I was trying to come up with some sort of fertility to turkey to Thanksgiving connection to post tonight and couldn't really make the jump into a true link. But I did learn some interesting facts about turkeys and the symbolism that they hold in certain cultures.

From sherrifox:

Turkey - food source, resourcefulness. Its feathers have many spiritual & ritual uses. The spirit of turkey is free, and opens up the channels between us and others on a meaningful level. The turkey sacrifices itself so that others may live, showing us courage and faith in our present life and the next

From www.linsdomain.com

Shared Blessings ~ The Turkey

The Turkey is the symbol of sacrifice.
It give life so others may live.

Many saints and mystics have Turkey as a totem.
With a Turkey totem, you have transcended self.
You act and react on behalf of others.
This act is not a sense of moralism or guilt,
but a deep knowledge that all life is sacred.
What you do for others, you also do for yourself.


To have a Turkey totem is a true gift.
Its gift may be spiritual, material or intellectual.
Through giving to others will you reach your own goals.

The Turkey is linked to the third eye,
the seat of feminine energies within us, and the center for higher vision.

Turkey is also the symbol of the Mother Earth and her abundant harvest.
All of Earth's blessings and the ability to use them to their greatest advantage
are part of Turkey's teachings.

Both of the above web sites mentioned that these symbols may vary from tribe to tribe, yet these are generally accepted definitions. With the exception of the place that the turkey holds on the Thanksgiving menu, it turns out to be an honored animal. Who knew?