Stag symbolism

[Carol]

zanooda wrote:
> I don't know, Geoff, I read a little about deer today, and my
understanding was that with large deer (like red deer) it's "stag" for
 males, "hind" for females, and "calf" for the young, but with smaller
deer (like fallow deer) it's "buck" for males, "doe" for females, and
"fawn" for the young. Mind you, I still don't know much about deer or
animals in general :-).

Carol responds:

Sounds as if JKR is as confused as the rest of us, since she uses
"stag" and "doe." With respect to Harry's Patronus, JKR may have
consulted mythology and folklore or simply associated certain traits
with a stag that may or may not fit James as he's depicted in the
books (the film James is "a swine")--or possibly, Harry's idealized
view of him. I found this description of stag (and doe) symbolism on a
website on Celtic symbols:

"The stag of ancient times was considered a beast of royal lineage, an
incarnation of woodland gods, and associated with fertility. White
stags were especially revered and as they were thought to originate
from the Otherworld and thus had immense power. The white stag (or
doe) was said to represent the ancestors of the Celtic people and was
thought to usher in profound change. Following a white stag was said
to lead the person into contact with supernatural beings. Deer formed
the main food source for the Celtic people and the act of hunting was
symbolic of the pursuit of wisdom. The deer is associated with
mildness, caring, love, sensitivity, alertness and grace. Because of
their fine-tuned senses the deer is said to be able to guide a person
through confusing and difficult situations by allowing them to see
through any illusions. The Celts drew heavily on nature to understand
their own doubts and fears. The stag is the perfect symbol of the
metamorphosis and growth of the soul allowing development of all
levels of consciousness. <snip>"

The attributes associated with stags (or deer in general), according
to this website, are "spiritual growth / high ideals / independence /
gentleness / dignity / endurance / love"

http://www.thirdcoastrs.com/celtic_symbol_custom_stamps.htm

While most of us would not associate James with "mildness, caring,
love, [and] sensitivity" (unless we count love for his wife and son),
the part about metamorphosis is certainly apt. And those of us who
have read the books may have some thoughts about a certain doe
Patronus as well (Steve V. says that he doesn't mind spoilers, but I'm
afraid I'm giving away a lot here!).

Carol, now thinking of the irony of a stag running with a werewolf
when both wolves and men (werewolf = man wolf) hunt deer as prey