Owls are a fascinating bird species. Owl fossils prove that these stealthy birds have existed for 55 million years. You can find them in global cultures, from Egyptian hieroglyphics to Mayan paintings.
Owls symbolize wisdom, intuition, and self-realization. Some cultures associate them with darker meanings, such as mystery, death, and desolation.
As you’ll see, owls are also powerful spirit animals that have many implications when they visit you in your dreams. Keep reading to discover the popular and hidden meanings of the owl.
Owl Meaning: General Symbolism
Generally, owls are good omens, and many cultures believe they have positive attributes. Owls mainly represent intelligence and wisdom. Also, they represent vigilance and mystery.
In many cultures, people see owls as expert communicators. They may carry messages from other realms and transfer wisdom from the deceased. Owls also symbolize strategy and stealth.
Due to their nocturnal nature, owls represent your shadow side or the underworld. They represent secrecy and death. Stoicism and dignity are other symbolic meanings of the owl.
Owls also symbolize vision and the future, similar to hawk symbolism. Interestingly, owls cannot see up close, but they can see prey far in the distance. Moreover, they have excellent hearing, so even if they can’t see their prey, they can pinpoint its location through hearing.
Some cultures or tales associate owls with magic. For example, in the Harry Potter series, owls are companions of witches and wizards. Their mysterious and shady aura paints an eerie fairytale character.
Owls are guardians of the night and protectors of the moon. They’re birds of intuition, keeping secrets safe and forging paths in unfamiliar territory. They represent pure hearts as well as ominous messages.
Owl Meaning as a Spirit Animal
People with an owl spirit animal are often serene, introverted, and dignified. The owl spirit animal represents wisdom, curiosity, and mystery. This spirit animal inspires anyone trying to connect more deeply with themselves.
As a spirit animal, the owl is steadfast and vigilant. Owls never let you down, and they don’t miss a thing. They’re reliable and shift perspectives as needed.
Owl Meaning as a Power Animal
As a power animal, owls remind you to be patient. They help you remain calm in chaotic situations. Also, they encourage you to look at the big picture to stay motivated.
These power animals are strategic and fierce. You should not feel any fear when you have an owl as your power animal. These night creatures are standing guard at all hours to protect you.
Owl Meaning as a Totem
Investing in an owl totem allows you to carry the owl’s wisdom, craftiness, and foresight. It’s a reminder to keep your eyes open to new opportunities. The owl totem is a positive symbol of honor and respect.
Also, owl totems represent communication and spiritual progress. If you have one, you’re a deeply spiritual individual interested in receiving or sending messages through the spirit realm. As you work on your spiritual gifts, tune into your unique talents.
Owl Meaning in Ancient Greece
The owl’s modern association with wisdom goes back to Ancient Greece. The owl symbolized the city of Athens and the goddess Athena. Athena was the goddess of wisdom.
Scholars are still determining the roots of the connection between the goddess of wisdom and owls. They believe it may be due to the owl’s ability to see in the dark. Further, the region was full of small owls, commonly used in imagery.
The first time Athena saw the owl in Greek mythology, she adored it for its beautiful, large eyes. Owls were viewed as protectors of the ancient Greek soldiers who marched to battle. According to legend, if an owl flew with the Greek army, they would be victorious.
Athenians thought Athena morphed into an owl and visited them in Athens. Athenian coins featured the owl on one side, which was there to protect their trade. There’s no question that this bird influenced the lives and culture of the ancient Greek people.
Owl Meaning in Ancient Rome
In Roman mythology, the owl represented the goddess of wisdom, Minerva. In Ancient Roman folklore, owls had a dark connotation. If they hooted on your roof, your death was coming soon.
“The owl of Minerva spreads its wings only with the coming of the dusk.”
Hegel, German philosopher
In Ancient Rome, people believed owl feathers had magical properties. For instance, placing an owl feather on someone’s pillow as they slept would cause them to reveal their secrets. If you nailed a dead owl to your front door, it would keep evil away from your household.
Allegedly, Julius Ceasar’s death was predicted by an owl’s hoot. The Roman Army was defeated in one battle near the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, but not before an owl foretold them of their defeat. A 2nd-century soothsayer in Greece, Artimedorus, claimed that if a traveler dreamt of owls, he would be robbed.
Christian Owl Meaning in the Bible
In Christian scripture, owls represent loneliness, grief, and uncleanliness. God considers them unclean creatures, so no one can sacrifice them for God’s glory. It was also forbidden to eat owls.
These, moreover, you shall detest among the birds; they are abhorrent, not to be eaten: the eagle and the vulture and the buzzard.
Leviticus 11:13
In the Old Testament books of Isaiah and Zephaniah, owls create imagery of desolation and emptiness. Owls represent the cruel desert and barren lands. They represented chaos and curses.
But pelican and hedgehog will possess it,
Isaiah 34:11
And owl and raven will dwell in it;
And He will stretch over it the line of desolation
And the plumb line of emptiness.
I resemble a pelican of the wilderness; I have become like an owl of the waste places.
Psalm 102:6
Owl Meaning in African Culture
In Kenya, some communities believe owls foretell death. They represent death and bad fortune, and hearing their hoot is believed to be an omen of death. If you see an owl, it means someone will die.
One bird-lover in Zimbabwe, Gary Stufford, has worked to counteract the negative myths about owls. In his bird rehabilitation center, he houses many owl species. He educates the community about the benefits that owls bring to society.
Stufford understands that owls are viewed negatively in his region of the world. He said that when people visit his bird sanctuary and learn how owls help humans by removing rodents and pests, they’re surprised. This shows how negatively these poor creatures are viewed in Zimbabwe and its surrounding regions.
The owl is associated with wizards or sorcery in southern and central Africa. The Swahili people in east Africa believe owls cause children to fall ill. In western Africa, owls are omens of death, and they’re associated with sorcery.
In Cameroon, the owl is so evil that instead of naming it out loud, people call it “the bird that makes you afraid.” Prisoners in Ethiopia who are sentenced to death are put on a table with an owl symbol and forced to take their own life. In Madagascar, owls are said to dance on the graves of those who have died.
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Owl Meaning in Celtic Tradition
In Ancient Celtic spirituality, owls represented wisdom above all else. They represent magic and mystery. Celts believed they were connected to the moon, giving them feminine and fertile energy.
The Gaelic word for owl is “cauileach-oidhche,” which translates to “old white woman of the night.” That’s because the owl was connected to the Celtic goddess Cailleach. The owl was a guide through the Underworld and a creature of the darkness.
In Celtic lore, owls could help reveal secrets to you. They could tell you who was trying to take advantage of or trick you. They shared secrets and wisdom with people.
Ireland has native owl species, although the population is currently dwindling. Ancient Celts viewed owls as mysterious, always shrouded in the darkness of night. Owl screeches and hoots contributed to the nightmarish tales of the banshee, who foretold someone’s death.
In Celtic literature and art, owls are almost always portrayed as females. A Welsh story describes an eagle who took a 700-year-old owl as a wife. One Scottish myth tells of an old farmer who used the powers of a single white owl feather.
Native American Owl Meaning
In Native American culture, many tribes believe owls are the spirits of those who’ve passed away. They believe owls mediate between the spirit realm and the physical realm. They view owls as wise mentors who hold the wisdom of all their ancestors.
Owls symbolize death in many Native American cultures. In the Apache and Seminole tribes, parents used hooting owls as a threat to warn children against staying awake too late at night. According to legend, the circles around owl eyes are made of the fingernails of the dead.
Mesoamerican natives also considered the owl a symbol of death and destruction. The Aztec god of death was always portrayed with owls. The Mayans believed owls carried messages from the “Place of Fright.”
In present-day Washington State, the Yakama tribes used owls as symbols of guidance and wise management of nature. Pawnee tribes thought owls protected them from danger. On the other hand, the Hopi tribe deemed owls taboo.
Owl Meaning in Your Dreams
Interpreting owl dreams is not for the faint of heart. It can be frightening to see or hear an owl in your dream; it could be a warning or a sign of good fortune. When interpreting your owl dream, it’s vital to consider the full scope of the dream and connect it with your current life situation.
The behavior and appearance of the owl change the dream’s meaning. You may sense the owl’s meaning without having to reference any guide. However, referencing the owl dream meanings below can help you with the dream interpretation process.
Owl Attacking You
If an owl attacks or hunts you in a dream, it means you’re hiding from something or being secretive in real life. You may also fear things outside your control. You’re worried someone will find out the secrets you’ve been hiding.
If you have this dream, ask yourself if you’re living openly and honestly. Are you pushing down regrets, shame, or secrets from yourself or your loved ones? This dream could tell you it’s time to open up, let go, and release your secrets.
An owl hunting can also mean you’re trying to control uncontrollable events in your life. Perhaps you’re trying to change the health condition of someone who can’t be cured. Or you’re refusing to accept a job change or the fact that someone you love is gone.
This dream signifies it’s time to release control of these unpleasant events. Consider the wisdom and stoicism of the owl. Focus on accepting things outside your control and being grateful for everything you have.
Owl Flying
If an owl soars through the skies in your dream, it symbolizes hope, progress, and inspiration. It’s a reminder to trust your intuition to move you forward. Also, it reminds you to dream big and never give up hope.
Further, it reminds you that guardian angels are watching you from the heavens. A higher power always guards your spirit. Your dreams are worthy of pursuit, and you should always keep your head up as you run after them.
Owls are stealthy flyers, silently gliding as they travel. This is a reminder of the effortless maneuvers you make in your daily life. You make decisions easily, confidently, and faithfully.
When you see the owl flying, it signifies spiritual awakening and rebirth. You’re calm in spirit and trust that the universe will provide everything you need. You release negative emotions as they come up instead of suppressing them.
Owl Under the Full Moon
This dream is a powerful spiritual omen. It’s a sign of your spiritual progress and your psychic abilities. The full moon is full of magical power and potent energy.
This dream is a reminder that your life will improve when you take advantage of the powers of the full moon. You can practice full moon affirmations, cleanse your crystals, and engage in visualization and transcendental meditation during the full moon to enhance your spiritual energy.
Don’t ignore your dream of an owl in the full moon’s glow. It’s a powerful visualization of the spiritual might that you’ve achieved over the years. It reminds you you’re strong in spirit and have a healthy relationship with the universe, nature, loved ones, and yourself.
Owl Eating Prey
Seeing an owl eating its prey in your dream signifies achievement, opportunity, good fortune, and manifestation. Have you been working on a goal or planning a move? Well, this dream indicates you’ll find success in those endeavors.
It’s also a sign of your excellent critical thinking skills and ability to adapt to your environment. Like the owl, you know how to locate and seize what you desire and manage the process effortlessly. You’ve become a leader and innovator in your field and rarely miss the mark.
This dream could signify new information or wisdom. You may have recently learned a life lesson that you’re processing. It may symbolize your educational endeavors and studious nature.
Owl Speaking to You
If an owl talks to you in your dream, you may receive the dream’s message without needing interpretation! Try to recall what the owl says to you, or at least the essence of the message. Whenever any bird talks to you in a dream, it’s usually a message from the spirit realm or an ancestor.
In this dream, your subconscious tells you you’re worthy of receiving advice and wisdom. You have an open mind and open ears. You’re not arrogant, and you appreciate the perspectives and opinions of others.
Communication is the key meaning of this dream. Whether you communicate with your family, friends, or a higher power, remember to do so often and intentionally. When you communicate your thoughts, desires, and fears, you’re opening the doors to receive more answers.
Baby Owl (Owlet) or Tiny Owl
If you see a young owl or a small owl in your dream, it’s a reminder to pay attention to the details in your life. Even the smallest owls have the same long-range vision, acute hearing, and cunning instincts as large owls. Similarly, though you may not look ferocious on the outside, you are on the inside.
This dream means it’s time to recognize the small habits and sacrifices you’ve made to get where you are now. Although you still have a long way to go on your life path, you’ve already come far. It’s time to thank yourself and others for the effort that led you here.
Seeing baby owls in your dreams is a reminder to nurture your spiritual side. If you neglect it, it will fade. You must practice spiritual rituals daily to improve your psychic abilities and stay in tune with your instincts.
Owl Meaning on a Tattoo
Owl tattoos are popular due to their attractiveness and deep meanings. Depending on the style of the tattoo, these owl art pieces can mean different things. Generally, owl tattoos symbolize vision, overcoming darkness or fears, and hope.
Undeniably, it’s one of the most common animal tattoos out there, behind lions and wolves. Owl tattoos may appear intimidating and fierce or pure and beautiful. If you’re considering an owl tattoo, start by deciding what your owl represents.
Wisdom
Most owl tattoos symbolize wisdom at their core. Owls are mighty creatures that represent intellect and intuition. An owl tattoo reminds you of your experience and good judgment.
Darkness
Many people adore the owl’s dark, shadowy, mysterious symbolism. It hunts at night and represents witchcraft, dark omens, and death. Yet, it also represents gaining control over your fears and connecting with your shadow side.
Owls thrive in the dark. The owl tattoo reminds you that you have power over deception and no one can take advantage of you. You’re able to maneuver calmly through the darkest of nights.
Maturity
Some people get owl tattoos to represent growth and life transitions. As you progress through life, you learn valuable lessons, and you can see the world from new perspectives. You gain maturity and learn to live by values such as hope and patience.
The serene owl symbolizes the peaceful awareness that comes with maturity. Like you, the wise old owl has seen it all and is ready for what comes next. Owl tattoos are a graceful way to remind yourself of all that you’ve overcome.
Conclusion
In summary, owls have rich symbolism all over the world. They’re symbols of wisdom, foresight, and vigilance. On the other hand, some cultures associate them with evil, darkness, mystery, and witchcraft.
Owls remind you to trust your instincts and release your secrets. They’re a powerful omen of transformation and spiritual intelligence. So, the next time you spot one in real life or your dreams, remember these unique meanings and ponder what they mean for you.
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