Badgers in Mythology
Having read the Harry Potter series, and being enough of a fan to have joined this site, what do you think of when you think of badgers? Hufflepuff, right? The loyal, dedicated, hard-working house of Hogwarts.
The badger has also been given important roles in many cultures around the world. I'd like to discuss with you today some of the mythology based around this burrowing creature.
Japan
The Japanese demon Raiju can come in many shapes, including the badger. It is a creature of lighting and/or fire, and the companion of Raijin, the god of lightning. Raiju is usually calm except for during thunderstorms, when he leaps about from tree to tree crying out in thunderous roar. There are those who say the spots struck by lightning were scratched by Raiju's claws.
There is also the Mujina, similar to the Tanuki. The Mujina is a badger or badger-like animal typically depicted as a shape shifter and trickster.
Native America
It is told amongst some tribes that one day the sky and the earth touched, and that from this spot the Coyote and Badger appeared. They are thus known as children of the sky. Soon after, the badger found a hole and burrowed down to the lower world where he was not seen again for some time. The Coyote, on the other hand, chose to stay on the surface with the people.
Below in its sett, the badger is the keeper of the medicine roots. The plants grow down and hang from the ceiling of their burrow home. Due to this, some believe the badger to be a healing spirit. Some might even use the paw of a badger as a talisman for good health!
For those Native Americans whose totem animal is the badger, they believe in digging in and getting work done in a persistent, determined, and focused way. They tend to be solitary and get aggressive when things come up that might shift their focus. Badgers pride themselves on their hard work and will not stop until the job is done, often taking on the responsibilities left behind by others due to impatience.
Ireland
In Celtic myth, there is a story about the horse goddess Rhiannon. She had two suitors, but preferred the knight Powel. Rhiannon tricked her other suitor, Gwawl, into crawling into a bottomless bag. And then she took him to the palace where Powel and his fellow knights were to be at. One such knight struck the bag and asked what was in it. As badgers where known for their persistence and determined stances, she told him a badger was within the bag. Thus as each one arrived they struck the bag as the previous knight had done. Finally Powel arrived, asking what game they were playing. It became known as the first game of Badger in the bag. Powel, however, did not believe them and peered into the bag. Poor Gwawl begged for his release as soon as was able. Finally, Powel agreed as long as he were to give up on Rhiannon. And thus it was agreed and Gwawl was never to bother the lady Rhiannon again.
So there you have it. Badgers have certainly always been known for being particularly stubborn and determined. And that stays true to this day. Truly there is no better animal that could represent the house of Hufflepuff as the badger, and it's no wonder Rowling chose it for the honor.
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