That’s the one!
Odd little anecdote time:
Every time I’ve faced despair in my life, as sure as there’s a God, a salamander will show up in my path, often in extremely unlikely places.
Salamanders exist as important characters in almost every world religion.
In Christianity, they symbolize the soul who has has undergone the fires of trials and tribulation and emerged, unscathed.
I take them as a “sign” that God is watching over me.
Redbacks are also odd in that you may find one steadily marching across the snow in winter.
I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it myself, but there it was, walking right across the snow-covered pavers by my back door.
[perhaps God was sending that one out especially for me, since I had just lost a beloved dog a few weeks earlier]
Whatever the case may be, finding one yesterday raised my spirits an almost ridiculous amount....:)
If you haven’t a passable reason to love them *yet*, be aware that Muslims both fear and despise them....much as they do dogs.
That alone would make me want to guard the safety of the little critters....LOL!
Your feelings on the salamander and their purpose on earth are both touching and very inspirational to me. It’s truly wonderful that this unique creature has afforded you such a contentment and peace. I simply had no idea that they held such a place in the lore of Christianity and in fact, religion in general.
I don’t think that I have ever seen one of these singular amphibians “up close and personal” in my entire (60 year) life. Prior to this had I met one, I might have had a different impression, but thanks to the generous sharing of your knowledge I know that will no longer be the case.