Intro
In certain cultures the fox is seen as an animal that
exemplifies the characteristics of passion, desire, intensity and expression,
traits that are parallel to creatives such as designers and artists. The fox,
however has been popularized by today’s cultures, foxes can now be seen inked
across people’s bodies, as the focal point of Indie films (such as Fantastic
Mr. Fox), as a large inspiration for design work (as seen on the cover of the
December issue of Design Times) as well as a large symbolic character used in
Anime and children’s literature. Therefore I have chosen to explore the
spiritual, mental, physical and emotional traits associated with the fox in
terms of design, tattoos and film as I believe that I share the attributes of a
fox in many ways and it appeals to me holistically.
Symbolism entails using an image/icon/thing to represent
an emotion or deeper meaning rather than portraying solely the literal meaning
of the subject matter. This symbolic representation is something that is often
seen when regarding the fox in popular culture, for example a person may get a
tattoo of a fox not for their complete adoration of the animal but for what it
means and symbolizes for them personally. With my research I aim to explore the
aspects of symbolism when it comes to the fox phenomena.
Foxes as tattoos: both the spiritual as well as emotional
aspects of the whole person paradigm are showcased when it comes to foxes as
tattoos. Individuals would often get tattoos of
foxes due to a deeper connection to the characteristics of the fox as
well as what it may represent to them, this meaning may be one founded on the
terms of spirituality (for some cultures) or simply out of a deeper emotional connection.
Foxes in anime: throughout Japanese culture the fox
(kitsune) is associated with magical properties and intelligence and can be
seen in the Japanese cartoon style of “anime” in the form of a spirit or a
demon. This creature is prevalent in Japanese folklore and it is also believed
that the more tails a kitsune has the more intelligent it is, the most
intelligent having nine tails.
Foxes in film and children’s literature: the character of
a fox is often used as an allegory throughout films and literature to portray
certain morals, lessons and positive character traits. The animated film, “Robin
Hood”, for example showcases the fox as a lead role as well as the protagonist
of the film, giving it the characteristics of not only the general sly and
cunning associated with the fox but also that of selflessness, bravery,
intelligence and kindness.
