Owl Symbolism
Owls have captivated the imagination of humans for millennia. With their large, forward-facing eyes, rounded heads, and cryptic nocturnal behavior, owls have come to symbolize wisdom, intuition, vision, mystery, and magic throughout history and across cultures. This guide provides a deep dive into the rich symbolic meaning behind these avian sages of the night.
Overview of Owl Symbolism
Owls have been revered as harbingers of occult knowledge and keepers of arcane secrets since ancient times. Their ability to see clearly at night and hunt with stealth gives them an aura of otherworldliness and power.
Across many indigenous cultures, owls were associated with prophecy, premonition, and revealing hidden truths. The owl served as a spirit guide to shamans, medicine men, and healers, helping them traverse between cosmic planes to gather esoteric wisdom.
In Greek mythology, the owl was linked to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and warfare. The “owl of Athena” remains an enduring symbol of perspicacity and erudition.
In parts of Africa, owls foretold births, deaths, and other momentous events. Among the Kikuyu people of Kenya, owls were regarded as harbingers of calamity and death.
Owls also symbolize intuition, magic, and the ability to see beyond surface illusions. Their ability to rotate their heads 270 degrees gives them a broad perspective unavailable to other birds.
Owls as Symbols of Wisdom
The most ubiquitous association of the owl is with wisdom.
In Ancient Greece, the Little Owl was the companion of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and learning. Owls were considered omens of good fortune by the Greeks and the hoot of an owl indicated victory was imminent in battle.
This link between owls and wisdom passed into modern symbolism and owl figures, especially the Little Owl, remain iconic representations of learning and erudition.
The owl’s association with wisdom comes from several key traits:
- Keen eyesight – Their large, forward-facing eyes give owls superior vision, especially in low light. Their ability to see and hunt at night imbued them with an aura of supernatural power.
- Silent flight – Owls can fly silently thanks to specialized feather adaptations, allowing them to ambush prey undetected. This stealthiness added to their mystique.
- Perched posture – Owls often sit perfectly still while observing their surroundings. This meditative, thoughtful pose lent itself to being a symbol of wisdom.
- Long lifespan – Some owl species live over 20 years. Their longevity signified the accrual of knowledge over time.
- Nocturnal habits – The owl’s nightly rhythms connected them to the moon, stars, and occult mysteries.
- Serene gaze – An owl’s calm but piercing gaze came to symbolize the wise man’s meditative detachment and ability to see to the heart of things.
Owls as Omens and Messengers
In addition to wisdom, owls are strongly linked to prophecy, premonition, and foretelling the future.
Owls have long been regarded as omens because of their nocturnal habits and haunting night calls. Hearing an owl hoot or seeing one flyby has been taken as a sign that something, good or bad, would soon come to pass.
Some Native American tribes considered owls closely related to medicine men and prophesiers. Owls were seen as guides from the spirit world and their calls were interpreted as warnings or signs.
In Africa, owls foretold important events like births, deaths, and rains. Among the Agikuyu people of Kenya, a hooting owl meant someone was about to die.
In European folklore, hearing an owl shriek presaged doom and destruction. If an owl sat on the roof of a house, it was said a family member would soon die.
Because they traverse the night realm, owls serve as messengers between worlds, facilitating communication between humans and spirits. They were viewed as spirit animals by early shamans who looked to owls for guidance.
Symbolism of Different Owl Species
The many different species of owls also have distinct symbolic meanings:
Barn Owl: Intuition, clairvoyance, magic
Barred Owl: Transition, spiritual guidance
Burrowing Owl: Grounding, humor
Great Horned Owl: Foresight, illumination
Long-eared Owl: Creativity, imagination
Screech Owl: Self-sufficiency, independence
Short-eared Owl: Opportunity, versatility
Snowy Owl: Mysticism, spiritual ascension
Owls in Mythology
Owls feature prominently in myths from around the world:
- In Greek myth, the owl was linked to Athena and also served as a symbol for the city of Athens1.
- Lakota legend says an owl sat on the Creator’s shoulder and relayed messages during the making of the world.
- In India, owls were said to comprise the army of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Hearing owls was considered auspicious2.
- Mayan legend held that owls served as messengers for the gods and flew between the land of the living and the dead.
- In Australian Aboriginal myths, owls were companions to medicine people and conveyed messages from the spirit world.
Owls as Spirit Animals & Totems
Owls carry important meaning as spirit animals or totems:
- Owl people are drawn to magic and the occult. They have natural prophetic abilities and are adept at reading subtle signals.
- Those with an owl totem value their solitude and freedom. They feel most active at night.
- Barn owl spirit animals symbolize clairvoyance and follow one’s intuition.
- A snowy owl totem indicates a strong connection with the spirit realm.
- If the burrowing owl is your totem, you can find humor and joy in life’s journey.
- The great horned owl totem manifests as being fierce, focused, and territorial in pursuit of goals.
Owls in Dreams and Omens
Owls can bring potent messages when they appear in dreams or omens:
- A hooting owl generally signals disappointment and possibly danger ahead.
- To see a dead owl in a dream warns of sickness and losing touch with intuition.
- If an owl tries to peck your eyes in a dream, it means you aren’t facing a harsh truth.
- Spotting a barn owl suggests you’ve missed an opportunity by ignoring your higher senses.
- The hoot of a barred owl signifies spiritual growth and finding your true path.
- Encountering a great horned owl is a call to identify goals and boldly manifest them.
Owls in Popular Culture
Beyond symbolism, owls have made their way into pop culture:
- In the Harry Potter series, owls act as messengers that deliver mail and packets.
- Owl imagery is ubiquitous across tarot decks, especially the Taxus baccata L. plant.
- Winnie the Pooh’s companion Owl represents dry wit and deadpan humor.
- Legend of Zelda games feature owl companions as guides offering practical advice.
- Duo hoota, hoota, hoo! from the 70s kids show H.R. Pufnstuf.
Owls are intriguing and mystical birds that continue to capture our imagination. Their symbolic meanings reveal invaluable messages about wisdom, intuition, and heeding guidance from unseen realms. When an owl Spirit Animal comes into your life, it brings opportunities to grow in consciousness and access sacred, arcane knowledge.
Key Takeaways on Owl Symbolism:
Frequently Asked Questions about Owl Symbolism
Q: What does it mean when you see an owl?
Seeing an owl, either awake or in a dream, is often considered an omen. It usually signifies that a change or transition is on the horizon, or that you need to pay attention to hidden insights coming from your intuitive self.
Q: Are owls good luck or bad luck?
Opinions vary on whether owls represent good or bad luck. In some cultures they are seen as harbingers of evil and death. But in most cases, owls are perceived as wise messengers of intuitive knowledge and thus bring good luck.
Q: What does an owl symbolize in Native American culture?
To Native Americans, owls represented wisdom, foresight, and connection to intuitive realms. Their calls were thought to convey warnings or messages from the spirit world.
Q: What does it mean if an owl visits you?
If an owl shows up unexpectedly in your surroundings, it could mean that intuitive messages are coming your way, or your path ahead is about to undergo significant change. Their appearance is a call to open your mind to hidden truths.
Q: What does it mean when an owl hoots at night?
Hearing an owl hooting at night is often construed as an omen. It was believed that nocturnal owl hoots portended disappointment, difficult times, sickness, or even death ahead
