Animal Keyrings and Their Meanings: Which One Should You Choose?

Most people have an animal. The one on their mug, their socks and their phone case, the one friends send them pictures of. An animal keyring is a gift that says “I know which one is yours”.

Here is what each animal stands for, who it suits and what to engrave on the tag.

The Giraffe – Stand Tall

The giraffe is the tallest animal on earth, and that is where its meaning comes from. It sees further than anyone else, so it stands for perspective and looking ahead. It is also a gentle giant: strong, calm and never in a hurry. The pattern on every giraffe is different, like a fingerprint, and its long neck has exactly seven bones, the same number as yours.

“Stand tall” is the message people give with it. That makes a giraffe keychain a lovely gift for someone starting a new job or a new school, for a tall friend who has heard every joke, for a child who loves the zoo, or for anyone about to go on safari. World Giraffe Day is 21 June, the longest day of the year for the animal with the longest neck.

See the giraffe keyring.

The Monkey – Fun and Mischief

The monkey is clever, curious and never serious for long. In the Chinese zodiac it stands for wit and quick thinking. In India the monkey god Hanuman is loved for his strength and loyalty. And in Japan, a carving at the Nikkō shrine gave the world the three wise monkeys: see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

In Britain “cheeky monkey” is what you call a child, or a grown-up, who makes you laugh when they should not. That is exactly who this keyring is for: the joker in the office, a mischievous son or daughter, a best friend who needs a smile. “Cheeky Monkey” fits on the tag, and so does their name.

Our 3D monkey keyring is the best-loved design we make, with arms and legs that move. There is also a quirky 3D monkey with a different look.

The Horse – Freedom and Strength

For thousands of years the horse has stood for freedom, strength and loyalty. People carved a giant white horse into an English hillside at Uffington around 3,000 years ago, and it is still there. A horseshoe over the door is one of the oldest good luck charms in Britain. In the Chinese zodiac the horse stands for energy and independence.

Anyone who rides will tell you it is more than a hobby. A horse keychain is for riders, for a girl with her first pony, for the person who spends every weekend at the stables in wellies. It is also a gentle way to remember a horse that is no longer here. Engrave the horse’s name on the tag.

See the horse keyring.

The Teddy Bear – Love and Comfort

The teddy bear got its name in 1902, when the American president Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear on a hunting trip. A toy maker named a soft bear after him, and it has meant comfort ever since. Most of us still remember the name of our first one.

A teddy says “I am here for you”, which makes it one of the most romantic key rings we make. It is a sweet gift for a girlfriend or a wife, for a much-loved hubby, for Valentine’s Day or an anniversary, and for anyone you miss when you are apart. It also suits a new mum or a child leaving home. Engrave “Love you”, your names or the date you met.

Choose the vintage teddy bear keyring, the 3D teddy bear with moving arms and legs, or the amber teddy bear with genuine Baltic amber.

The Bunny – New Beginnings

Rabbits stand for spring, new life and good luck. The Easter Bunny comes from an old German tradition of a hare that brings eggs to children. In Britain many people still say “white rabbits” on the first morning of the month for luck. And in China, Japan and Korea, people look at the full moon and see a rabbit instead of a man.

A bunny keychain is a favourite at Easter, and a gentle gift for a new baby, a new home or a fresh start. It is also the obvious choice for anyone who keeps rabbits. Engrave a child’s name and birth date, or the name of their own bunny.

See the 3D bunny keyring.

Lucky Animals: Elephant, Turtle and Pig

Three animals are known around the world as bringers of luck.

• Elephant – good fortune, wealth and strength. In India it is linked with Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. A gift for a new job or a big challenge. See the 3D elephant keyring.
• Turtle – long life and a steady journey. In Japan they say the turtle lives ten thousand years. A gift for someone moving house or moving abroad. See the 3D turtle keyring.
• Pig – prosperity and plenty. In Germany a lucky person is said to have “had a pig”. A gift for someone starting a business. See the 3D lucky pig keyring.

We tell their full stories in our guide to good luck symbols and what they mean.

For Someone a Little Different

Not everyone wants something cute.

• Lizard – a lizard can drop its tail and grow a new one, so it stands for renewal and starting again. In many warm countries a gecko in the house is a sign of good luck. A gift for reptile keepers, travellers and anyone beginning a new chapter. See the lizard keyring.
• Fish – in China the word for fish sounds like the word for “plenty”, so a whole fish is served at New Year to wish for a good year ahead. In Japan the koi, which swims upstream, stands for never giving up. See the golden fish keyring for anglers, with “Gone Fishing” on the tag, or the fish bone keyring for sea lovers.
• Scorpion – the sign of Scorpio, born between 23 October and 21 November, known as determined, loyal and passionate. In ancient Egypt the scorpion goddess Serket was a protector. A birthday gift with real character. See the scorpion keyring.

Zodiac Animals

In the Eastern zodiac every year belongs to an animal, and people born in that year are said to share its character. Our zodiac animal keyring comes in ten of them: Dragon, Tiger, Snake, Monkey, Dog, Pig, Cow, Sheep, Mouse and Cat.

Choose the animal of their birth year, or simply the one that suits them: the dragon for luck and power, the tiger for courage, the dog for loyalty, the snake for wisdom.

Which Animal for Whom?

• For a girlfriend, wife or husband – teddy bear.
• For a child – giraffe, monkey, bunny or teddy bear.
• For him – horse, lizard, fish or scorpion.
• For her – giraffe, teddy bear, elephant or turtle.
• For a new start – giraffe to stand tall, elephant for luck.
• For someone who makes you laugh – monkey.
• Prefer birds? Read Which Bird Keyring Should You Choose?

What to Engrave

Most of our animal keyrings can be engraved on the metal tag: up to 16 characters per line and 2 lines per side. Some ideas:

• Their name
• The name of a pet they love, or one they miss
• “Stand tall”
• “Cheeky Monkey”
• A date: a birthday, a first day, the day you met
• “Love you” and your name on the back

Every AuPra keychain is handmade, comes in a gift pouch and is sent with free UK delivery. Browse all animal keyrings, or see gifts for pet lovers.