Starfish

In Christian symbolism the Starfish represents the Virgin Mary. Our Lady, Star of the Sea is an ancient name for the mother of Jesus Christ. The Star of the Sea is a translation of Latin title Stella Maris, which was used to emphasize Mary's significance as a sign hope and guidance for Christians. Sea Star represents the beauty and balance, power and ability to bridge even the most difficult troubles. This marine animal has a harmonious geometric shape, it is able to sustain even the hardest wounds and still live on - most of the species can even regenerate into a whole new organism. Sea Star is also a celestial symbol, representing infinite divine love shining in all directions, providing safe travel over troubled waters and guidance in the times of danger.
 

The sea is the very essence of this creature. It has no heart, no brain, no well-defined sensory inputs like other animals, and it has no blood. Sea Star is so tightly connected with ocean that it even uses sea water instead of blood to pump nutrients throughout the body. Their whole body is actually filled with sea water, and the complex network of interlacing nerves lies within, as well as below, their skin. Sea Stars are sensitive to touch, light, temperature, orientation, and water around them, but only if they are surrounded with precious salty water. The Sea Star is alive only if it feels and breathes the ocean; there are no freshwater sea stars, and just a few species (of 1,800 known living) can tolerate brackish waters.