With interests in science and nature, I explores topics from a unique and sometimes controversial perspective.

Is Bigfoot a Protector of the Natural World?

We all know Bigfoot. He’s the big, hairy guy alleged to inhabit the forests of North America. Nobody has really gotten a decent photo of him, but eyewitnesses claim that he appears to be a flesh-and-blood creature. Bigfoot is said to leave behind physical evidence in the form of footprints, hair samples, scat, and even leave a particular smell.

While it can’t be proven as of yet, many researchers believe Bigfoot is a species of primitive human that has lived alongside modern humans for millennia. He is highly intelligent and has learned to give us a wide berth. Who could blame him?

Another theory says Bigfoot is an undocumented species of ape, possibly descended from the massive Asian ape Gigantopithecus. This makes a lot of sense, and witnesses have noted many ape-like characteristics in the big guy, from his appearance to calls, alleged nesting behaviors, and even the use of sticks and stones as weapons.

Considering the evidence, and listening to the theories, it all comes together in a very compelling way. There seems to be a strong suggestion that there is an unknown creature out there in the woods, something human but not really. There is just one glaring problem with all of this conjecture:

Where the heck is Bigfoot?

Why Hasn’t Bigfoot Been Caught?

While there are many logical explanations for why cryptids like Bigfoot are not yet known to mainstream science, it does have to leave you scratching your head.

There have been Bigfoot sightings in every state of the continental United States, including many areas where hunters and hikers are abundant. While it is certainly true that there are areas of our continent rarely trod by human feet, remember that some of these sightings are coming from places where there are people almost all the time.

Bigfoot researchers are better equipped than ever, and now have over 50 years of evidence and experience to draw from regarding the North American Bigfoot phenomenon.

With so many people out there in the forest wandering around, hunting, hiking, camping, researching, some looking for Bigfoot, and some looking for butterflies, doesn’t it defy logic that a large mammal would flat-out escape official recognition for so long?

Not only that, but there isn’t even a decent picture or video that shows, without debate, that Bigfoot exists. Given the powerful technology most of us carry around in our pockets every day, how in the world could that be?

This brings us to the point of this article, and something I’ve been thinking about for a while now. What if Bigfoot isn’t an animal at all? What if Bigfoot is a forest spirit of some kind?

Sasquatch and Spirit Legends

If Sasquatch is some type of ghost or spirit entity it sure would explain a lot. We wouldn’t expect to find a living specimen, or a body, bones, or even a fossil record. Ghostly calls in the night would be par for the course we would think, and even footprints left behind and tossed rocks and sticks aren’t outside of the norm for the standard supernatural apparition.

More than anything, it would explain why sightings are so fleeting, and why, even with the woods crawling with people (some of them looking for him), Bigfoot has never been properly documented.

It’s because he isn’t really there. At least not in the way we’re used to thinking.

Native American legends are often cited as proof that Sasquatch exists in North America. After all, if people have been seeing him for thousands of years, he must really be out there. But many indigenous Bigfoot legends mix the spiritual world with the biological world, and accounts of Bigfoot with shape-shifting abilities, or the powers of invisibility, are not uncommon.

Across the ocean in the Himalayas, land of the Yeti, local peoples again have a history of blending spiritual folklore with the natural. In Australia, the Yowie is a creature with many Bigfoot-like attributes who is believed by some native people to have supernatural powers.

Around the world, there are accounts of similarly large, hairy, bipedal humanoids. Depending on the source of the stories they may be benevolent, or they may be violent, but in many cases, they are believed to be something more than a standard forest critter.

People have believed this for thousands of years, so why today do we focus on the idea that we can “catch” a Sasquatch the same way we’d catch a lion or tiger or bear?

An even better question is: How are people around the world reporting the same type of creature?

Elemental Spirits

One possible explanation involves elemental spirit entities. Elementals are nature spirits and can be classified as earth, water, fire, and air. Sasquatch would be an earth spirit.

The exact definition of elemental spirits depends on who you ask, but they can be found in various forms in the belief systems of people from the ancient Greeks, to Native Americans, to modern Wiccans. Some believe elemental spirits are responsible for the legends of fairies, gnomes, elves, and even lake creatures. Many believe elementals are the most ancient and primitive of spirits, here from the dawn of time and intertwined with the natural world.

Some belief systems say elementals are here as guardians, and that fits not only with many Native American Bigfoot legends but also with modern stories. Tales of Bigfoot attacks on campsites or hunters, throwing rocks and sticks to chase people out of the woods, are common.

Perhaps Bigfoot is an elemental spirit, or perhaps he is the elemental spirit charged with protecting the forests of the world. That would explain the similarities in sightings, as well as why some people have harmless encounters with Sasquatch, and others not so much.

Looking at it in this way, Bigfoot is a kind of deity, deserving of respect, and commanding it when he doesn’t get it. Bigfoot is not an animal, but the protector of the forests and all the animals that dwell within.

Is Sasquatch a Spiritual Being?

Bigfoot in non-corporeal form is an interesting idea, but it does present some issues. For one thing, some of the evidence collected to date really does suggest there is an animal out there, not some apparition. Hair and scat samples are particularly hard to explain away, as we can assume a ghostly Sasquatch would have no reason to part with either.

There are also some very intelligent cryptozoologists and primatologists who have done a great deal of work with the premise that there is a rare species of North American Ape out there somewhere. It’s tough to imagine, with the hours of work they’ve put in, that they would be so far off base.

Still, as the years roll by and there is still no definitive evidence of a rare animal in the woods of North America, eventually we have to start looking for other answers. How would it change things?

For one thing, if Bigfoot is a spirit there is really no reason to go out searching for him. If you do, bring your ghost hunting gear, as documenting Bigfoot would be more similar to investigating a haunting. In fact, it could be said that woods, where Sasquatch has been spotted, are haunted.

In the end, remember that this is just one theory among many that attempts to explain the Bigfoot phenomenon. Heck, there are those out there that say Bigfoot is some type of alien, brought to our planet by UFOs.

That, however, is a thought for another day.

Is Bigfoot an Elemental Spirit?

Valerie Case on May 04, 2020:

I truly believe Bigfoot is an elemental. As we have never found true evidence of a Sasquatch, I believe people have seen the spirit. It has never hurt anyone, it has chased off people ,I think to protect the area of forest. It is strange, but I feel somewhat of an emotional attachment with them. Sounds crazy I know, but I have no fear of the existence of them. I live in the forest and I know there are many protectors.

dave schulz on January 19, 2020:

Hello Luther, Yes I believe the sasquatch is a spirit creature with a body and when they are grown up they have a large body and of course they are not an ape being. I seen a photo of a river and on the other side of the river a sasquatch coming through what appear to be a dimensinal doorway. I got a copy of the book and that photo wasn't in the book. People say many things which may be true; but, when you have seen one and felt it watching you. They are a real being. dave

neal roylance on January 19, 2020:

Luther Urswick, I am a big game hunter in upstate New York. I also am a student of intuitive living due to a long series of paranormal activities I have been witness to. After my last hunting trip and an extraordinary spiritual experience which occurred there including physical contact. I consulted a Shaman on this event. The Spirit of the land was the explanation. Bigfoot was mentioned as this spirit. I've been researching the connection when I came across your article. You nailed it! Would love to send screenshots of my journal entries on this event to validate your article further.

Queen Calloway on November 22, 2018:

big foot is a fallen angel, demon, ghost space creature. They appear as these named, even your dead grandmother. Angels cast out of heaven along hypo

Along with Satan the devil by God himself. They deceive men contrary to the word of God. Read about them in Revelation 18: 2 and Revelation 12: 7-9. People are seeing them, quick as you see them the can disappear.

Michael W Moore from Parkersburg on March 24, 2018:

Dimensional travel has been mentioned in books. Bigfoot being seen disappearing could seem like it could be a spirit. Seeing a Sasquatch only half visible can make you wonder if it could be either that or perhaps dimensional travel maybe? Dimensional Portals sure would be handy if danger was imminent, and handy too if one would want to stay hidden.

I first read about the subject of portals that Bigfoot might be traversing in a book by Thom Powell.. Edge of Science. It's such an intriguing thought introduced by witness testimony...

Paul on January 09, 2017:

I've read and watched many things concerning Bigfoot. I go back and forth between some type of human ape type mammal and some type of spiritual being. I'm fascinated by it even though I've never seen one

Dilip Chandra from India on November 12, 2014:

Going through any info about these things which are not so well known is interesting. Good share my friend.

Luther Urswick (author) from USA on November 02, 2014:

Glad to hear the novel went well!

sheilamyers on November 01, 2014:

cryptid: I watch all those shows on TV about Bigfoot and other creatures, so I'm always thinking about any new information I get. BTW - Remember me telling you about my idea for my novel? I did incorporate some of the Bigfoot stories and legends into the plot. I think it worked well. Hopefully, the little I wrote will get more people interested in the topic and they'll visit pages like yours.

Luther Urswick (author) from USA on November 01, 2014:

Thank you shelia! So many questions and available answer re:Bigfoot. I'm glad someone else is thinking about these things besides me! :-)

sheilamyers on October 31, 2014:

I think this is the most interesting of your Bigfoot-related hubs. I've enjoyed all of them, but I also enjoy hearing the other theories. I've read many of the Native American stories that explain the creature and, in part of my mind, I can see them as protectors of the areas in which they live. Yet I still think they're some type of animal with a physical body and are very good at staying hidden when they don't want to be seen.