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Mice aren't just little rodents that run around a field.
By Deauna Roane — Written on Oct 27, 2022
Mice arrived in North America with European settlers and have been on earth for more than 65 million years. Originating from Central Asia, there are over 1,100 species of mice that are classified into several families.
Though they have terrible eyesight, mice are fantastic jumpers, climbers and swimmers. They hate the cold, can squeeze through tiny gaps, love eating cheese, and their teeth never stop growing! But the best thing about them is that they have supersonic hearing.
But mice are more than the rodents we see running in fields or, sometimes, in our homes. What is a mouse's deep spiritual meaning?
Mouse Symbolism & Spiritual Meanings Of Mice
A mouse symbolizes endurance, focus, wit, fertility and opportunism, as well as disease and death.
Mice are known for their ability to adapt and endure harsh weather, and for using their sharp intellect to take advantage of the resources around them in order to survive.
A mouse also embodies a representation of peace and innocence more than other animals. Not only that, but mice symbolize courage and persistence, embodying a capability to do grand things despite their small size.
Mouse Encounters and Omens
Mouse encounters are often seen as negative — so negative that there is a strong belief that Satan created the mouse during Noah’s time on his Ark. Another belief is that mice were a plague that fell from the sky during a storm.
In this context, mice are seen as a sign of destruction and evil, and are considered a bad omen.
If you find a mouse eating your clothes or within your home, it can mean bad luck or even death. However, If you find a dead mouse or a mouse on your doorstep, it means you do not need others to validate you.
Then again, people are superstitious about mice and ships. If mice are on your ship or "boarding it," then it's a sign of good luck, but it's forbidden to say the word "mouse" on deck.
Another mouse encounter involves this rodent running in front of you. When a mouse runs out in front of you or crosses your path, the universe is preparing you for an abundance of wealth; other interpretations say this encounter is encouraging you to obtain balance in your waking life.
What Different Color Mice Symbolize
White Mouse Symbolism
A white mouse symbolizes happiness in your love life, and are considered to be sign of finding true love or committing to someone forever. White mice are also seen as a good omen of a happy, long-lasting marriage.
Black Mouse Symbolism
Black mice have two different interpretations associated with them. Black mice can symbolize either degrading health or betrayal, especially of family members.
Gray Mouse Symbolism
A gray mouse symbolizes problems you're facing in your life, and the need to find a solution to them. Gray mice can also represent fear.
Blue Mouse Symbolism
Though blue mice don't exist in real life, you might see one in your dream or as a symbol. A blue mouse is often associated with an open mind and encourages you to look at something from a different perspective.
Pink Mouse Symbolism
Also a specifically colored mouse that doesn't really exist, p pink mouse represents entering into a happy relationship where you are respected. It represents new and true love.
Mouse Symbolism in Dreams
Mouse dreams are very common and can hold great significance in our lives. Dreams of mice can manifest deep guilt and anxiety, and even warn us of danger. But it all depends on the specific circumstances of your dream.
Dreaming of a mouse chasing you
In general, chasing dreams often identify a pursuit. When you dream of a mouse chasing you, it represents the things in your life that are scaring you and preventing you from "chasing" your goals.
Dreaming of catching a mouse
This type of dream is a good sign indicating that you will receive financial gain in the near future. If you dream of catching multiple mice, it's a sign that you need an attitude adjustment.
Dreaming of a mouse in your home
If you are dreaming of a mouse in your house, beware — you are being warned. This dream is a warning that there are fake people in your life and that you need to be careful of their motives.
Dreaming of a mouse running away
If you dream of mice running away, it symbolizes your need to catch something that is out of your reach. Consider this dream a wake-up call to keep pushing forward.
Dreaming of a talking mouse
These types of dreams are specific to what the mouse is saying. Pay attention to the words, as they usually provide insights into your life.
Dreaming of killing a mouse
Killing in a dream usually depicts or symbolizes a victory over another person. This is no different. If you dream of killing mice, it means that you will become victorious over your real-life enemy soon.
Dreaming of many mice
If you have a lot of mice in your dream, it symbolizes fear, insignificance, timidness, lack of assertiveness, or feelings of inadequacy. Dreaming of mice can also represent a sense of overwhelm in your real life.
Dreaming of eating a mouse
Eating a mouse in your dreams symbolizes a need to avoid dangerous situations and dangerous people. It can also represent a hard time in your life and that discussing it with a friend would be very beneficial.
Dreaming of a dead mouse
This dream has a negative meaning associated with it. Unfortunately, dreaming of a dead mouse symbolizes financial hardships coming your way.
Dreaming of a mouse biting you
A dream about a mouse biting you means that trivial matters are giving you stress and mental trauma. You should find someone to talk it out with and look at the bigger picture. This dream also signifies things that are blocking you from growth.
Dreaming of a baby mouse
If you are dreaming of a baby mouse, it signifies that there is someone in your life who is weak and will need help. It can also represent your own fragile ego.
Mouse Spirit or Totem Animal
Spirit animals are spirit guides who help us stay on the right track in our lives. They also teach us important lessons we'll need in the future. Totem animals, on the other hand, are pretty similar, but we invoke them when we need their help.
You cannot choose your spirit animal. But if your spirit guide is a mouse, it means you resonate with the animal in some way or have had an intimate experience with one.
Those who have the mouse as their spirit animal are known to be shy, creative, adaptable, and humble. The mouse spirit animal is also unusually lucky.
Though the mouse is a symbol of fertility, people who have the mouse as a spirit animal often excel in their solitude while paying great attention to detail.
The mouse totem has keen sight and is known for paying attention to everything around them. This allows them to easily and quickly sense danger.
People with a mouse totem care deeply about their families, including their pets. They enjoy being busy and acting alone. The mouse animal totem also grants communication with the spirit world.
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Spiritual Meaning of Mice in Christianity and the Bible
The biblical meaning of mice is of an unclean animal that was never meant to be consumed. They are thought of as a plague that will destroy food and homes.
During Moses' time, mice were sent to damage the grain and houses of the Egyptians. However, there is a moment when a mouse is presented as an angel in Christianity. This is when the Assyrians attempted to conquer Jerusalem.
In all, the mouse symbolizes lost opportunity and jealousy in Christianity.
Spiritual Meaning of Mice in Hinduism
Mice (also known as Mushika or Akhu) in Hinduism represent the ego, the mind, and the pride of the individual. Ganesha, who is one of the most worshiped deities in Hinduism, rides atop a mouse, which completes conquest over egoism.
Spiritual Meaning of Mice in Buddhism
In Buddhism, there are two significant stories that help determine mice symbolism.
The first is the story "The Well Under The Tree." A hunter hangs onto a root in a well to escape an elephant. In the story, there are two mice, one white and one black, who represent day and night. The mice chew on the root, from which he could drop at any moment.
In another popular Buddhist story called "The Mouse Merchant," a poor humble man gains wealth through the advice of an advisor to the king. The moral of the story is that "with energy and ability, great wealth comes even from small beginnings." A mouse represents the same.
Mouse Symbolism in Mythology and Folklore
Native American Mouse Symbolism
The Native American spiritual meaning of a mouse relates to being able to do great things despite its size. Native American culture associates mice with courage, persistence, and being able to succeed where others cannot.
In some tribes, like the Tlingit tribe, the mouse is associated with witchcraft.
Far East Asian Mouse Symbolism
In Chinese culture, mice often represent fertility due to their ability to reproduce numerous times during their lifespan. They are also seen as intelligent and cunning.
The mouse is even one of the many Chinese zodiac signs, and is known to be a creative person that can adapt to any circumstance.
Mice are also seen as messengers from God with the power to communicate with the spiritual world. In Ancient China, people worshiped mice with sacrifices.
African Mouse Symbolism
African mouse symbolism is associated with being silly and arrogant, and is derived from a folktale about a mouse who believes he is the most powerful animal in the savannah.
The tale tells of a childlike mouse who boasts about his power to the other animals and searches for an elephant to prove his strength. Upon meeting the elephant, the mouse is easily washed away; however, the mouse wakes from his unconscious state still believing he would have won if there wasn't a flood.
Celtic Mouse Symbolism
In Celtic culture, mice are used as medicine, often as an ointment to cure baldness. It is also said that a mouse would chew the ear of Saint Colman after a day of prayer.
Mouse Tattoo Meaning
Mouse tattoos carry with them many meanings from fertility to shyness to loyalty. They range from brightly colored to black and white, and the message or meaning always depends on the design of the tattoo.
A cartoon mouse tattoo represents cleverness, amusement, curiosity, friendship, and loyalty.
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Deauna Nunes is an associate editor for YourTango who covers pop culture, lifestyle, astrology, and relationship topics. She's had bylines in Emerson College's literary magazine, Generic.