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Animal omens have been an important part of many cultures across the earth for centuries.
When an animal delivers an omen to you, it is believed that the animal is a messenger from the spirit world. A particular animal might appear at a time when you need guidance or confirmation, or it could show up to warn you of danger ahead.
Oftentimes, animal omens are based on how animals live and behave in nature. Their environments, habits, and natural instincts can give us clues about their meanings. For instance, seeing a scorpion may be a sign that you’re going to go through a transformative time soon but you will have the strength to get through it. You can usually identify a warning from an animal if they seem to act abnormally or if they’re seen doing things they wouldn’t normally do. For example, if a cat washes its face before eating or if a dog howls at the moon, those could be considered signs that something unfavorable may happen soon.
Sometimes animal omens can come from your animal spirit guides (aka spirit animals), “who appear when we need love, strength, support, inspiration, and guidance”, according to Shamanic Practitioner Bernadette King. Animal omens and spirit animals differ from Totem Animals (who you ‘are’) and Power Animals (spiritual energy you can invoke). In this post, we’ll be covering animal omens.
When animals show up on your journey, these omens may offer divine guidance and lessons and can provide deep insights into our lives. Read on to learn more about the ancient symbolism behind eleven common animal omens and what they might mean for you on your path!
Owl: Wisdom & Intuition
Owl omens draw on the wisdom of our ancestors and they can be used to help us understand the meaning of a situation or to give us insight into the future.
Owls are often associated with wisdom, knowledge, and magic. Owls are also considered to be messengers from the spirit world, as they can see things that other animals cannot. Owl omens can represent spiritual awakening, intuition, insight into the dark side of life, or even death (metaphorically or literally). In some cultures, including many Indigenous American tribes, they are seen as symbols of bad luck, disease, or dying (for example, an owl hooting at night is considered to be an omen of looming death).
However, owls have also been associated with good fortune in some cultures such as ancient Greece, where owls were believed to bring good luck if kept in the home. They are also often associated with witches and wizards in folklore, as well as with goddesses like Artemis, Athena, and Minerva. More generally, the owl is often associated with sage advice and has a long history of representing wisdom, intelligence, and intuition in cultures around the world.
Owl omens can be interpreted in many different ways depending on what it means to you. For example, if you are having trouble sleeping or if you have insomnia, then seeing or hearing an owl may indicate that you should take some time out for yourself and relax for a while. Seeing an owl in your dream or waking life can signify that you need to act on your inner guidance and trust your instinctive wisdom as it could help guide you to better outcomes. If you are going through a rough patch in your life, especially if you’ve been feeling lonely, then seeing an owl may mean that things will get better soon – for now, trust in yourself and the universe to guide you.
Deer: Gentleness, Alertness, & Swiftness
Deer are often associated with beauty, intuition, grace, gentleness, and alertness. As an omen, they can symbolize the need to stay sharp and be on alert for potential changes in your life. They also represent swiftness and decisiveness. Seeing a deer might suggest that you need to make a quick decision in the near future.
In many cultures, it is also associated with wisdom, and in some cases, even luck. The deer is a symbol of God’s creation, and its elegance and gentleness are traits that many humans can aspire to have. The deer is also an ancient symbol of feminine energy, which means that it’s often associated with the moon or cycles in our lives. This can be seen in many cultures around the world, where the deer is linked to fertility rituals and other celebrations of women’s power.
Seeing a deer can be a positive omen of the birthing of new beginnings and standing nobly in one’s own power; it may also be an indication that you will soon be blessed with good news about your love life or children. Deer are also associated with creativity due to their ability to jump over obstacles without any difficulty or effort. If there are no obstacles in your path, seeing a deer suggests that you should take advantage of opportunities while they’re still available so that you can increase your chances of success later on down the road. However, if you are met with any challenges, Deer encourages you that you can get through them with poise and ease.
Deer omens come in many different forms. Like most animal omens, some people see them as an omen of bad luck or danger, while others them as a sign of something good coming their way, such as a fresh start or increasing wealth.
Rabbit: Fear and Nervousness
The rabbit is considered by most to be an extremely lucky animal. Rabbits are an omen of fertility, life, abundance, and renewal. They also represent the feminine principle and love. The rabbit frequently brings news of happiness and success.
In Western culture, rabbits are often seen as symbols of fertility because they have large litters of offspring at one time. Because they give birth so rapidly, they have been associated with fast solutions to problems and a quick wit.
To the Chinese, rabbits are seen as having special powers over wealth and good fortune because they have been known to dig up precious metals such as silver or gold while they were burrowing underground. In Greek mythos, the rabbit is said to be blessed with “the gift of Aphrodite” due to its abundant procreative abilities. Rabbits are also believed to be sacred to Eros and can be an omen of insatiable desire, love, and romance. It can represent a person in your life who is creative, intuitive, gentle, and amorous.
As a warning, the rabbit can sometimes be an omen of fear and nervousness, representing avoidance in certain situations. In ancient myths, the rabbit was seen as an agent of deceit or temptation because of its ability to camouflage itself from predators. In Indian folklore, there is a story about how the god Vishnu took on the form of a rabbit to hide from an evil demon who wanted to eat him. This symbolism still carries over today – rabbits often represent a fear of facing an unknown future, representing feelings that are preventing growth and development. Seeing a rabbit might be telling you to confront your inner worries in order to move forward with confidence.
Fox: Cunningness
Foxes are one of the most mysterious animals in the world. Cunning and wise, these animals can be both gentle and fierce. The fox is a powerful symbol of intelligence and craftiness. In some ancient cultures, the fox was considered to be a creature of prophecy – capable of predicting certain events and guiding people through difficult times. They were seen as messengers of the gods or spirits with the ability to cross between the spirit world and our world. Associated with magic, witchcraft, and healing, they are also believed by many to be able to telepathically communicate with animals and humans alike.
Seeing a fox is a positive sign that you are growing in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Sometimes, foxes can appear as a warning against someone who is cunning or sly, so beware (especially if you dream of being chased by a fox!).
As an omen, the fox may indicate that you are dealing with a situation where you need to be shrewd in order to succeed, or that you have come across an opportunity that requires strategic and creative thinking. You may need to “keep your cards to your chest” so to speak, and be mindful of what you share with others and who you share with. Sometimes, the fox can come as a warning to suggest that everything is not as it appears – deceit (whether intentional or unintentional) may be at play. Beware of any trickery or illusion in your life. You or someone else may be hiding their true intentions behind a mask of innocence.
Cat: Curiosity, Independence, and Magic
A cat is a creature of mystery. Their independence, their aloofness, and their inherent ability to be both loving and vicious at the same time make them mysterious.
Cats are often believed to be omens of protection. To the ancients, they were often seen as spiritual guardians or protectors who can bring their owners good fortune and prosperity. The Egyptians believed cats were sacred animals, closely associated with the goddess Bastet or Pasht. She was a lunar goddess of fertility who sometimes took on the form of a cat or lioness. Cats were mummified in the same way as humans and even buried with their owners in the hope that they would provide protection for them in the afterlife.
Many cultures believe that cats have psychic abilities such as clairvoyance (seeing into the future), precognition (seeing events before they happen), or even telepathy (reading minds). They can see ghosts and multi-dimensional beings that our eyes can’t, and they are thought to guard us against (or help us connect to) these entities. So when a cat appears to you as an omen, it often indicates that you need to trust in your own intuition when making important decisions. Pay close attention to the current situation, and take notice of any subtle messages which could be guiding you toward a particular outcome. You may also need to protect yourself energetically.
Although not entirely solitary animals, cats are highly independent and autonomous. Seeing a cat can be a sign to embrace your independence and be more authentic when dealing with others. If you have issues with people-pleasing or co-dependency, the cat is an omen to start living your life on your own terms – do what YOU want, not what everyone else wants!
Less commonly, cats can show up as “negative” omens or warnings of evil energy and bad luck including disaster, disease, and poverty. Black cats in particular are often perceived to be bad omens around the world due to their association with witchcraft (black cats were once believed to be witches in feline form), however, others believe them to be symbols of agility, power, and security.
Bear: Strength & Protection
The bear is a very common animal omen that is seen in a variety of cultures. The bear is known for its strength, endurance, and tenacity. It represents the ability to protect oneself and others from harm. The bear is a protector spirit, like the wolf and dog. It is wise enough to know when it needs help and strong enough to accept it when it does come along.
The bear symbolizes strength and power, which are two characteristics that are highly sought after. Bear animal omens mean that you will have great strength to overcome your problems. It can also mean that you are afraid of facing your fears and that you need to be more courageous; you are more capable than you may realize! It may also be a sign of good luck and prosperity heading your way. The bear is considered to be one of the most auspicious omens in Chinese culture, as it is associated with blessings such as success, fortune, and happiness.
Another omen of the bear is that someone close to you has been healed from illness or disease and is now in good health again. Seeing a bear cub can suggest that something new is coming into your life soon. You may also be having second thoughts about something important regarding either yourself or someone else involved with this situation at this time (someone close to you). The advice of the bear is to protect your boundaries and seek the guidance of someone you trust if you need it.
Sometimes, the bear can come to you as a warning. Warnings about being smothering or over-protective with your loved ones, getting angry too easily or being too aggressive when talking to people or dealing with problems, and even people who might be trying to take advantage of your kindness can all be cautionary omens of the bear.
Raccoon:
Raccoons are intelligent, playful, and curious animals. They are nocturnal and have a very acute sense of smell. They are also opportunistic omnivores who will eat most things, including insects, small mammals, birds, fish, and plants.
While Raccoons are considered to be good luck by some cultures because of their cleverness and ability to survive in difficult conditions, they are also considered to be bad luck by others because they are sometimes destructive when they raid garbage cans or when they attack poultry farms.
Most often, Raccoon animal omens are a sign that you need to be careful of what you are doing. You may find that this animal is trying to warn you about someone in your life who has lied to you or cheated on you. It could be a lover, family member, or friend who has done something negative behind your back. Raccoon is usually a major signal of the need to be more cautious when dealing with people in the workplace or social life – you may have been too trusting and now find yourself in trouble because of it.
The next common meaning of a raccoon omen is that there will be some sort of conflict in your life soon, however, this conflict will be resolved with ease once it happens. If you dream about seeing this animal, then it means that there will be no problems when dealing with this issue at all! You may feel otherwise, but Raccoon can reveal that things are working in your favor, even if it doesn’t appear that way at the moment.
Another less common meaning of a raccoon animal omen is that something favorable will come your way soon – this can be a financial gain or just general good fortune. If you see this animal in your dreams, then it is also said that you will have good luck with money or wealth in some form. If you’ve been working toward these things, Raccoon is a sign that your efforts will be rewarded.
Frog:
Frogs can be found in almost every region of the world and are common in many cultures. They are often associated with fertility, life, prosperity, and good fortune. Frogs are also seen as harbingers of rain and they play an important role in the lives of many different human societies.
Frog omens are generally considered to be very lucky because it is believed that frogs bring prosperity, wealth, and fertility. The frog can produce thousands of eggs at one time while remaining healthy and happy, so ancient Chinese people believed that frogs were good omens and could bring them great fortune if they captured one and kept it in their homes.
This animal is known for its ability to survive in any environment as it can live on land or in water. This is why it is used as a symbol of adaptability, flexibility, and survival skills. Because frogs are able to change their skin when they need to do so, they are believed to have transformative, healing powers too, similar to the Snake. In some cultures, frogs have been revered as gods or have been used in healing rituals and ceremonies.
Generally, frogs are often omens of transformation, new beginnings, and success. When you see frogs, it means that your life is about to change for the better.
Snake:
Snake is a symbol of transformation, wisdom, and rebirth. Snakes are also considered to be great healers and psychics since they have been associated with the power of the feminine since ancient times, along with other symbols such as the egg, the moon, and water.
In the Bible, snakes represent temptation, evil, and Satan himself. Some cultures view the snake as a negative omen of deception and betrayal, however, to many the snake is a powerful, positive omen of fertility and the birth of something new. They also represent wisdom and esoteric knowledge that comes from deep introspection.
The snake is an animal omen that brings good luck when seen by someone who is pregnant or trying to get pregnant. It can also bring good luck if seen by someone who suffers from chronic pain or illness if they see one slithering across their path or even just crawling around near them, as the snake signals healing.
The snake is an ancient symbol of transformation, rebirth, and renewal. It sheds its skin, symbolizing the ability to shed old habits and move forward. Snakes are a common omen for those who want to let go of something, whether it be a relationship or some other aspect of their life that they feel is holding them back.
A warning from the snake can mean that temptation, greed, and materialism are having a negative effect on your life. Seeing a snake can be a sign that you need to slow down, get rid of things that aren’t useful, or add more balance to your routine. If you see a snake, ask yourself: what area of my life needs attention right now? What needs to change? What parts of myself/my life do I need to let go of?
The most frequent meaning of the snake omen is that you need to transform yourself in order to make progress in your life. Snake often appears when you may be clinging to the past, outdated relationships, or unhealthy habits which are no longer serving you. Snake says to you, release! Shed the old and make room for the new.
Dove:
Doves are an omen of peace, love, and harmony.
Seeing a dove indicates that you should keep your hopes high and not give up on something that you want to achieve. If you’ve been stressed or dealing with a difficult situation lately, a dove can mean that things will begin to resolve soon. Do what you can to restore balance and serenity in your life.
The dove is associated with many different religions and cultures throughout history. In Christianity, it represents the Holy Spirit and purity of heart. In Buddhism, it represents equanimity and serenity. In Hinduism, it represents wisdom, grace, and beauty. The Chinese believed the white doves were messengers between heaven and earth, while Native Americans saw them as messengers from God. Hearing or seeing a dove is sometimes an omen that you or someone close to you will be visited by an angel or spirit guide who will help them find their way back to God or their higher self. Doves can be a sign that your spirit guides or angels are nearby. For many, seeing or hearing a dove is frequently a message of loving support from the Spirit.
Doves are also known as the “morning” bird and have been seen as an omen of good luck, good fortune, and happiness for centuries around the world. If you see a white dove fly across your path or if you dream of seeing doves flying in groups, this signifies prosperity and harmony, especially within the family circle.
The dove is also a symbol of romantic love and devotion due to its association with the Greek goddess Aphrodite. If you have recently had a dove omen, it could be a sign that you will soon have love returned or find someone who can offer you peace in your life. Doves are also a symbol of fidelity, so if you see one, it can confirm that your lover is faithful to you.
Lizard:
Lizards are found all over the world and are believed to be one of the oldest species on Earth. The lizard is seen as a symbol of wisdom because it has been around since the time of dinosaurs – this ancient animal has survived many changes over the years and has seen many things come and go. They have been worshiped by many civilizations in the past, but now they are considered pests in some parts of the world.
Similar to the Snake and the Frog, Lizards are an omen of change. The shedding of their old skins represents rebirth and renewal, which can happen within us when we shed our former selves. Some lizards have the ability to grow their tails back after being completely severed. Seeing a lizard can indicate that you are going through a period of great inner and outer growth. You may have had to cut off certain things in your life recently or handle a lot of pain, and Lizard assures you that you are so strong and your life is changing for the better. Trust in the person you are becoming.
Most lizards are also known for their ability to change their skin color to blend into their surroundings which allows them to hide from predators and become invisible when approaching prey. They can lie in plain sight and blend into their surroundings very easily. Lizards represent camouflage and adaptability, which can help you blend into any situation or environment without being noticed by others.
Associated with the Sun, which is a source of light, warmth, and energy, the lizard is an omen of enlightenment, good fortune, and protection from forces that wish to do you harm. If you see a lizard while walking through your home or while outside in nature, it means that someone or something is protecting you from harm at that moment in time. Luck is on your side.
Sometimes the lizard comes as a warning that someone is hiding something, someone is not being honest with themselves or others, or someone is being devious. Lizards can be omens associated with deception and manipulation by others. If you have had a lizard animal omen then it could mean that someone close to you is trying to manipulate your emotions in order to get what they want out of life.
How to Interpret Animal Signs & Omens
It’s important to remember that not all animal sightings are noteworthy when interpreting an animal omen or sign. Research the symbolism and superstitions associated with the animal while interpreting its behavior, but keep in mind both the animal’s behavior and your own emotions at the moment. The way that each person interprets these indicators will vary considerably from one another. Also, keep in mind that dreams also frequently contain animal omens.
That’s all 11 common animal omens and their meanings! Which animal omen have you been seeing lately? How has it applied to your life? We’d love to hear in the comments below!
As always, remember these are just general interpretations – always listen to your intuition and pay attention to your environment, thoughts, and feelings when discerning the meaning behind your animal omens.
To learn more about the medicine and magic of animals, be sure to check out our guide to Spirit Animals to find out your spirit animal guide and what it means for you!
