for your life.

5. Abundance

Bull as a symbol of abundance

Many cultures see the bull as a symbol of wealth and abundance. This makes sense, seeing as how the bull is symbolic of the harvest and the abundance of meat.

Those who pursue wealth and abundance tend to see the bull often.

It is a reminder that in order to achieve these goals, one must create their own reality and work hard to get what one wants.

If you are looking for ways to increase your personal wealth, it is time to tap into the energy of the bull.

You may even want to consider looking for your fortune through agriculture.

At the very least, it may be a good idea to include agricultural trades in your investment portfolio.

The bull, as a spirit animal, can guide you towards the best financial decisions and make your wealth grow.

RELATED: 11 Money Attraction Symbols You Can Use To Become A Wealth Magnet

6. Leadership

In a patriarchal society, the male is seen as the leader of the family. It is the same in the animal kingdom.

The bull is seen as the leader of the cow family. He is very protective of his family members.

If the bull appears to you, it may be a sign that you need to take on a bigger leadership role within your own family or in the business world.

All humans, both male, and female have their own responsibilities.

The bull is a symbol that one needs to put more effort into their responsibilities. This is particularly true if one has found themselves to be slacking off on some things.

Seeing a bull is a good reminder that you need to step up and take on more of a leadership role. This is something that needs to be taken very seriously, just as the bull takes his role very seriously.

Your leadership role can be within your family or in a professional setting.

If you have been considering trying to advance in your career, seeing a bull is a good sign that you are doing the right thing.

7. Loyalty

If you know someone who was born under the sign of Taurus, hang on to that person. This is someone who is extremely loyal.

The bull is a symbol of loyalty, and those born under this sign value their own loyalty to their loved ones, co-workers, and others.

Seeing a bull is often a reminder of your loyalty and how it is ingrained into your personality.

The bull is a sign that you always need to be true to yourself and to be who you are no matter what.

Never allow anything to get in the way of your loyalty to others and to yourself. The bull is a sign that you need to stick to your values, which include your sense of loyalty.

If you have seen a bull while dreaming, it could mean that there is someone in your world who is being disloyal to you.

This could be anyone from a loved one to a colleague at work.

If you are a Taurean, chances are you are quick to anger. This is particularly true when you find out that someone is being disloyal to you.

Just remember, there is a reason for everything. Before you go jumping off the handle, step back and consider what is really going on.

If you do end up discovering that there is some disloyalty going on, it is best to remain calm and rational and not let your temper get the best of you.

8. Temperament

Since we are on the subject of the Taurean temper, let's delve into this a bit more.

We've all seen bullfights on television, so we all know just how temperamental bulls can be.

They will charge at anyone or anything that is in their way, and they don't care if they maim or kill someone.

Unfortunately, this is often the way with Taureans as well. When their tempers flare, there is almost nothing that can hold them back.

The bull is often a symbol of anger.

If it is your spirit animal, you are probably already quite aware of this and have the tendency to have very angry outbursts at times.

It is okay to have anger and to express your emotions. But, always keep in mind that everything you do and say will come back to you threefold.

Seeing the bull or having it as your sign could be a reminder that you need to be careful about how you express your emotions.

You don't want to do anything that is going to hurt someone else.

On the other hand, because you are a bull, you also have a lot of control over your emotions. You have the tools needed to be able to express them in a healthy manner.

9. High Standards

Because the bull is such a strong personality, those who associate with this animal often have very high standards.

In fact, they can be overly hard on themselves and push themselves to the point where they can't take any more.

If you are a Taurus, you may have the tendency to overestimate yourself at times, and you don't see your limitations.

It is okay to push yourself, but there is a point where you can end up pushing too hard and too far. When this happens, it can be detrimental to your physical and emotional health.

If you have dreamed that a bull has bested you in a battle, it could be that you have set goals that are just too unrealistic and unattainable.

Yes, you should strive for the best, but not to the point where you create goals you just can't reach.

Dreaming about Bulls? What it Really Means

Dreaming about Bulls

There are many different ways that dreams can be interpreted. This includes dreams about bulls.

For instance, if you are dreaming about a bull in a field, it could be that you are at peace with your life and the world around you.

Or, it could mean that it is time to take a breather and go back to your roots.

Your dreams may be telling you that you need to relax and take time for yourself in order to be more productive in the long run.

Let's take a look at some more meanings behind dreams about bulls.

Taking the Bull by the Horns

Everyone has heard the phrase, “taking the bull by the horns”.

If this is something that you are dreaming about, it may be that you don't have as much control over your life as you should have.

The dream may be telling you to be more aggressive about the things you are dealing with in life.

But, you must do this without being too aggressive. It's a fine line to walk at times.

Basically, you are being told to take the bull by the horns or grasp at life and get all that you can out of it.

The only thing standing in your way is yourself.

Dreaming about Bullfighting

Are you dreaming about bullfighting? If so, there could be several meanings why.

For instance, if you dream that you are a matador, it may be that you are trying to evade something, possibly responsibilities.

In this case, the bull symbolism could be that you are not paying attention to the things that you really should be paying attention to.

On the other hand, if you dream that you are the bull, it could mean that you are having a hard time attaining a goal.

Watching a bullfight in a dream often means that your subconscious is trying to tell you that you need to get out and have more fun. You need to have more adventure in your life.

Dreaming about Bull Statues

Dreaming about bull statues can mean that you haven't been taking your spirituality seriously enough.

It may be time to start paying attention to your dreams, because they may be messages from your spirit guides or guardian angels.

Dreaming about Sad Bulls

Dreaming about a bull that is sad is often a sign of loneliness in your own life.

You may be feeling let down by others or feel that you aren't getting enough attention from your loved ones.

Cultural Bull Symbolism

Cultural Bull symbolism

Many cultures revere the bull, and it is an animal that plays a large role in religious symbolism.

For instance, in the Christian Bible, the bull is referred to as being an aggressive animal that is not easily domesticated.

The bull's strength is referred to in Proverbs 14:4.

Also, in the Bible, bull reproduction is discussed, with one bull reproducing dozens more.

Here are some more ways the bull is seen in cultures all over the world.

Hinduism

The cow is a sacred animal in Hinduism, and the bull plays a very large role in the philosophy.

Nandi, the celestial bull, is the guardian of the three major Hindu gods. Nandi is placed on guard at all Shiva temples.

Celtic

The bull is a symbol of fertility, and because they were so important in Celtic society, it was considered a luxury to own one.

The bull was strongly associated with the zodiac for the Druids, and it was considered to be symbolic of personal wealth.

Chinese

The Chinese revered the bull as a symbol of strength and motivation. The bull is symbolic of people who are stubborn, hard-working, and materialistic.

Because they are so powerful and symbolize strength, it is not uncommon to see sculptures of bulls throughout China.

Sumerian

The bull was a sign of protection in Sumerian culture. Bull statues were placed at entrances to temples for protection.

They also saw the bull symbolizing divinity. They honored Enlil and Enki, the main gods, in song and ritual, naming it the “Great Bull”.

Hebrew

In the Hebrew culture, the bull symbolizes protection and harmony. It also symbolizes how one cares for themselves as well as their loved ones.

You will find statues in front of Hebrew buildings that have been placed there as symbols of protection. This animal is sacred to the Hebrews.

On a Final Note…

You will find the bull in many cultures and religions all over the world.

If you are a Taurean, you already know just how powerful the bull can be and why it is so important to so many people.

Taurus is the bull, and those born under this sign are known to be quite strong and powerful. They exhibit much willpower, and will not back down from a fight, just like the real bull.

The bull can represent many things, but there is one common link among all cultures that revere the bull. That link is the power and protective nature of the bull.

It is seen as a sign of protection in many cultures, and it has had significant importance in many religions, particularly Hinduism.

Thank you, I hope you enjoyed learning about the bull and its symbolism.

Feel free to leave a comment below with your own thoughts on the bull and what it means for you.