It is commonly thought in most cultures that feathers are symbols of higher thought, spiritual progression. The line of thought here is that birds were considered divine creatures in primitive/ancient cultures because they are creatures of the sky (heaven) and therefore closer to God.
When you find feathers upon your path it could be taken to mean that you are on a higher spiritual path (whether you accept it or not), and it may be a sign of encouragement as you philosophically travel on this path.
Finding feathers on your path is also symbolic of having a lighter outlook on life or a particulary situation. When we see feathers in our midst it is considered a message that we need to lighten up, not take things too seriously, and try to find the joy in our situation.
Some common symbolic meaning of feathers are:
- Heightened awareness
- Light heartedness
- Enlightenment
- Prayer
- Divinity
- Progress
Dreaming of feathers in our midst is typically symbolic of wanting to achieve a higher goal, or overcome a challenge. It is also a reminder from our psyche that we are always connected to our higher source, and that our own divinity is undeniable.
I have devoted an entire web page to the meaning of feathers which expands on this subject. Here is the link:
www.whats-your-sign.com/symbol-meaning-of-feathers.html
Fantastic info-thanks so much
Thank you!
Iam of Cherokee-Chickasaw decent. I have a friend who is full-blod Crow. He told me of a deram he had about a bluejay flying in his kitchen window and landing on his head. The bird calmly allowed him to carry it in his hands to be released out the door. Upon re-entering the kitchen, a cardinal flew in the window and landed on his shoulder. I seemed to want to stay there and resisted somewhat to being released outside. At that point, he woke up. Can you help interpret this dream?
Thank you;
John
Hi John,
I’ve written a post on my thoughts about this dream here.
Thanks for sharing this dream – you will see in my post I was quite inspired by it.
Blessings to you & your friend,
A.
in 1977 i was on a trip in hagerman ,new mexico
I was on the seventh day of a fast when lots of little birds landed on my body as i lay on the ground resting. i had a dream after that and i could see old model cars and rooftops only.the little birds left feathers all around me.
Hi Ruben,
Another fascinating experience! Thanks for sharing.
I’ve written a post on my thoughts about your experience too – you can read it here if you like.
Love and brightest blessings to you,
A.
Hello,
Over the past two evenings I have had two dreams about finding feathers.
Night one.
I was walking in a forrest location when I became aware in my dream of my location. At the same point I looked down and noticed a very intricate and detailed feather of a bird I have never known. I quickly deducted that if I had not gained awareness I would have not seen the feather and then kept alert for the possibility of more.The dream is now very vivid because I am conscious. I find two more, both with colours and designs that could only belong to birds of tropical nature if of earth at all. They were unusual. Now I am at a clearing. I am observing a beautiful oversized butterfly with vibrant blue under the wings and the top side are again detailed…the body is particularly long. As it takes flight I point to it to show my friend sitting close by, I ask her to look yup to see it. At that point the butterfly folds its wings back forming an arrow like shape to its body and dives down pinning her in the top of her scull. She falls back to the grass, not unconscious but shocked…I gently try to remove the butterfly, but then tell her she must just relax and let the butterfly do its work, it will release her soon. Then I woke up.
Second night.
I am again walking in a park when I see a beautiful red bird sitting through the trees. I am admiring the beatiful feathers when I noticed the bird has left me one under where she is sitting. I am grateful and gently move to take it. Then I see a few more that look similar and walk over to the area to pick them up, amazed that there are so many. When I get close I see that they are red leaves but in amongst the leaves are other feathers, so I begin collecting them, some a bunched together like a section of a bird has been left, under feather, top feather and wing feather… At the end of collecting I sit down to look at them all. Only then do I see that the feathers that all match have beading on them and are tied. I believe that they are like a feather bouquet from a wedding and am surprised I did not see them before.
I then woke up.
Hi Katrinal,
Thank you for sharing such incredible dream visions with us/me.
These dreams are amazing in depth, texture, and insight.
Dreaming of feathers is an invitation to join ourselves with the highest mind – the highest purest thoughts available to us throught clarity and inspiration.
I love the last part where you received a “feather bouquet” from a wedding – perhaps this is symbolic of marrying spiritual mindedness with every day life…..a joining of all realities.
So often I hear of the conflict of separateness. You know, the illusion that human is separate from nature, or one reality is separate from another. Your dreams speak to me of the real truth in that we are all meshed in One.
This is why I thank you for sharing your dream, as it is an oracle – a reminder that our daily lives are embued with the wonder of life – we are not separate from the wonder – indeed, we encompass it.
Your dream butterflies are wonderful too – indicating a transition or evolution that synchronizes with our human abilities to be so much more than the banal basics we sometimes present.
I’ve a post on the symbolic meaning of dreaming of butterflies here.
Forests, walking on paths, and all your crystalized descriptions of nature are symbolic of a spiritual walk – a graceful evolution to higher presence – a path of exquisite growth.
Katrina, my deepest gratitude to you for expressing these beatitudes. Your dreams are profound for they remind us of our infinite potential – as well as our potential destiny as a race. Yes, profound indeed.
Peace & love on the path,
A.
I have been looking all morning for some insight into a pretty amazing dream i had last night. I was in a house and i looked out the window to see many many colorful birds all over my yard. i could see them upclose even though they were in the yard outside my window. i remember looking at one directly in the eye. its eye was very large and black surrounded my green feathers. I wanted to show my boyfriend and when he came to look the birs flew on top of the house but left hundreds of bright goldish yellow feathers all over the trees. We went outside to get a better look at the birds. i was then looking towards the house and it was covered in large multi colored beautiful birds. we were looking at them together and then i wanted to get closer. i kept looking back towards the house, but it would get farther away like i was zooming out on a camera lens. we walked together along a path and someone passed and made a comment about the cross i wear on my neck, something about needing a new one or mine being old. then a smaller bird with a red top body and pure white lower body attracted my attention. there was another small bird exactly like the red one only blue beside it. I followed the red bird back around the house. i was alone at this point and had to crawl over all these dirty obsticles and there was a really bad amonia stench. i followed the bird back towards the back of the house where the dream origionally stared and when i looked closer at it it was very dirty covered in mud.
the dream was so vivid i can still see almost every detail and even remember the smell.
the morning prior to this dream my mother had a vision on me while praying that i was in southern france in a field of yellow flowers yearing a yhite dress, surrounded by a half moon of girls and young women with my hannds stretched towards heaven. i was ministering to them.
yellow keeps apearing to me
i believe that god is tyring to tell me something. i live my life faithfully believing that god has a plan for my life. and right now i have been faced with some troubles that make me question my direction. i know this means something i am just looking for a little insight.
thanks,
with prayers
kim
Hi Kim,
Thanks for sharing this remarkable dream with us/me.
Check your email – I’ve responded to you directly with some interpretive thoughts.
Brightest blessings,
A.
My father died quite unexpectedly Nov. 29, 2007. He had had successful surgery and the day he was supposed to come home something went horribly wrong and he, in essence, died then but was kept on machines for 3 days. Needless to say although I am a grown 51 year old woman, as an only child and a confessed daddy’s girl I was totally devastated.
I have tried to keep my mother and my son together as now it falls to me to try to honor my dad while holding together what is left of our tiny family that once was 4 but is now 3. I have tried to tell everyone that some day we will have joy again. That we have to be strong.
One thing I have clearly noticed since shortly after my dad died and even now – I kept finding feathers everywhere. Not just once or twice…but numerous times and very obvious. I have seen them on my floor, on the steet, in the mall, floating through the air. I kept telling myself I needed to see what this meant because it is quite obviously some kind of sign I need to pay attention too since it happens so much.
Today I finally remembered to look it up and I found YOU! Thank you for showing me that my dad is telling me to lighten up and find the joy!! I must be doing something right and need to follow this path.
Blessings to you and thank you!
Cindy
Hi Cindy,
My heart is with yours as you make your way through this transition…..and it is very much a transition.
Those whom we love leave beautiful patterns upon us – we are all like patchworks and your father is an intricate embroidery that serves as a foundation of your wholeness.
When we share so much connection and history with those we love – only to have their physical presence removed from us (in your case, quite suddenly & unexpectedly) – it takes our energy time to adjust and transition.
I look to nature for advice – and upon consulting, we can see that nature behaves as if NOTHING has passed.
Indeed, when an animal or plant has moved from (what we identify as) physical life to death, its surrounding energy patterns swallow its essence and behaves as if the original life is still present. And yet, the lifeform’s energy pattern is embraced and transformed.
You know that your father is with you – I can feel that you know this, just as certainly as you know the sun will rise in the morning.
Now may I also ecourage you to know that he is in EVERYTHING. That his energy infuses all things. Knowing this gives you an opportunity for joy in every moment of your life.
My light is with you,
A.
This page is a fascinating find for me. I’m designing a poster for an art therapy conference, and have an idea of using feather as a metaphor for healing and stuff… So this morning I started goggleing on the internet; eventually I got to your site. Very inspiring! Thank you!
Hi Kin-lam,
Thanks for your comment. Your art is amazing by the way – I took a look at your website.
Namaste,
A.
Hi Namaste,
I’m just think u may be interested in the end result of the poster. It’s the 5th image from the left on my website. Thank you again!
Hi Kin-lam,
Your creative manifestation of this concept is outstanding. Thank you for sharing it, and for your sharing your gifts to the world.
Everybody should see this and Kin-lam’s other work here on this website – just click here.
I’ll be checking your site often to see the other bars filled with your visions.
Namaste,
A.
I AM ALWAYS GIVEN FEATHERS IN STRANGE LOCATIONS,ONCE IN THE COURTHOUSE IN A ROOM, I WAS THE FIRST TO ENTER. PASSING JUST CUT LAWN AND RETURNING TO FIND TWO FEATERS SIDE BY SIDE.
Hi Casey,
Feathers given in such a way are gifts from your own soul, gifts of nature bounty, signs of wonder and indications lofty dreams settling to earth.
You are the gift, and your perception is immense.
Namaste & blessings to you,
A.
Feathers spark curiosity about their origins. Do they come from an angel? an earthly species? synthetic material? or, do we imagine them and simply have them appear exactly where we need them? If an invisible feather tickles your nose, you may not yet have laughed enough today.
I have been ‘following’ feathers for several years. Whenever I come across one on my path, I feel blessed — I guess that’s the best way to describe it. I am an artist who paints the landscape around me. Feathers often appear near spots I feel a connection to — and are reminders of those places for me when I attempt to put those memories and feelings on canvas.
Whenever I find one I feel a sense of validation for what I’m doing — a secret pat on the back.
Hi Kin-Lam,
The middle of last year I was sitting in a park with my friend and i noticed a crow. Usually they don’t get as close as this one was – and getting closer still. So i turned and faced him, and waited. I made eye contact and kept on waiting. After a minute, he walked closer until he was about a metre away from me and turned his beak into his tail. He pulled out one of his long tail feathers and placed it on the ground then walked backwards and waited. I stood and picked up the feather knowing he had just given it to me. Once I picked up the feather he flew away. What do I need to know – what was Crow trying to tell me?
Peace,
Asli
Loved the Info I found here. I find feathers on my walks almost daily. Recently I found a large crow feather, dove and robin feather. The meaning and significance is profound, allowing me personally to realize my greater connection to the whole and perhaps more importantly the support that is available through the many wonderful realms that are always there to guide, inspire and teach us.
I am a teacher of energy medicine, as well as a spiritual counselor…with the guidance and support of Great Spirit, the angelic realm, the goddess realm, the animal kingdom and more…what could be better
love and light
M
Yesterday while walking I saw a white feather with a gray tip stuck straight up and down in the ground. It was so unusual that I walked by that spot again about 15 minutes later and it was still there. Today I found several small white feathers in front of my front door when I came home. I tried to sweep them up, but they kept sticking the broom. I had a very hard time moving them. Some are still left. Any ideas of meaning?
my name is jim im 48 years old my mother was killed by her uncle 5 years ago feb 11 which is my birthday after mom was killed i started finding feathers in the stranges places iwill find them just about every time when im sad or thinking about mom i know this is my mom sending them to me leting me know that every thing is ok and that iwill see her again someday so when i find a feather i say thanks mom
Hi Jim,
Thanks for sharing.
Hi, my name is Ginger & i am a Spiritualist. I woke up this morning with a specific question in my mind & got online to see if i could find answers, & it led me here by no coincidence, clearly.
I am learning to fine tune several gifts i have had since as far back as i can remember, and am having the most incredible time of my life…Unfolding & evolving….learning the meanings behind things i have long wondered about & having them validated. It is the best feeling. Now to my question..:
I spoke with two psychic/ mediums who both saw a Native American male spirit with me. One said that when my face lights up he beams proudly. Another said she sees him wearing 3 feathers; 2 up & 1 down. i was wondering what that means? I wonder if he is my spirit guide?.. I also was curious about the link to owls. I saw one last month around 10pm outside my grocery store. I went up to the light post to get a better look since i’ve never seen 1 before, and we locked eyes for what seemed like an unreal amount of time. I always felt there was a reason for it. I read what you had written about owls & i was hooked on this site from then on. I do have a varying degree of psychic/ medium/intuitive abilities & i have a feeling that it ties in there somewhere. I’ve been a Spiritualist for almost a year, because i found an incredible place that validated everything i felt i always known, so i am still new to this all.
I feel like i have so much to piece together! Maybe you can help?
Thanks!
mine is more of a question, native american woman wearing a feather upside down on the left or right side of head means what, compare to up-straight on same side of head.
Hi Pete, I invite you to consider this perspective:
As an upright feather would symbolize:
~Raising vibrations
~Reaching for higher energetic destinations
~Pointing our focus to dreams, aspiration and inspirational matters
A down-pointing feather has more of an anchoring symbolism such as:
~Stabilizing vibration
~Pulling our energy back within our bodies for a time of regulation, stabilization and re-ordering
~Pointing our focus on being grounded
~Getting back to the basics.
~Rooting the self in foundational concepts that are healing and beneficial to the Whole
I’m pleased you asked this very valid question about left-side, right-side symbolic significance.
Traditional esotericism indicates the left side deals with the unconscious, and the right side deals with the conscious. To put this in black & white terms, we can look to the concept of Yin and Yang.
Our right side is a Yang principle, and the left corresponds with Yin. I’ve got a little chart on this page that cites a few associations with each aspect of Yin/Yang.
These are just some thoughts. I would encourage you to explore these and other impulses you have about your experience with a goal to obtain your own personal interpretation.
Hello
Thank you for your website. I have been receiving feathers for about ten years now – even though I naturally suspected their meaning, I never thought there was a whole website dedicated to this subject and much to my delight other people who often experience the same experiences. I have had a dream of white feather floating up from the ground into my hand accompanied by a voice telling me that God would give a child and it would be his will. This dream is yet to manifest itself in my life but I have always felt extremely blessed to have these signs of encouragement in my life. Ten years ago when they first began I got a tattoo of a feather amongst wind in the middle of the back on my spine, I was amazed to find on your site that feathers are related to the God of Thunder – and the power of wind.
Thank you again for your beautiful site,
Tasha
Hi Tasha,
Thanks for your kind words about my website. It takes a special person who can allow such wonderful interpretations and divine visions/dreams to flow. Thanks for sharing your unique perspective here, and for being you.
Namaste.
If i may ask again, i was wondering about the meaning behind the native american man the mediums saw with me, wearing two feathers up & one down? I am reading what you wrote to Pete & thinking maybe that applies?
Also the owl incident..i can’t shake the memory or the feeling that it meant something.
I love learning more & taking in anything you may have to offer.
I’m new here, so if i am overlooking some sort of protocol, i apologize.
Hi Ginger,
No protocol to overlook. I tend to comments as time and inspiration allow.
Yes, I believe some elements in my repsonse to Peter is also speaking to your experience. This site is very communal. Therefore, much of the same intent and energy is shared here.
I’m glad you’ve discovered a foundational home in Spiritualism. This is a fabulous structure to frame-work a lot of your spritual growth and understanding.
Spiritualist have paved a long path to modern-day acknowledgment of unseen phenomenon. Indeed, the Fox sisters have come a long way.
Rest assured, by your own placement and by simply being who you are – You are in good hands.
I suppose I was hesitant in responding to your blog comment because I don’t feel I’m the one to validate your question.
Have you thought about returning to your medium/psychic and asking him/her whether or not the Native American figure is your spirit guide?
Do you meditate? Or at least spend a purposeful span of time getting in touch with the energetic side of yourself?
When I feel I have so much to piece together it’s because I have not caught up on my expansive understanding. It means I need to catch up on my own evolution rather than getting caught up in it. Perhaps it is the same with you?
Energetically, the Owl confirms this. Owls are serious present-tense, no-frills, intense, self-awareness-advocators.
When the Owl comes into our awareness in conjunction with other signs or phenomenon, it is a symbolic partnership and the Owl’s symbolic weight should be counted heavily in our interpretations of surrounding symbols/signs.
How do we do this? How do we effectively interpret?
We all do it differently. Here are a few thoughts:
~Temet nosce. Know Thyself.
~Formulate a personal codex or inner communication allowing you to easily identify phenomenon you’re tapping into. I’ve mentioned this here.
~Spend time in meditation, contemplation, rumination, alert dreaming…whatever label it falls under, time spent in suspended clarity rings brilliance into our experience.
It’s good that you “can’t shake the memory or feeling that it meant something.” It does mean something.
Be easy with yourself. Know that the answers will roll to you like waves of calm assurance.
You would not have the sensation of perplexity if you did not also possess the solution.
Namaste.
hi, it is not about feathers exactly, yet when my sister died two years ago a red robin tryed violantly to enter the house. can anyone explain this to me?
Perhaps this post about an interpretation of red robins around the house might help with your own interpretation.
I thank you so much for your response!
Everything you mentioned in regards to me feels spot on.
I am currently unraveling so much about myself… My teachers are some of the greatest certified psychic mediums in California, and for them to tell me that i have so many types of abilities, i feel somewhat overwhelmed. But exited! I have always known I had psychic & mediumistic abilities, have seen & felt spirits, experienced clairaudience..all to a small degree. I want to develop these gifts as a way to help other people who have struggled with them since childhood, like i did. I don’t like to see anyone feel like an outcast, and i remember how people treated me when i told them what was happening with me. My own mother, -who has experienced plenty of of phenomena herself- made me feel as if i was making it all up. I surpressed it for years and when odd things began happening in my home last year, i went looking for outside help. I found a spiritualist church, and thats where it all began for me. This has been an incredible journey. My teacher gave me her watch at lunch 2 days ago & asked me what i recieved, and i was able to specifically nail several key things about her life! I’ve never felt more confident or invigorated, being around so many others like myself. They inspire me. When i saw that owl, i knew it had a meaning, a message for me. You’re right, it (and the Indian) were for me to decipher. I believe the indian is a spirit guide of mine. When i try to meditate ( i have three boys ages 6, 3, and 2, so meditation is difficult at home) it feels natural for me to picture him as i ask for help with guidance through the day.
I am learning everyday to quiet my mind & tune into my own energy. I have learned how to heal as well!
It has been difficult to stay at that level, i fluctuate so much. I am patient though.
I realize that I can tune into other’s energy around me, and even my pets. With the owl, it felt as if we felt eachother’s. I’ve never felt that a creature was reading ME before.
I begin my first class tonight in regards to honing in on my abilities & strengthening them. When i step foot into the church & we get into discussion, i start feeling electric…literally like a thousand bees are inside my body buzzing away. I have only felt that 1 other time, as i was visiting the Alamo in San Antonio Texas, & walking down the sidewalk, touching the walls there.. In fact, all of San Antonio felt electric to me. I am trying to find out what that feeling is, just to have a name for it. Maybe i’ll address that tonight.
My goodness, i have rambled on too long. I’m just so exited…:)
Again, thank you so much for your response.
I have it bookmarked ..i have a feeling i will need to re-read it now and again.
Have a beautiful day.
Hi Ginger,
Sounds like you’re going through an amazing time. Breakthroughs & epiphanies abound. That’s fantastic. I’m glad this site can serve as a resource as you make your way on the Path.
Brightest tidings to you!
I had a dream about getting one feather (crow’s feather I think) tattoed on me by a woman (my ex girlfriend). I can’t figure out the meaning. Any guesses?
Hi could I speak to you in priviate I have a very serious question to ask
Blessing and light
Earth Eagle
Earth Eagle, I’ve sent you an email directly.
This is true ,last night i could,nt sleep.so about 4 am i was looking out of my open window and listening to the dawn chorus,(bliss).anyway i heard the birds singing,twittering and i heard one saying what sounded like dirty birdie,,means nothing to you right but this is what i used to say to my bird.not long after i fell asleep when i woke up in the morning there was a yellow feather off my bird on the floor near the window,.nothing strange about that right?but,my bird as been dead now for 4 years.wooow can,t get over it .just thought i would share this with you
My niece died several years ago in a car accident. She was 25. After the services, the family was sitting in the back yard reminising. We were talking about her & her brothers favorite movie…. Forrest Gump. As we talked…. a white feather slowly drifted down & landed on his left shoulder. It was one of the most incredible feelings. The was 6-8 witnesses He has made a shadow box of memories surrounding that feather. To this day, I will find feathers throughout my house, usually when I’m down or missing her. Some of them seem to be hanging in mid air. I save all of them.
I had a dream which was pretty short and simple. It was of a small red bird that landed on my shoulder and just sat there like he wanted to be my friend. The bird was small and exotic looking, about the size of a sparrow but more refined and streamlined, with a long fine tail. Was not a vibrant red in color, sort of muted red… but still beautiful nonetheless. I had a feeling of calmless and friendship/love as it looked at me. I don’t remember anything else about this dream before I woke up. What does this dream signify?
Hello,
Thank you so much for your wonderful site. I’ve read through the comments and noticed there are quite a few regarding feathers. My 29year old daughter was killed instantly in a car accident in March. I too have been finding feathers in strange places I take comfort in the thought that she is
wanting us to carry on with our lives. It usually happens just when i’ve been thinking of her. Her 4 year old daughter also finds them in odd places and asks me to keep them safe for her. I pray that i keep on finding them!
HI there
I wondered if you could help, I had a terrible dream last night, one that i’m still thinking about as its shaken me so much.
In my dream I woke up in my flat to see that everything had changed, there were different people living in my flat and when I opened the door to my spare room I found it was occupied by three children,there were elders who told me that this is now my new flat and that I must accept it. The dream was so real that I couldn’t work out whether I was dreaming of whether this was actually happening. When I finally woke up I was so shaken and didn’t want to go back to sleep in case I didn’t wake up and the dream ended up being my reality. Really scary, any thoughts would be hugely appreciated. Many thanks A
Hi this is true i vaccumed my flat right the way through yesterday evening, i had all patio doors locked and the curtains closed and all the doors shut in my flat after i finished. I have nothin that contains feathers in the house it was around 1am that i decided to go to bed when i opened my bedroom door and turned the light on there was a white fether about 3inches long and about 1 1/2 inhes wide in the middle of my bedroom floor there is no explanation on how it could of got there as i was the only person in the flat and all the doors and windows was locked can u try to help me get my head around this.
my husband and I were looking to get some tatoos of feathers. Many years ago i heard that the notches made in the feathers (by natives) represented something; i.e. one notch ment warrior. However, that is the only one i remember. I have no idea where i seen it, and it would be very helpful to us if you had an idea where to find it. I’ve searched the web and came across you. Please help.
Gratefully,
~Becky
Hi,
Yesterday while mowing my yard, in my path I came across what appears to be an eagle feather. I’m unsure of the meaning of this, but I know is does hold a powerful meaning. My fiance is part Indian, we both agree we met with the help of God and feel we are soulmates. Both of us are intune with the spiritual world and very “spiritually” connected with one another. He is currently deployed, we talk everyday. On Saturday I had to fly my youngest son home to spend the summer with his father and so yesterday was feeling very alone, which is when I found the feather. What is it’s possible meaning?
Thank you,
Kitty