Reindeer Symbolism:
Sure, they pull Santa's sleigh at Christmas, but why? Who elected Reindeer? This legendary scenario makes its public appearance in the 1800s in the poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas." Also known as the "Night Before Christmas" we are enchanted by the eight tiny reindeer Santa calls out by name. This may have come from the early Norse myths in which Thor, the thunderous One was transported by a chariot pulled by goat who later morphed into reindeer as the legend was retold over time. I'm not sure about that, but I do know reindeer are symbolic of savvy knowing and they are cunning survivalists able to live in brutal environments. Indigenous people would have observed the reindeer pawing beneath packed snow to access nutritive greens. From this observation, our ancestors would have known where to go for medicinal herbs. Reindeer are one of the first beasts of provision - meaning the first upon humankind relied for food, supplies, warm clothing, tools. This puts the Reindeer on high status - worthy of honoring - and so it is an animal of nobility, worthiness and is symbolic of continuing the tribe (as it provides for its needs). But how can they fly? Reindeer have been known to have a taste for certain hallucinogenic mushrooms, and have been seen to act pretty loopy after consuming them. Apparently they were "flying high" in a hallucinogenic kind of way. This may explain the flying reindeer phenomenon.