Wolves have been used as symbols and metaphors for centuries. Communities around the world have used them in starring roles in countless tales, teaching members of their community lessons in how to behave and as warnings. For storytellers and historians, it didn’t always matter if what they were saying was factually correct. Very few portrayed a wolf’s behaviour accurately. Getting people to behave and work within the society they were a part of was more important.
The face of the wolf within folklore has often been two-sided. Some stories lean into their loyal, cunning, and brave nature, whilst others portray them as evil, savage beasts that are often a symbol of greed.
How a wolf has been portrayed depends on the society telling the story. For many nomadic people and hunter-gatherer communities, wolves were revered for their strength, teamwork, and hunting prowess – they recognised the family bond in a wolf pack. Whereas agricultural communities often feared wolves and portrayed them as dangerous threats – a good excuse to hunt them. It’s all about perspective – it’s a bit like how some people are really afraid of spiders and others aren’t. For the majority, this fear is learned from the people around us. This learned perspective is something that activists and conservationists are continually battling. Changing opinions that have been ingrained in society is very hard.
Wolf Heroes – Symbols of Strength and Guidance
The Wolf People of the Plains
Wolves were important to many Native American tribes. The Pawnee, known as the wolf people, identified strongly with the wolf way of life. You can read more about it here.
Norse Mythology – Warriors and Protectors
Before 1000 AD, Scandinavian Vikings invaded Britain, bringing many of their beliefs with them. In Norse mythology, wolves appeared as both friends and foes. They represented the wild nature of the wilderness while also symbolising loyalty and the protection of families. Some Norse wolves were portrayed as fierce warriors, while others were seen as guardians and companions to the gods.
The Wuffings – Britain’s Wolf Dynasty
King Wuffa and his dynasty, the Wuffingas (which means “kin of the wolf”), show us that wolves weren’t always feared in Britain. The Wuffingas ruled East Anglia and proudly identified with wolves, admiring their cunning, unity, and endurance – qualities they believed helped their dynasty survive and thrive.
St Edmund and the Wolf Guard
There’s even a legendary story about a talking wolf! When St Edmund (a later East Anglian king) was executed by Viking invaders, his head was thrown into a forest. According to legend, a wolf guarded Edmund’s head and helped searchers find it by calling out. This tale shows how wolves were once seen as protectors and loyal companions rather than threats.
Wolf Mother – Founders of Rome
One of the oldest myths about wolves comes from the founders of the Roman Empire – Romulus and Remus, who were said to have been raised by a she-wolf. This story travelled throughout the Roman Empire, celebrating the wolf as a protector and nurturer.
The Big Bad Wolf – How Wolves Became Villains
Remember when we talked about how farming changed people’s views of wolves in Britain?
Well, not all the beliefs that travelled to Britain saw wolves in a positive light. Some Norse stories portrayed wolves as greedy and destructive. Christianity also used wolves in stories as symbols of danger and greed. As farming became more important, these negative views grew stronger.
Cautionary Tales You Might Know
You’ve probably heard stories like Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs. Little Red Riding Hood was originally meant to warn children to be careful of strangers and not to wander off the path. But over time, this story made wolves seem like dangerous monsters lurking in forests. The Three Little Pigs made wolves look destructive and greedy, teaching people to work hard and not take shortcuts.
Here’s the Twist
When you look at how real wolves actually behave, these stories got it all wrong! Wolves aren’t greedy destroyers – they’re actually helpers! By hunting herbivores like deer, they stop forests from being eaten away and help rivers flow properly. They’re nature’s gardeners, not villains!
It’s a bit like if someone wrote a story saying hedgehogs were scary monsters, when really they’re helpful creatures that eat garden pests. The stories don’t match reality at all!