From ancient times to the present, animals often possess symbolic meaning in stories, architecture, and visual art. From the strength of the lion in tapestries and coats of arms to the worship of sacred animals as deities or sacrifices, the snake’s embodiment of evil in The Bible, humans have strong emotional connections to animals and what they represent. What do animals represent to us? What are the ways we see ourselves and our values, desires, and identities? How have human desires changed over time? I researched five animals’ symbolic meanings and stories and created a book cataloging animals' symbolism from past to present. “The marks of wishes” investigates animal avatars that introduce the human wishes of power, wealth, and love.