The Dolphins Symbolizes the Characteristics of the Galveston County IAAP Chapter Members
Written by Deborah Sanders, CAP-OM
No mammals have captured our heart and spirit as the dolphin. They fire our imaginations and stab our emotions. They inspire our lives with art, literature and their beauty in nature. The indescribable blend of grace, power and beauty of the dolphin as it slips underwater, leaps toward the sky or simply lifts on its tail as they glide through the gulf, symbolizes the gracefulness, strength and determination of each member in the Galveston County Chapter.
Dolphins appear in a number of Greek myths, invariably as helpers of humankind. Also on Crete in the Aegean Sea approximately 3000 to 1450 BC, in civilization known as the Minoans, judging by artistic evidence from the ruined palace on Crete, the dolphins were very important to this ancient culture. Another fact that makes the Minoans so fascinating and unusual, they worshiped a Goddess, female divinity, rather than a God. In addition, Minoans are known for their best peace records the world has ever seen.
Dolphins are widely believed to be among the most intelligent of all animals. In some cultures, they are treated respectfully and welcomed; a ship spotting dolphins riding in their wake is considered a good omen for a smooth voyage. There have been reports of dolphins protecting swimmers against sharks by swimming circles around the swimmers. The strength in the tail fin or the fluke of the dolphin is the principal means of propulsion through the water. The tail is controlled by powerful sets of muscles used for balance, momentum and power.
However, the dolphin face a variety of threats and struggles throughout their lives every day as we do and with the support of each other in our chapter we will grow and develop adapting to daily change in our environment and activities with poise and grace as the dolphin do in their supporting pod for many years to come.