This bird sees in the dark, and how an owl totem gives you the ability to see behind a veil of deception and illusion. It helps to understand what is hidden. An owl also symbolizes the ability to dispel illusions and see the real meaning of one's action or condition.
The value of totem animals
Perhaps there are no better communicators of symbolic messages than representatives of the animal world. From birds to bees, bears and badgers, the creatures of this planet offer us infinite wisdom. Take a lion, for example. Only by his appearance alone can we understand that this animal symbolizes power, valor and pride. Other animals, however, may not be as clear from the point of view of their symbolic meaning, for example, a snail or a sparrow. Sometimes creatures are so common or overlooked that we may not notice the rich meaning that they provide us. Then we need to dig below the surface. This is where we find deep meaning.
So, why should we care about what animals are in terms of symbolism? Because everything living in this world has its own meaning, which it willingly shares with us, even if we do not always notice it. Studying the deeper meaning inherent in every living creature opens up a completely new opportunity for us to see ourselves and the world around us.
Example: very often we come across a specific animal. Maybe this seemed like a curious coincidence to us. Or, perhaps, this creature manifests itself at a peculiar moment in our life. Instead of discarding these phenomena as coincidences, we can use our intuitive ability to understand the messages that animals convey to us.
The importance of symbolism
As already mentioned, all nature speaks a symbolic language. This is a language that we can all understand. This is due to the fact that we have the ability to construct a meaningful understanding of what we see and experience in nature.
Who are owls?
These are birds from the genus Strigiformes, which includes about 200 species of predominantly single and nocturnal birds of prey, typical in appearance: with large, wide heads, binocular vision, binaural hearing, sharp claws and feathers adapted for silent flight. Exceptions include the northern hawk owl and several other species.
These birds prey mainly on small mammals, insects, and other birds, although several species specialize in hunting fish. They are found in all regions of the Earth, except for Antarctica and some remote islands.
Most soviet predators who actively hunt for prey in the dark. However, several species of them are active during the twilight hours of dawn and sunset. One such example is a dwarf owl. Another example is the earthen and short-eared owls.
Most of the hunting strategies of these birds depend on stealth and a surprise attack. They have at least two adaptations that help them achieve secrecy.
Firstly, the faded color of their feathers makes them almost invisible under certain weather or landscape conditions. Secondly, the serrated edges on the front edge of the owl's ribs drown out the heartbeat, and the feathers drown out the sounds of flight, allowing it to hunt silently for unsuspecting prey.
The sharp beak and its powerful claws make it possible to kill prey before swallowing it whole (if it is not too big). Scientists studying the behavior and nutrition of these mysterious birds are helped by their habit of rejecting the indigestible parts of their prey (such as bones, scales and fur) in the form of granules. These “salt granules” are numerous and easily recognizable, therefore they are often sold by companies to schools and universities for use as examples in biology classes.
Symbolism of the night predator
When an owl is your totem animal, you have strong intuition and you can access information and wisdom, which is usually hidden to most. The spirit of this bird encourages you to look beyond deceptive manifestations, seeing the true reality of the situation or the motives of a person. The totem animal test (for example, by year of birth) will tell you about this.
An owl is a powerful spiritual totem giving a sea of discernment and the ability to make decisions based on intuition. Turn to him when you need to assess the situation or survive troubled times. He will answer your call.
Totem Strength
If you are interested in the meaning of an owl, then you probably love to explore the unknown. Secrets of life - a fascinating field of study for people who are patronized by this mysterious night bird. As an owl guides your life, you are likely to develop a deeper understanding of it.
When this bird appears in your life, you should pay attention to the subtle signs and signs that surround you. Your guide from the animal world is a great helper, allowing you to be attentive to what usually falls out of your attention a little, but now has a special meaning.
The owl symbol is also associated with guidance on unlocking hidden potential and abilities. Most likely, your intuitive strength craves release. Much of the symbol depends on the type of bird. Whatever the reviews say, the barn owl totem , for example, is much more closely associated with night than with wisdom.
Night time is especially favorable for your creativity, so find a free couple of hours to focus on something your creative energy.
Those for whom the owl is a totem, even at birth, were drawn into the element of darkness, and therefore prefer to work at night. For this reason, if you relate to such people, you are not afraid of occultism, darkness or magic and often demonstrate the gift of foresight. In addition, your wisdom gives you the opportunity to extract secret information from others. As a result, you hear not what others say, but what they think and feel, revealing subtleties of voice that others cannot understand.
Tests for totem animals converge in one, equally endowing this bird with wisdom and insight. People cannot deceive you, because you are able to see other souls in the darkness. Most people with owl totem are also considered clairvoyant because of this frightening ability. But it does not always work, because you must learn to trust your instincts and intuition.
Owl Totem - Harbinger of Change
It symbolizes death in many traditions. However, in most cases, this should not be taken literally: if a bird is associated with death, it can be considered symbolic, which means a transition in life, important changes that are taking place, have already been or have yet to be realized.
When an owl appears in your life, pay attention to the winds of change. Perhaps you are about to quit some old habits or resolve a situation that no longer serves you or brings newness to your life.
Dreams
When you think of an owl, your spiritual animal may contact you to warn of a danger or threat that you should pay attention to. It can give you a wise understanding of important issues that you should not ignore.
When a bird appears in a dream, it can also mean that the intuitive part of your personality is trying to attract attention: listen to the subtle messages left by an unknown force, because this may be something important, but not necessarily obvious.
An owl can also be a guide to help you through the possibly difficult and painful transition process. Since this totemic animal is often associated with death when an owl appears in a dream, this may mean that you are receiving instructions regarding personal transformation, change.
In many interpretations of sleep, it can represent a late friend or family member who returns in the form of a spiritual animal.
When this bird visits you in a state of sleep, you may need to let go of the past or specific negative actions.
If this predator abducts you in a dream, this message indicates disappointment and death. In other words, your subconscious mind may try to draw your attention to your thoughts or actions in your waking life. This means that they are counterproductive for your spiritual goals.
Death in this sense can only be a symbolic gap signifying a transition or getting rid of bad habits.
Night and darkness
Birds, especially nocturnal ones, are often associated with departed souls. Owls are no exception. According to some authors, they are considered a bad omen, indicating the imminent death of a close relative or someone important. The Romans even believed that an owl, looking from the top of a public building, announces the death of an important statesman. It may also represent the spirit of a deceased family member or close friend.
The night owl was an animal associated with the god of death in the Aztec tradition. A similar understanding of this symbol was shared by the Celts, who associated her spirit with the animal declaring death, especially if it flies through someone’s window, while the sick person is inside the house. The bird was seen as a spiritual animal that carried the souls of the dead to the underworld. The Slavic owl totem was associated not only with wisdom, but also with darkness.
Other values
In Native American American traditions, the owl is called the night eagle. Her totem has a special connection with the night and the moon, while the eagle is associated with the sun.
Owl is associated with witchcraft in a number of European and Native American traditions. Witches often considered her the main conductor among animals.
In Greek mythology, Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war, was often represented as an owl. It is said that the Romans believed that someone would reveal all their secrets during sleep, if you put a feather of this bird next to his pillow.
Intuition
These birds like to sit quietly and calmly in order to be able to observe their surroundings. Therefore, as a symbol of an owl, it indicates that you may have to move away from the bustle of life. Take a waiting position and calmly watch your surroundings. Moreover, slowing down and stabilizing will allow you to access the wealth of information that surrounds you, and the true meaning of an owl as a totem. Whenever this bird is present in your life, it will share its ability to see what others may not notice. In other words, the meaning of the symbol is to open your eyes and really learn how things really are. You will be surprised at what will open before you. For example, you can see and understand the true motives of other people. External manifestations will give way to truth and inner meaning.
Through the prism of mass culture
Thanks to modern literature, such as the Winnie the Pooh story, and through folklore, we always associate owls with wisdom. However, there are other qualities that this bird has. These predators are often perceived as mysterious mainly because most of them are purely nocturnal creatures, and people have always endowed this part of the day with ominous qualities, linking it with mystery and obscurity. Owls live in the darkness, which inspires thoughts of magic, secrets and ancient knowledge. The moon belongs to night, with which these birds are also strongly associated. During the cycles of renewal of the night luminary, they were even considered a symbol of femininity and fertility.
Owls in mythology
Even mythology often associates an owl with wisdom and femininity. She was a symbol of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war. This indicates the deep significance of the owl totem for women. According to myth, the bird sat on Athena’s shoulder so that she could see the whole truth. In ancient Greece, the owl was a symbol of higher wisdom, as well as the keeper of the Acropolis.
Minerva, the Roman counterpart of Athena, was closely associated with lightning, as well as with a night predator. The value of the owl totem for girls can refer to the wisdom and militancy of Athena and Minerva - the noble goddesses of antiquity.
Pawnee and Sioux saw this bird as a messenger of the first evil creature - Unktekhi. At the same time, the Lakota tribe had the Owl Society, where warriors fought mainly at night and painted dark rings around their eyes, because they believed that this would allow them to have the sharp eyesight of night birds. Owl amulets were also common in some cultures.
The harbinger of death
There are many superstitions associated with these noble birds, many of which focus on death. In Europe and America, the owl was seen as a harbinger of death. This was due to some peoples, such as the Dakota Indians and some Germanic tribes and Scandinavian Vikings, who signaled the approach of the attack, imitating the cry of an owl. He was and remains the easiest bird to follow. The Mayans called the signals emitted by the night predators of Yucatan, "bird moan", and believed that they portend death. The white owl totem of this people was directly identified with the whiteness of dilapidated bones.