Barred Owl
Meaning & Symbolism
The Barred Owl, with its distinct call and striking barred feather patterns, symbolizes curiosity, vigilance, and protection. Known for the unmistakable “who cooks for you?” call, the Barred Owl reminds us to stay curious and use our voice to seek answers. This sense of curiosity invites us to explore the world around us, ask the questions that matter, and listen carefully for the wisdom in what we hear. Just as the Barred Owl uses its keen senses to navigate the night, we, too, can embrace our innate curiosity as a tool for learning and growth, allowing us to explore new ideas and paths in life.
Vigilance is a key trait of the Barred Owl, which is always alert to its surroundings. This Owl is a master of observation, watching for even the smallest movement in the forest as it silently hunts. As humans, we can learn from the Barred Owl’s vigilance by staying aware of the things that matter most in our lives. Whether it’s paying attention to our emotional well-being or keeping watch over our loved ones, practicing vigilance helps us stay grounded and prepared for life’s challenges. By cultivating this attentiveness, we protect ourselves from potential threats and ensure that we are able to act when needed.
The protective symbolism of the Barred Owl is also reflected in its name, which comes from the bar-like patterns on its feathers. These markings are not a sign of limitation, but rather a strong representation of boundaries. Barred Owls know how to establish and enforce their personal boundaries, showing self-respect and demanding the same from others. By radiating this self-assurance, we, too, can protect our energy and our well-being by setting clear boundaries. It’s a reminder that protection is not about isolation, but about knowing what we need to feel safe and secure, and having the courage to defend those needs.
In many cultures, Owls, including the Barred Owl, are seen as spiritual guides, especially when it comes to death and the afterlife. They are believed to carry the souls of loved ones to the other side, offering a protective and gentle passage. This symbolism invites us to reflect on how we can be guides for others in our own lives, providing comfort and protection to those who need it, especially in times of grief or transition. Just as the Barred Owl offers protection and guidance in the night, we can be vigilant caretakers for those we love, watching over them and helping them navigate life’s darker moments.
Different Owls offer a variety of other symbolism:
- Barn Owl: Symbolism: stealth, mystery, and silent guidance. The Barn Owl’s nearly soundless flight teaches us to navigate life’s challenges with discretion and to trust unseen paths.
- Great Horned Owl: Symbolism: strength, adaptability, and fierce determination. As a powerful predator with keen hunting skills, the Great Horned Owl teaches us to face challenges head-on, using all our available resources.
- Pygmy-Owl: Symbolism: resilience, courage, and resourcefulness. Small but bold, the Pygmy-Owl embodies the power of standing tall despite your size, using quick thinking to overcome obstacles.
- Screech Owl: Symbolism: transformation, listening, and inner awareness. With their ability to blend into their environment, Screech Owls encourage us to listen more deeply to the subtle shifts around us and embrace personal change.
- Snowy Owl: Symbolism: clarity, focus, and intuition. The Snowy Owl, with its pristine white feathers, symbolizes seeing through the fog of life’s distractions and trusting in your inner wisdom to guide you.
- Tawny Owl: Symbolism: perspective, insight, and understanding. With its wide range of vocalizations and keen night vision, the Tawny Owl reminds us to broaden our view, see situations from different angles, and trust the wisdom gained from diverse experiences.
-Tanya Casteel ©Cosmic Animals
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I want to hear about your Owl experiences. What stories or dreams have you had? Please share and join in the conversation below!
Last night, while driving home, a barred owl swooped down out of nowhere, and landed right in front of my car. if I hit my brakes, I would have hit him. Instead I swerved bately missing him. ITjrough the whole incident he didnt move. We had strong eye contact, I think the whole time.
Tonight while having a late dinner, I heard a barred owl calling from right outside my back window. It was very close . He/she gave 4 hoo-wah calls and then stopped. At first I was very scared because I never heard that sound before…I finally found it on YouTube and definitely can say it was a barred owl. I’m wondering if the visit holds meaning to what I had been thinking at that very moment or for something else.
It could potentially hold meaning for what you were thinking about. ‘4 hoots’ is what stood out to me in your story. The number for has a symbolism of “completion”.
Can I first say, I love love love your art, it speaks to me and I can tell you capture soul like very rare artists can…
Anyways, I found your page after looking up barred owls spiritual meaning.
Yesterday (the night after the crazy blue moon, I’m really really affected by fill and new moons,) I was playing in the river in my backyard with my 4 kids and husband for a lol while. When I started walking back with my littlest on my back an owl was hooting at me from just 10 feet away in a tree.
I stopped and made eye contact with it while it rolled off what seemed like a list of things to do. I always feel like I’m on the razor edge of completely understanding what my birds messages are, like it’s on the tip of my tongue and I just need to hear 1 thing to put it all together, hence why I’m asking you cause I respect your response. Yet, everytime i sit and silently wait for the understanding it seems to unsettle whatever creature I am in contact with, and they withdraw but always stay within range but at greater distance as I ” lean in” figuratively.. It’s a source of frustration as my need to know is very strong.
The owl had been trying to get my attention since I’ve moved here in Atlanta 3 weeks ago.
Hooting and sounding like a chattering monkey right outside my window, which I didn’t know was the owl until he confronted me and commanded my attention
Now having this owl in front of me he was going through all the sounds he had been making that had been a mystery for past 3 weeks..
I listened intently and holding eyes with him was exhilarating and made my energy buzz.. which was a relief because I have been fighting back exhaustion and morning sickness (I know the layers keep peeling off this onion lol)
I have not heard or seen him since (2 days)
I just wanted to share with likeminded people and get their responses cause truth rings like a bell to me no matter what the source.
Blessings. NataYAH Blue
Thank you for the compliments. I too had an intense blue moon experience (but with serpent). I know all about that energy buzz feeling – you’re definitely connecting with them. The next time you are trying to hear or understand a message, send your attention down to your heart. Let your heart FEEL what intuitive feelings/knowings come up? Trust them right away without doubting. As soon as you start analyzing you are in your head again. Whenever an animal communicates with me they usually communicate in symbols or feelings or simple knowings/words. I’m not always sure what the meaning is right away. Sometimes I have to go about my day/week and I’ll make the connection in a surprising way. Be patient with yourself. Thanks for sharing
This afternoon a barred owl ran into my window a couple hours before sundown. I wasn’t sure what kind of bird it was at first and it lay unmoving for about 10 minutes before jumping up and staring directly in my eyes before flying off. I have never seen or heard another owl where I live and am curious as to the meaning of this. When the bird struck the window it startled me but I didn’t realize it was probably a bird until a few minutes later. Between that and the way the owl looked at me, I felt as though it was telling me “pay attention” but I have no clue what to pay attention to. Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated.
“Pay attention” feels very accurate for this encounter. Owl is asking you to be more fully present in each moment so something doesn’t knock you down and take you by surprise (like the car did to the owl). It’s also saying that even if you do get knocked down that you won’t stay down for long. You’re strong and can fly off again regardless of your challenges.
I went out on the porch this morning at 12:45 because I couldn’t sleep. There was a barred owl perched on the roof of the porch across from me. It did not move, I turned on the outside light to see it better….it did not move….just stared at me. I shut off the light because I felt it was disrespectful. I just stood and admired it….looking into it’s dark eyes. I wished it well and thanked it for visiting; then went back inside. I looked out the window about 20 minutes later…but it was gone. I know the owl came to me for a very specific reason and I am grateful….I will listen to my intuition <3
Lovely story. Thanks for sharing. I love how you turned the light off for the owl. So thoughtful and so much gratitude in your encounter.
I have had some strange things going on this last week and when I try to explain my thoughts and feelings, my husband just laughs so I came across your postings and I am so thankful. For the last year and a half we have had 2 owls that stay in between our house and our neighbor across the streets house. We always would hear them at night occasionally. Some months would go by without noise. I’ve seen them at night only a handful of times. Within this year I have been diagnosed with an immune deficiency, asthma and had a hysterectomy.Now my gallbladder is needing to be taken out and the doctor found small nodules in my lungs but not too concerning. I haven’t felt well the last mo th and I’m not recovering that good from the hysterectomy which also led to pneumonia. I’m a mess. My immunologist is talking about me neding to do immunoglobulin transfusions weekly because my body is not responding to any boosters they give me. Anyway, so 4 days ago I dropped my kids off at school and when I got home I hear crows cawing and making a loud commotion, squirrels start going crazy and other birds too. It took a few minutes for me to finally see what the issue was but they were right outside my patio window. At first I didn’t see anything except the crows flew off when I came out and the other birds did too. It was 930am. The clouds were moving fast and I looked up one last time and 2 owls were right above my head staring at me. At first I was creeped out. I thought it was odd. They were right where the group of crows were. But I grabbed my camera and took some pics. I went inside and they let out 3 hoots. Maybe a few minutes later I went back out and 3 turkey vultures were flying around my yard. I wasn’t smelling any dead animals so I thought it was odd too. One vulture perched itself on my neighors tree limb that is low to the groud and watched me. The other 2 kept soaring in circles. This continued all day. The owls never left and the vultures stayed. However, no matter where I went I have turkey vultures flying high in the sky. I always see 3. I feel like they are following me. I am driving and they are there. When I pull into my destination, they are there. My husband just says there are just dead animals everywhere. The only time there was more than 3 was yesterday when I got to my destination, 3 were constantly there when I was driving but when I went to get back into my car to leave to come home, a flock of atleast 10 had shown up. I feel spooked. I haven’t seen the owls again however, everytime I step outside in the daytime I hear only 1 hoot. I am certain that there is some kind of meaning to this.
This a quite a unique story, thanks for sharing. Owls showing up to stare at you in the daylight and vultures showing up in 3s, yes I would say that sounds significant. Raven is my main spirit animal and crows often show up for me to get my attention, so I liked hearing that the crows started cawing and making a commotion. You might also be interested in checking out my vulture page: http://www.tanyacasteel.com/project/vulture/ for more insights (they are great at purifying). And I’d be curious to see the photos you took of the owls if you feel like sharing: [email protected] . It’s hard to say what the exact meaning is for you at this time, but the birds are definitely communicating with you. Keep watching and try talking back to them. It sounds like owls have been watching you for a while. They could very well be bringing you comfort and healing as they can feel the situation you’re in. I wish you the deepest blessing with your healing journey.
I came back searching for this post as I just started having the exact same occurances with the owls, vultures, crows, and now I had a Redtailed Hawk sitting on top of my garage when I pulled in and it just sat there and watched me until I got out and walked towards it. It flew off then came back right above my head from left to right. But as an update to my previous experiences in January that I wrote about I can say that I believe those birds were sending me warnings. My son ended up telling me one night that he had seen the owl in his window 2 times that last week of January. I ended up in the E.R. Feb 1st in the beginning of sepsis and having to have surgery to get my gallbladder out as an emergency. I was in the hospital for a couple days. I came home and the owl was perched on the wires in front of my house and it spread its wings out, that is how I noticed it, it stayed like that until I walked inside. The next day my brother in law committed suicide. I stopped seeing all the birds immediately. I went to his house a few days later and on his patio was a wooden statue of an owl that he carved. It stopped me in my tracks.
Last night many owls surrounded my house at around 1 a.m. What does that mean?
Wow, that sounds very powerful. It makes me think of Harry Potter and owls delivering messages, ha. To discover the meaning for you I would think about what has been going on with you in your life during this event. I would also research what phase was the moon in during this event to see if you can draw any further connections. Spirit animals often speak to us in symbols that are not immediately clear to us. Be patient, keep aware, and trust any feelings you get about the possible meaning for you.
I was in the woods and I randomly thought about seeing an owl. About ten minutes later I spotted one up in the trees and made eye contact with it. One minute later another one flew by and landed on the same branch. I couldn’t believe that my random thought led to an event in reality. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?