The song from Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me when Leland Palmer visits Teresa Banks. A song that repeats the same line, making it of some importance to the Twin Peaks Universe. It also led me to research the various symbolisms of the black dog.
Is the black dog of a good or bad nature in Twin Peaks?
Like the Great Horned Owl and the White Horse, the black dog has been viewed differently in many cultures around the world. They've been viewed supernaturally as guardian spirits and as omens of doom. Myths and legends paint them with a dark and mysterious nature.
'The black dog is a supernatural, spectral, or demonic hellhound originating from English folklore that has also been seen throughout Europe and the Americas. It is usually unnaturally large with glowing red or yellow eyes, is often connected with the Devil (as an English incarnation of the Hellhound), and is sometimes an omen of death. It is sometimes associated with electrical storms (such as Black Shuck's appearance at Bungay, Suffolk), and also with crossroads, barrows (as a type of fairy hound), places of execution, and ancient pathways.
Black dogs are generally regarded as sinister or malevolent, and a few (such as the Barghest and Shuck) are said to be directly harmful. Some black dogs, however, such as the Gurt Dog in Somerset, are said to behave benevolently as guardian black dogs, guiding travelers at night onto the right path or protecting them from danger. The black dog is a recognized folkloric motif.
The origins of the black dog are difficult to discern. It is uncertain whether the creature originated in the Celtic or Germanic elements of British culture. Throughout European mythology, dogs have been associated with death. Examples of this are the Cŵn Annwn (Welsh), Garmr (Norse), and Cerberus (Greek), all of whom were in some way guardians of the Underworld. This association seems to be due to the scavenging habits of dogs. It is possible that the black dog is a survivor of these beliefs.' (according to Wikipedia)
The Black Dog As A Figure of Myths & Folklore
From ancient folklore to the tales of the present, the black dog has either been a symbol of misfortune or protection. In different societies, it is themed as death, darkness, and the supernatural.
Celtic mythology views it as the harbinger of doom, an omen of death, and the guardian of the underworld and other sacred sites. This is no surprise since the Cerberus in Greek mythology is the big black three-headed dog that guards the passage to the Underworld along River Styx.
Norse folklore labels the black dog as the harbinger of doom and associates it with the god Odin, the Allfather and King of the Norse gods. This dog is called Garmr, who guards the gates of Hel.
English folklore has it as the symbol of death, disaster, and misfortune. There is the myth of the Black Shuck, that is said to roam the countryside and curses whoever approaches with misfortune.
In Welsh folklore, their version of the Black Shuck is called the Gwyllgi, or the "Dog of Darkness". This black dog prowls the night and is thought of as a malevolent spirit. It is also believed that this dog warns people of the dangers ahead and guides lost souls.
Scottish folklore has the cù-sìth, which is a large black dog that guards the Otherworld and protects the fairies in and out of this other realm. It roams the Scottish Highlands.
The Black Dog As A Spiritual Animal
In Native American beliefs, the black dog is a sacred creature. It is the symbol of wisdom, protection, and spiritual guidance. Some American Indians have black dogs as pets to guarantee their safety. Even considering them, along with other dogs, as brothers and sisters to their souls. In some tribes though, dogs sadly represent filth and promiscuity.
Hinduism views the black dog as the association of Kali, the goddess known for her fierce and powerful nature.
Unfortunately for us, there is no meaning of the black dog in Buddhism, which is Agent Cooper's belief system.
The Black Dog In Art & Popular Culture
The black dog is another symbol of darkness whenever expressed in literature. In literature, it comes across as a more psychological darkness than a physical bad omen. It stands for depression, melancholy, and foreboding. Sir Winston Churchill made the "black dog" term famous, by using it to describe his struggles of depression in his life. This gave the term its emotional expressiveness in literature as a whole and has been used as that dark and depressive symbol ever since.
Art and popular culture as a whole present the black dog with mystery and enigma. It is portrayed as either fierce and intimidating to gentle and wise and is a creature widely used for its very mystery, myths, legends, and folklore.
The Black Dog's New Rising
Nowadays, the black dog has gained new meanings and interpretations with the times. It is now less feared and more respected than the ancient times. Most superstitions that have been cherished for millennia are now fading to neural dust, paving the way for a more open understanding of this dark and mysterious creature.
The black dog today mostly represents that of the mind and the self. It is now the symbol of mental awareness. As in literature, people who suffer from depression, anxiety, and the like, use the black dog as a metaphor to describe their mental state. From this, the black dog became the symbol of hope and resilience and encouraged individuals to have open discussions about their mental health.
The black dog is also depicted as our shadow self and as our unconscious desires. This serves as a reminder to confront and embrace the dark aspects of ourselves so we can all achieve personal growth and become capable of transforming into better persons.
So What Does The Black Dog Mean In Twin Peaks?
A question that is a good one. We notice that Bobby Briggs and Mike Nelson bark like dogs at James Hurley as they're in the cell for interrogation. We also see Bobby Briggs again barking like a dog, but this time with his flame Shelly Johnson. This, along with the black dog seen in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, raises some suspicions as to its specific meaning in the Twin Peaks Universe.
Could the black dog be a warning sign that something bad is going to happen?
Or perhaps the black dog has some connection to BOB for its dark reputation as an omen?
What are your thoughts on this Black Dog Mystery? Feel free to share them in the comment section of this article.
As always, thank you for reading this article. If you're interested in more myths and folklore concerning the black dog, here's the link to Wikipedia.
Thank you for reading this article. Feel free to share your thoughts, theories, and debates in the comment section below. If interested, there is Twin Peaks... From Another Place group on Facebook, Reddit, and Discord to join. Also, feel free to check out my Twin Peaks: Chasing A Blue Rose fanfic series prequel, Twin Peaks: The Birdwatcher, published here and on Archives Of Our Own. Thanks again!!
Thanks again. See you in the trees.
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