spirit animal

noun2

1. •
   An animal spirit that guides, helps, or protects a person or group of people.

   • For most of these topics you'll have more than one choice of spirit animal, so whenever that's true, intuitively choose which animal spirit resonates with you for that particular condition or quality. — 2006
2. •
   (informal, humorous) A person or thing with which one has a deep connection due to shared beliefs etc.

   • The picture means everything to me, it's my spirit animal. Evel Knievel jumping at Caesar's Palace, signed by the great man. I'd look at the photo every day, trying to channel what it meant to me. — 2021