What is the symbolic meaning of hedgehogs?

Answer 1

Hedgehogs have important meaning in the ancient myths and legends of Central Eurasia and Eastern Europe. The hedgehog is most often a symbol of wisdom. For example, in creation myths of Romania, a hedgehog gave advice to God about how to create the world. In the lore of the Buriats (a Mongolic people), the hedgehog taught humans how to make fire. German folklore has a story like the familiar Aesop tale of a race between a tortoise and a hare--only in this case it is a clever hedgehog who outwits the hare.