Did you know that there are over 250 species of owls in the world? Despite the fact that the majority of owls prefer to be active at night and nest in locations that humans do not frequent, some owls appear during the day and in less distant areas. Whether or not they are nocturnal, owls have a great deal of symbolism. However, a daytime sight can have a far more profound significance. Here, we will explain everything you need to know about owls, their spiritual significance, and the significance of hearing or seeing one of these wonderful birds.
What Do Owls Represent?
Owls are commonly associated with wisdom and intellect, despite the fact that they may not be as intelligent as people believe them to be. Why then are they associated with wisdom?
Numerous cultures and indigenous North American peoples associate owls with both knowledge and death. Some tribes think that the bird can detect distinct weather patterns and is also a wise guide in the afterlife. For some cultures, an owl’s hoot considered a portent of ill fortune.
In addition, the ancient Greeks identified owls with Athena, the goddess of intelligence and combat prowess. Similar to ancient Greeks, Celtic peoples connected owls with warriors and combat. In fact, according to Celtic legend, the owl warrior possesses knowledge of the underworld, thanks in part to its nocturnal lifestyle. In addition to its associations with wisdom and warriors, the owl is a Celtic sign of fertility.
What Does It Mean When an Owl Is Seen?
Observing an owl during the day is uncommon, but not impossible. If you see an owl at dusk, it is most likely a pygmy owl, however the small owl and the short-eared owl are also significantly active during the dwindling daylight hours.
Historically, different societies had distinct interpretations of what it meant to observe an owl. For instance, ancient Greeks and Romans believed that seeing an owl would bring them insight and, in certain cases, a vision. In contrast, Christians would have associated owl sightings with satanism due to the nocturnal nature of the bird.
What Does It Mean When an Owl Is Heard?
So, seeing an owl is one thing, but hearing it is something else different. An owl may hoot for a variety of reasons, including to assert its territory, warn others of a nearby predator, or lure a mate. Studies indicate that each owl may have a unique hooting pattern that distinguishes it from the others.
Even dogs can be alarmed by an owl’s hoot. In actuality, the Romans believed that the hoot signified an impending death. Although there is no evidence to support this myth, there is something unsettling about an owl acting abnormally, even if it is simply communicating.
Owl Spiritual Meaning Example Pieces
Some indigenous communities in North America view the owl as a symbol for those born between November 23 and December 21. However, the symbolism of the owl differs widely throughout tribes. For instance, the Pawnee consider it as a symbol of protection, whereas the Ojibwa see it as a portent of death. According to Pueblo mythology, the Skeleton Man, also known as Maasaw, was connected to owls. Besides being a god of death, Maasaw was also associated with fertility.
As stated previously, for the ancient Greeks, the owl represented the goddess of wisdom, Athena. According Greek traditions, Athena was so taken with the owl that she instantly adopted it as her symbol. It became her sign and was connected with superior intelligence and prophecy. Moreover, due to Athena’s ties to combat tactics, it was believed that the owl protected the Greek army; if soldiers spotted an owl before embarking into battle, they were assured of victory. Aristophanes, for instance, asserted that Athena sent an owl to the battlefield when the Athenians fought the Persians, ensuring their victory.
It is essential to keep in mind that symbolism is what we make it. To comprehend the significance of seeing an owl during the day, it is necessary to connect the experience to one’s own life. Therefore, pay close attention to the signals owls are attempting to convey, as they are not always what they appear to be.
