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The Manatee symbolizes peace, love and kindness above all. They connect those with the Manatee totem to communication, exploration a slower pace of life and forming close bonds, but not necessarily enjoying large groups.
Manatee will teach you to simplify your life, shut out the noise and reduce life to only the necessary for a more peaceful experience. Manatee is also about trusting in pothers, and opening up to new experiences, which will attract more opportunities, and connections in life.
The Manatee is a great listener, enjoys sharing emotions with others, and is a gentle partner and friend. Those with this totem will gladly listen and give honest, and warm advice to anyone who comes to them. They will also be able to stand their ground, and aren't naïve or gullible.
Manatee could be considered the ultimate pacifists, mostly herbivores, and masters of non-violence, even in a conflict, which could be problematic when there is a need to do so to protect themselves. Manatee symbolizes slow but steady progress, and is also about surrender, acceptance, letting peace, love and trust in your heart.
Killing of a Manatee was considered a crime, especially punishable by African tribal customs, as they are considered sacred, and even believed to be once human which may have ben the source of the mermaid myths.
The Manatee is mostly closely related to the Elephant than to other marine creatures. Manatees usually move 5mph, but can speed up to 15 mph in short bursts. Because they are such slow-moving animals most of the time, algae and barnacles can often be found on the backs of manatees.
"Let your breathing become deep and rhythmic, like the sea. Soften all your edges. I am the great harmless one. Rest in the safety of my embrace. Let my love float all around you, melting your worries, one by one. I am manatee, the ancient one. Let me enter your dreams…that is all." – Richard Rudd, The Dream Arc