Dictionary of all Scriptures & Myths

DOG (HIGHEST ASPECT) 

A symbol of the going forth of the Self as will.

"A dog ate the first meat of the sacrifice of a sheep." - The Bundahis, Ch. XV. 14.

“This sacrifice is that of the mind to the lower emotions, and the fire is the symbol of desire. It is a correspondency of the sacrifice of the Logos which takes place, in so far as the ego is concerned, from the mental plane.

The "dog" is a symbol of the Self under the aspect of will, which is the first aspect under which the Self goes forth. The "meat symbolises the beneficial results of experience, knowledge.

"The dog is connected with Siva in his character of a mountaineer, or rather, perhaps, with Rudra, who also presides over horses." - MON. WILLIAMS, Religious Thought in India, p. 328.

A "mountaineer is one who climbs a mountain, a symbol of aspiration,-one who rises from the lower to the higher, as does the Self (Siva) through the will (dog). The Self (Rudra) through the will directs the mental faculties (horses).  

See Also

FIRE
HORSE
LAMB MEAT
SACRIFICE
SHEEP
SIVA