This is evidenced by the owl branding on Celtic clothing, particularly in knotwork designs, bestiaries, and household ornaments. Owls were also symbolic of the ancient Celtic goddess of fertility. They also believed that these creatures were strong defenders of honor and truth and that they had no tolerance for lies or deception.
Regarded more as a warrior and a guardian of honor, the Celts believed that owls were a path to underground knowledge. Celtic MythologyĬeltic traditions have a slightly different take on the owl. In these cases, owls were more symbolic of clan identity, which is why their images were carved on totem poles. However, for other tribes such as the Hopi, owls were used more as guardians and were less connected with death and mystery. Others believed that the hoot of an owl was a bad omen because it meant that the dead accompanied owls in their journey to the afterlife. Some also thought that seeing an owl was a sign that their ancestors were sending messages to them about other tribe members.Ĭoncerning death, some tribes believed that the bone circles around owls’ eyes signified ghosts and lost souls. Believed to be harbingers of sacred knowledge, many tribes associated this wisdom with the patterns of time and the secrets of the afterlife. In Native American traditions, owls are connected to wisdom and death. While some cultures see owls in an optimistic way, others refer to these creatures in a more ominous manner. Images and tales of owls are abundant in tribal folklore and religious sects. Their eerie calls in the night air also give them an added sense of mystery. Long thought to be connected with the afterlife, owls represent access to the supernatural realms. The SupernaturalĪs creatures of the night, owls are associated with the supernatural, particularly in folklore traditions. An owl’s call is therefore synonymous with impending transformation and the arrival of death or peril. This harps back to times when an owl hoot was used by tribes to signal the approach of attack. In some traditions, owls are messengers of death, which, on a broader scale, is associated with change. They are also symbolic of the ability to trust one’s instincts and to see beyond the surface of things. Owls encourage one to see what is hidden and to be discerning with other people and situations.
Intuition & Visionīecause owls can see in the dark, they are associated with clarity of vision and the ability to see past veils of deception. This is connected to ancient beliefs about owls being protectors of knowledge from the underworld. However, unlike intellectual wisdom, owls are linked with the deeper wisdom of the soul. One of the most well-known meanings of an owl is wisdom. Below are a few of the most common themes associated with these night creatures. The owl carries many symbolic meanings which vary between cultures.
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