Owl Symbolism: 9 Spiritual Meanings of This Mystical Bird

Photo of an owl by Jean van der Meulen on Pexels

Owls are fascinating birds of prey that have featured in abundance in art throughout history.

Humans have been interested in owls for thousands of years. There are early etchings in owl caves in France, dating from 15-30 thousand years ago.

Tom Warren writes that owls can also be found on Greek coins and Roman vases.

In addition, owls also regularly appear in dreams and meditations as power animals and animal totems, which only adds to their mysticism.

Symbolically, owls often signify wisdom, enlightenment, guidance, and discovery.

Aside from these general themes, below are 9 spiritual meanings of owls:

*Photo of a snowy owl by Hans Benn from Pixabay with text overlay Owl symbolism: 9 spiritual meanings of this mystical bird*

1 – Use your excellent vision

Owls can rotate their heads 270 degrees to see more of the panorama around them.

If an owl has appeared to you, it can serve as a reminder that you too have excellent eyesight to see the space around you.

2 – Listen to your surroundings

There are over 200 species of owls and most are nocturnal. Although owls have excellent night vision, they cannot hunt in complete darkness using only their vision. In total darkness, they use their ears to locate their meal.

If an owl appears to you, it can be a sign that you cannot locate what you need to achieve with your eyes, but by listening to your surroundings.

3 – Be silent when approaching your goals

The western screech owl has a silent flight. This allows them to sneak up on their prey and catch it without losing too much energy.

If an owl appears to you in a dream or meditation, it can be a symbol to remind you that silence can help you achieve your goals with less effort.

4 – Practice distance in response to danger

If caught, elf owls will play dead until the danger is past.

In response to conflict, owls may appear as a sign to detach and not respond with a sign of care or resistance until the danger has passed.

5 – Accept an alpha female lifestyle

In the world of owls, females are larger and more aggressive than males. Because the birds are dimorphic, females are often more richly colored than males as well.

In fact, female snowy owls are 30% heavier than males and have more distinctive markings.

If an owl is your totem animal, it can be a sign of embracing an owl-like hierarchy in your life. For example, if you are an “alpha” female, embrace it. If you have an “alpha” woman in your life, let it be.

6 – Great wisdom supports your path to enlightenment

In Norse mythology, the name for owl is Katyogel, meaning goddess of wisdom. If you see an owl in the Nordic landscape in daylight, it means that you are on the right path to your destiny.

In Norse lore, an owl as a totem can signify that you have wisdom to support your path and serve as an affirmation that you are on the right path to your highest soul’s potential.

7 – You have a guide to the underworld

In death, owls act as messengers between this world and the next. In Norse mythology, they help us see into the darkness and use it to become wise.

An owl can be a spirit guide to help you navigate the afterlife.

Embracing an owl as your spirit guide can help you navigate a person’s death, a job, a dream, a way of life, or a way forward. Many things die and we mourn them all.

Owls as spirit messengers can guide us through these many deaths.

8 – Consider slow courtship in relationships

According to the San Diego Zoo, owls perform slower courtship displays. They must overcome their fear of each other before mating.

To do this, the male makes offerings and drops food at the feet of the females to gain their trust. Even so, it may take some time for her to get closer.

If an owl appears to you in love, it can be a sign that slower courtship may be needed in your relationships at this time.

9 – Watch out for competitors

There are two main types of relationships in nature: cooperation and competition. In the latter case, owls hunt other owls. A major predator of the barred owl is the great horned owl.

Owls appearing as your totem can serve as a reminder to keep an eye on your competitors at the current time and choose your path wisely.