There are a number of powerful spiritual meanings associated with owls hooting. When this fascinating sound comes from such wise and mysterious birds, it’s definitely a message you’ll want to pay attention to.
This guide will go over what it means when you hear an owl (both during the day and at night), and how you can understand the message they’re sending.
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What Does It Mean When You Hear An Owl?
Owls are the epitome of stealth. They have to be — these birds of prey need to be able to strike fast and hard without being detected. As a result, their natural camouflage hides them in their surroundings, and they move with almost perfect silence.
Oftentimes, the only way you can tell that there’s an owl around is by their haunting calls.
These sleek predators can choose to be quiet and undetected, so the hoot of an owl isn’t something most people hear every day. Here are some of the spiritual meanings associated with this iconic sound.
1. You’re Protected
Owls are associated with the night, but it’s certainly possible to hear them when it’s light out. Hearing an owl during the day often means there’s love and protection surrounding you.
Birds are regarded as spiritual messengers. Some, like owls, ravens, and crows, are said to fly between worlds. Hearing an owl hoot during the day may be a message to you from your ancestors, spirit guides, and guardian angels. In this context, it’s a sign that you are supported, loved, and protected in this world and the next.
Owls are also very territorial. They protect what’s theirs. In some cultures, they’re considered guardians against negative energy or entities. If you can hear an owl hooting nearby, you’re in their territory and likely under this spiritual protection.
When you hear this, take a second to give thanks. Express whatever feelings of gratitude you have for the spirits around you. If you’re under a lot of stress, you can even take this time to unburden yourself. Recognize that you have invisible entities around you who care.
This can also be a good opportunity to think of ways to pay this support forward. What can you do to help the people around you feel more appreciated and cared for?
2. Don’t Be Afraid To Start Anew
Owls represent death and, by association, rebirth. To the ancient Egyptians, an owl represented the souls of the departed going to the afterlife. The spiritual meaning of an owl hooting can be an indication that it’s time to release the old and look forward to the new.
Are you in a situation that you think may be bad for you, but don’t know if you can let it go yet? It’s time. Sometimes, the longer you hold on, the worse the outcome. Be honest with yourself about that which no longer serves you.
If you’ve been having a hard time, or just feel like life’s a bit of a slog lately, then the meaning of an owl’s hoot can be an encouraging omen. It’s never too late to start anew again. You can always turn things around. It’s time to write a new chapter of your story.
Be aware that this isn’t always a simple or pleasant process. Owls are also associated with independence and self-reliance, and you may need to tap into that if you’re going to make it through this experience. Consider the hoot of the owl a sign that it’s time to start gathering resources to help you start over.
3. Do The Work To Improve Your Life
The spiritual meaning of an owl hooting can represent better days ahead. They typically show up at night, so they’re regarded as symbols of darkness and mystery. Hearing an owl shortly before dawn is a sign that the dark times will end soon, and better times are coming.
It’s not a good idea to rely solely on omens and spiritual signs, though. Like any form of divination, they can only give you a specific snapshot of your current circumstances. If you sit back and wait for things to improve for you with no effort on your part, you’re likely to be disappointed.
Owls also represent wisdom, including the wisdom to reflect, be honest with yourself, and do the necessary work to improve your circumstances. The meaning of an owl’s hoot isn’t just an omen of upcoming change, it’s an urging to encourage you to work on yourself. Embrace your inner wisdom, tap into your innate drive to self-improve, and almost nothing can stop you.
4. Freedom
As solitary creatures, owls are free to do what they please. They come together to mate and form family groups, but they’re otherwise left to their own devices. As creatures of the air, they’re also associated with swift movement and intellect.
If you hear an owl hooting, it could mean that it’s time to embrace your freedom. Have you been leaning on others more than you’d like? Now could be a good opportunity to become more self-reliant. This doesn’t just give you more freedom, it also puts you in a better position to help others in the future.
You may also receive this message if you’re caught up in a toxic relationship or environment. Not all toxic relationships are with other people, either — overconsumption and materialism are both examples of toxic relationships with things. It’s time to work on freeing yourself from them so they can no longer hold you back.
If you think the most applicable spiritual meaning of an owl hooting is related to independence, ask yourself these questions: What do you feel dependent on? What do you feel is truly important in your life? What dependency causes feelings of guilt, shape, or regret for you?
5. Seek Wisdom
Owls are widely regarded as symbols of wisdom. You can see it in everything from children’s cartoons to candy commercials, all the way to ancient iconography. Athena, the Greek Goddess of wisdom, handcrafts, and strategy, has an owl as her animal.
If you’re at a crossroads in your life right now, hearing an owl hoot may mean you need to seek counsel from a wise person in your life. If you’ve recently made a decision, then the owl’s call could be telling you that you’re on a wise path. If you’re feeling over your head, it might not be a bad idea to pause, take a minute, and do a little thinking before you proceed.
On the other hand, if the owl’s hooting doesn’t seem to be connected to anything, it might be a good time to take stock of where you are in life right now. Are there places where you feel you’ve been “flying blind?” Is there something weighing on your mind that could benefit from someone else’s wisdom?
6. Love Is Coming
As mentioned above, owls are solitary. They stay in their territories, hunt, and live their lives apart from each other. The only time they come together is to make a family.
If you hear an owl hooting at night, its spiritual meaning could be serving as a sign of love. Male owls create a safe roosting spot and then call out to attract females to them. The females will arrive, inspect the nests and their prospective mates, and decide whether or not they’ll stay. Barn owls, in particular, are known for their romantic and affectionate behavior with each other.
An owl’s call may be a sign that love is on the horizon. In this situation, context is important. Consider what other signs you see, hear, or even smell immediately before and after hearing the owl, and recall what you were thinking about. These can indicate whether the sound was a love omen, or something else.
Hearing an owl’s hoot when you’re thinking of a potential partner can be a love omen. The same is true if you hear it in conjunction with signs like hearts, roses, or other romantic imagery, as well as sweet smells or mysterious music.
7. Death
As nocturnal birds of prey, owls are often associated with death. Even horror movies lean into this trope by using the hoots of owls to create a tense, spooky atmosphere. And the reality is that if you hear an owl hooting at night, it may be an omen of death.
This is sometimes a negative omen — if someone you know is sick or injured, then the owl’s hoot could be connected to this. If someone you know has recently died, then the owl may be a sign that their spirit is still near.
But not all death is a bad thing, though, nor should it be taken literally. In divination, symbols of death rarely represent the actual demise of a person — they’re usually interpreted as a sign of a major upcoming change. The meaning of an owl hooting at night could be an omen of a metaphorical death. You may be about to experience a big shift or upheaval in your life soon.
Don’t be scared by the sound of an owl. While they can sometimes deliver a negative message, that’s not always the case — and it’s up to you to take the information they bring you and act on it. Owls don’t cause death or misfortune; they just warn us about it. Treat it as an opportunity to prepare yourself for whatever’s ahead of you.
The Meaning Of An Owl Hooting Outside Your Window
Hearing an owl in the woods is one thing — but what if the owl is hooting outside your window? Whenever these birds go through the effort of showing up to your house, you know the message is important. Don’t ignore it or dismiss it as a coincidence!
An owl hooting outside of your window typically means big news is coming soon. This could be something life-changing for you.
In some cultures, an owl hooting outside your window heralds the birth of a healthy daughter.
The Spiritual Meaning Of A Certain Number Of Hoots
Hearing an owl hoot is just the beginning. The context matters, and so does the number of hoots. This can have a numerological significance that will give you more information about the message and core spiritual meaning.
Hearing An Owl Hoot One Time
An owl hooting one time is often considered a bad sign. Owls are defensive, and generally call out more than once if they’re trying to find a mate. A single hoot can represent an owl that’s being driven from its territory, which is not a good omen. In numerology, one is the number of independence and new starts. You may be entering a difficult period that will require you to rely on yourself.
Hearing An Owl Hoot Two Times
An owl that hoots two times can indicate a successful enterprise. This is especially true if you’re working on a project with someone else, since the number two represents balance and partnership in numerology.
Hearing An Owl Hoot Three Times
In some cultures, an owl hooting three times means a woman will marry into your family. Numerologically, three represents confidence, optimism, and playfulness. Even if you’re not anticipating an upcoming wedding, it’s generally a good omen.
Hearing An Owl Hoot Four Times
In India, an owl hooting four times is a warning of upheaval and disturbance. In Chinese, the word for “four” sounds like the word for “death.” Numerologically, four represents stability and reliability. Hearing four owl calls is an omen that your stability is about to be disrupted.
Hearing An Owl Hoot Five Times
The sound of an owl hooting five times is often associated with taking a trip. In numerology, five is the number of novelty and adventure. Expect lots of new sights and experiences soon.
Hearing An Owl Hoot Six Times
Hearing six owl hoots can mean that you’ll soon have guests. Numerologically, the number six is the number of the heart, love, and nurturing. Prepare to host friends or loved ones.
Hearing An Owl Hoot Seven Times
The spiritual meaning of an owl hooting seven times is generally considered to be a negative omen. This can be a warning of mental anguish. The number seven often represents introspection and the spirit. You may be about to enter a period of intense self-reflection. It’ll be a learning experience, but you probably won’t enjoy it much.
Hearing An Owl Hoot Eight Times
An owl hooting eight times is an omen of death. While this is generally considered negative, that isn’t always the case. This is sometimes a metaphorical death, not a literal one.
In numerology, the number 8 emphasizes career, material comfort, and success. It may be time to detach from a material existence and explore a more spiritual one.
Hearing An Owl Hoot Nine Times
The meaning of an owl hooting nine times is often associated with concepts of good luck. An owl who hoots nine times is secure, safe, and happy. They may even be looking for a mate. Also, the number nine represents universal love and transformation.
What It Means In Different Cultures & Religions
Each culture and religion has its own interpretation for what it means when you hear an owl hoot. To some, these birds represent magic, mystery, and wisdom. To others, this call is tied to misfortune and death.
Here are some spiritual meanings drawn from cultures and faiths around the world:
Ancient Greece
Athena, the Goddess of wisdom, military strategy, and crafts like weaving, was represented by the owl. She’s said to have been named for the city of Athens, which was home to a species of small owls.
In general, hearing owls hooting was considered signs of good fortune.
North America
Indigenous American people vary widely in their beliefs.
To the Cherokee, owl calls are associated with witches and misfortune. Similarly, the Diné people consider owls omens of bad news or death.
On the other hand, the Oglala people consider this sound to be a symbol of hope, wisdom, and power.
Ireland
To the Irish, hearing owls hooting represents wisdom, magic, and the ability to see that which is invisible to others. Brighid, the Goddess of poetry, smithcraft, fire, and wisdom, is also associated with these birds.
All of this aside, owls and their iconic sounds weren’t always viewed in the most positive light. Barn owls are called “scréachóg reilige,” which literally translates to “graveyard shrieker.”
Egypt
In hieroglyphics, the owl symbol represents the sound of the letter “M.”
These birds were associated with death as the protectors and guides of the deceased. Interestingly, owls received a unique treatment in Egyptian art — where other animals were shown in profile, owls were always shown facing forward.
Christianity
In the Christian Bible, the spiritual meaning of owls hooting tends to symbolize loneliness and ruin.
As Jeremiah 50:39 states, “Soon Babylon will be inhabited by desert animals and hyenas. It will be a home for owls. Never again will people live there; it will lie desolate forever.” Some translations use “ostrich” instead of “owl,” while still others simply use the phrase “unclean birds.”
Hinduism
The meaning of owls hooting is associated with Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and good luck. They, and their calls, are considered signs of wealth, abundance, and good fortune.
Closing Thoughts
Now that you know what it means when you hear an owl, it’s time to do a little self-reflection and think about how it applies to you. By considering your life and the situation where you heard the owl hoot, the answer will present itself.
We’d love to hear from you if you have any questions or stories about how these birds delivered a powerful message to you in the past. Just reach out!
