SPIRITUAL AND ESOTERIC MEANING OF BIRDS

Human beings, over the years, have left a long list of symbols, hypotheses, signs, messages, among other things, that refer to birds. Each civilization has given the birds a spiritual meaning, some agree and others are very different. We invite you to continue reading to find out.

Why do birds have spiritual meaning?

During the oldest human civilizations, in which empirical explanations were sought for any event or element, birds played a fundamental role. They were known as messengers of the gods, some indicated good fortune, others were associated with bad luck or they were simply attributed with human emotions or attributes, for example: fidelity, happiness, power, beauty, among others.

The first reason why birds were attributed spiritual significance was because of their ability to fly. They could observe the world from above with the perspective of a “god”. Hence, they were associated with the gods and the soul, since it seemed that they had no physical restrictions.

For example, one of the civilizations that used birds with spiritual meaning was Egypt. Some of their deities, like Ra, had bird heads, which symbolized humans’ relationship with nature and their spirituality.

Another example is found in the phrase that we currently use: ““A little bird told me.”. This expression was created because birds symbolized messengers and communicators of secrets.

So, the association of birds with the spirit is not only a matter of ancient civilizations, since today, in one way or another, that relationship is referred to and the same attributes continue to be associated.

General symbology of birds and their spiritual meaning

Birds have not only had a spiritual meaning, since in many civilizations they have been used for rituals, they have been worshiped and they have been used as decorations. Hence, they have played a significant role in the tribes.

Bird feathers, in general, were associated with freedom and with rituals of clairvoyance and divination. Over time, feathers were classified according to species and assigned different meanings and purposes.

An example of the general symbology of birds is evident in the shamans or witches of many tribes: they carried the feathers of the birds and each one was attributed a color and a specific meaning within their traditions. The more “ornaments” the shaman wore, the greater authority he had in the tribe.

Symbolic relationship between birds, fish and their spiritual meaning

Just as birds have had a lot of weight in the traditions and mythologies of ancient civilizations, fish have also been given their importance. According to scientists and paleontologists, both species share the same origin: reptiles.

Birds and fish have the same origin, but they took different evolutionary paths. However, the spiritual meaning that man gave them was very similar. Feathers and scales, in many traditions, were used for almost the same purposes.

Birds and fish mean opposites, one flies in the sky while the other swims in the depths of the sea. Both were associated with freedom, since man had not been able to reach any of those “kingdoms.”

Ancient civilizations, appreciating the unknown, both in the sea and in the sky, believed that fish and birds had a relevant spiritual meaning within our world.

Birds, spiritual meaning

As already stated, many of the birds were assigned spiritual meaning in ancient civilizations. Below, we will present a detailed summary of the symbology of a few of them.

Eagle

The eagle is one of the birds that has the greatest symbolic weight for man. For many years it has been attributed the spiritual meaning of power, royalty and freedom.

The symbolism of the eagle was associated with its size, strength and presence of authority. Furthermore, appreciating its wonderful flight, the speed, grace and skill with which it hunted, inspired many to assign it the emblem of power.

On the other hand, its sense of sight earned it many other meanings. For example, saying that an individual has an eagle’s eye is because he has sharp and precise vision that can observe from very far away.

Many civilizations gave it a different status or symbolism, but at the same time very similar:

The United States of America associated it with freedom, victory, sovereignty and power, adopting it as a symbol of the country. Germany associated it with power and the status of “king of the birds”, which represented them as a powerful nation that stood out among the others. The Roman Empire, the Russians and the Austro-Hungarian used the eagle as an emblem and banner of their sovereignty. The Chinese gave the eagle the spiritual meaning of courage, tenacity, strength and dexterity.

Sun bird and divine messenger

In religions, the eagle was often associated with the sun and God. For example, the Aztecs revered it as the bird that devoured the serpent of darkness, making the sun rise and welcoming a new day.

In the Catholic religion they gave it the spiritual meaning of representative of divine power and inspiration of God. A curious fact is that in most churches, the podium, where the Bible is held for sermons, is shaped like an eagle.

Lark

The lark is a very well-known bird in Europe, more precisely in Greece. For his singing during the flight he earned the attribute of happiness and joy of life. Both positive and negative aspects can be attributed to this bird, depending on the interpretation and the area.

Positive meanings

The Greeks attributed her to the personification of joy and happiness, and also associated her with a full life. The ancient barbarians, for their part, adopted her as a sacred figure and messenger of her divinities. According to their legends, larks already lived in the world before the arrival of the gods.

Its spiritual meanings are those previously attributed by the Greeks, but much later it was associated with good news, the beginning of something, natural grace, kindness and trust.

Negative meanings

The negative meanings attributed to the lark are related to lack of concern for everything, infidelity, negligence, incompetence, unconsciousness, lack of perseverance and the bad habit of running away from responsibilities.

Ostrich

The ostrich is one of the largest birds in the world and although many people are unaware of it, it is also one of those that can be very dangerous. His stubborn and explosive character earned him bad and good fame at the same time.

If you are interested in knowing more about the ostrich, we invite you to watch the following video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tv3k6F7h3s

During ancient Egypt, ostrich feathers were used in ceremonies for the goddess Maat. These symbolized the truth, and were also used for the judgments of death. That legend gave her the attribute of justice, since the pen was placed on one side of the scale and the injustices you had done in your life were placed on the other.

Throughout history, both positive and negative things were attributed to him.

positive meaning

Although it is one of the few birds that does not fly, one of its spiritual meanings is speed, as it runs at very high speeds. The attributes that have been assigned to it throughout history are the following: justice, honesty, rectitude, truth, moral integrity, impartiality and dignity.

Negative meaning

The negative meaning of this bird has a lot to do with its strong character, because if you bother it too much it will chase you until it gets tired. These birds can easily kill someone with their powerful kicks and sharp claws.

Although it may not seem like it, and thanks to the myth that ostriches bury their heads when they are afraid, they have been associated with cowardice. Also, they have been related to the following attributes: stubbornness, stubbornness, stubbornness, bad decisions and not being able to change their thoughts.

Vulture

The vulture in many cultures was associated with death and bad luck, which is why it was classified as a bird of bad omen. In other civilizations it was the opposite, it symbolized purification and reincarnation, since their habit of eating corpses was associated with the action of releasing and guiding the spirits of the dead.

Although many people are afraid of vultures, as they are not very pleasant to see, they are attributed a spiritual meaning of goodness and motherhood. Legend has it that in situations where food is scarce, the mother vulture will feed her chicks with her own meat.

Stork

The stork is one of the most famous symbols in the world when it comes to birds. This represents fertility, thanks to the myth and legend that it is responsible for bringing parents a new child.

Its spiritual symbology is clearly positive and its meaning for different civilizations is very similar. His figure symbolizes fertility, family happiness, wealth, conception, maternal instinct, unity in the family, sensitivity, intuition, births and prosperity in the home.

Swan

The swan in ancient times was used for poetic, philosophical and psychological inspiration. Its name means white, which was assigned because of its beautiful plumage of the same color.

We invite you to watch the following video about the swan, a magnificent bird full of meanings:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc9lczCAM8A

Regarding the spiritual meaning of this bird, it is noted that in Greece it was perceived both positively and negatively, while in Asia it was perceived positively.

positive meaning

In Greece he was associated with light and the god Apollo, his figure symbolized beauty and purity. Due to his habit of associating himself with a partner for life, he was assigned the attribute of fidelity.

In Asia they attributed the attributes of prudence, courage, nobility, elegance, beauty and purity. His feathers were used as ornaments for people of high status.

In the end, if all the spiritual meaning attributed to the swan is included, these would be purity, beauty, nobility, courage, dignity, joy and a pure heart.

Negative meaning

The negative spiritual meaning of the swan is the opposite of the positive. Their dignity and nobility cross the line and end up becoming vanity and empty pride. Other negative definitions of the bird are hypocrisy, cowardice, evil and emotional weakness.

hummingbird

The hummingbird, due to its small size, great speed and beautiful colors, was given very positive spiritual meanings, as it transmitted joy, beauty, truth, strength, harmony, speed and kindness.

Native Americans and other indigenous ethnic groups took him as the messenger of the gods. Its feathers served as an ornament for many shamans, since it was said that they had magical and miraculous properties.

Other birds and their spiritual meaning

Cuckoo

The cuckoo, also known as…