Salamanders have long held a significant place in the folklore and mythology of many different cultures around the world. They are said to embody the elemental spirit of fire; that is, they are fire spirits that exist within nature.

Unlike the other elements, however, the fire spirit is different in that it needs to be ignited. We humans did not always possess knowledge of fire; and nor did we know how to use it constructively.

The widespread belief in the existence of nature spirits is common to all cultures, especially when a culture was in its early stages of development and entirely reliant on Nature. Nature spirits were believed to dwell in and be attached to a specific place. This could be a tree, a river, a mountain, a volcano and so on.

The mythical salamander is different to the ‘real’ salamander. The popular myths associated with the fire spirit that is salamander have their origins in Europe. While the salamander may hibernate in hollow and decaying logs during the winter months, it was known to creep or perhaps leap out when its temporary abode was tossed into a fireplace.

Salamanders were often used as symbols in heraldry. They represented the mastery of passion. The mythical salamander was envisaged as a small dragon that lives when a fire or even a small flame is ignited. Throughout the passage of time, it was believed that the salamander could withstand fire. If burned, the salamander would emerge unscathed. As an elemental spirit of fire, the salamander was purported to possess special powers.

The appearance of a salamander represents our ability to survive, especially when emerging from a trial by fire. It finally comes to light when one has been through an array of misfortunes in one’s life. But the salamander promises that you have made it beyond adversity and are ready to reemerge from the flames that did not consume you.