The White Horse

The mysterious white horse we see in Twin Peaks has been questioned whether to be good or evil. I researched the white horse (and horses in general) and what it means to Native American culture, Buddhism, and ancient mythology.

First off, I began my research on the Native American symbolism of the white horse. To most Native American tribes, the white horse is the symbol of good fortune in terms of success, prosperity, purity, heroism, spiritual enlightenment, and, most importantly, good over evil. It is depicted as a spiritual animal that provides strength, power, and endurance for those to achieve their spiritual goals. It is also hailed as the ambassador that has the power to communicate with spirits (and possibly entities) and to pass along messages from another realm (the Black Lodge, I'm sure, is included as one of those realms). 

In general, all horses of the Native Americans are deemed sacred. They are the primary symbol of wealth and strength. A spiritual being to be respected and cherished. They are also associated with the moon and it has been stated that they also represent the wild and untamed spirit of the night. However, this shouldn't make the horse a suspicious being, for they do not have an evil purpose and are highly regarded by Native Americans. Whether or not the white horse has a similar representation of the wild and untamed spirit, I do not know, but from what we saw of Twin Peaks, it seemed tame and harmless. 

In terms of Cooper's religion, Buddhism, the horse is the symbol of strength, loyalty, energy, and effort - the four qualities needed to embark on the spiritual journey. Wild horses also have their own symbolism. They signify the speed and swiftness that is required to achieve the freeing of the mind from worldly troubles and materialistic pleasures.

In Christian beliefs, the white horse was to be owned by one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and was to carry Death. But two Christian saints are also associated with white horses: Saint James for his martial aspect, and Saint George, who is the patron saint of the horsemen. During the First Crusades, the vision of the countless armies riding white horses under the leadership of St. George, Mercurius, and Demetrius, led the Christians to believe the aid of Christ had come their way during the battle at Antioch.  From this, the white horse in the Christian faith can have multiple symbolism, including Jesus Christ and Death themselves.

Ancient mythology also highly regards the white horse. They are depicted with the sun chariot (the ride of the Greek god Apollo), warrior heroes, fertility (stallions and mares both resemble fertility), and the death of a savior. They also warnings against danger. To name a few famous white horses in mythology, there is Pegasus (the flying horse who helped both Perseus and Bellophron with their tasks), the famous unicorn that only comes in white, and Kanthaka (the royal and favorite horse of the Buddha himself when he was Prince Siddhartha). 

From this research, the White Horse of Twin Peaks could be nothing more than harmless and good-natured and also a warning sign of upcoming danger.

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 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.