Barred Owl
Meaning & Symbolism
Protective Guide
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
Animal Cards & Guidebook
I want to hear about your Owl experiences. What stories or dreams have YOU had? Please share and join in the conversation below!
I have a barred owl that perches on my post at the end of my back door steps. He lets certain people walk past him, down the steps without flying away. He is so close you can touch him. I would love to share my photos with you. Just a few months ago I found an injured great horned owl in my front yard. Owl has been more present in my life the last few months, more than ever.
I would love to see your photos. You can send them to [email protected] Thanks
I had a dream last night that was very vivid. It had me spending my day off trying to understand it. I dreamt that my son and I were walking by a park in our area, and it had changed in that there was a beautiful waterfall with rocks at the front of the park. Then, a huge barred owl, absolutely beautiful flew down and landed on one of the rocks in front of the waterfall and just watched us. My son and I were standing on the sidewalk in awe of how cool it was to see, when another huge owl with a very turquoise blue, purple-pink hue to its wings came flying from the left across and down, it showed us its beautiful wings before it turned and looked at me and had a human face. It was gorgeous. I didn’t feel threatened in any way and it did not say anything…. it just looked and smiled. I am not sure what the meaning is….
The waterfall was amazing and the owls were too. The colors and vividness were unreal. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.
Wow, that does sound really beautiful. I especially love the turquoise blue, purple-pink owl joining you. The human face on the owl could be symbolic of your inner owl nature. That humans are also part of the animal kingdom. Asking you to merge or embrace some of the energy of owls. Or maybe the owl was trying on being human to be closer to you to understand you better. Or perhaps you were visited by someone close to you who has a strong connection with owls. There are so many possibilities. The pieces could fall more into place over time. For now, enjoy the beautiful experience for what it is.
Im 49 yrs old and live in suburban Adelaide, Australia. Two years ago on a Monday night 18.5.2020 my gorgeous 28yr old son took his life by walking into a semi truck.
Saturday 23.5.2020 I had some family and my sons closest friends come to my house to plan his funeral. We were in the double carport (structure attached to roof of the house where we park cars) with all the lights on, music playing, having a few drinks and remembering my son when my younger son said ” I just saw an Owl. It was sitting on the pool shade cloth ( 2 metres away). I turned around and it was staring at me then it flew off”. I wasn’t sure to believe him as we do not get owls where I live and only time I’ve seen an owl is at the Zoo. None of the 20 others present saw or heard it either. An hour later my son yelled out ” it’s back, the Owl it’s back”. We all turned to see what I later identified as a Boobook or Morpoke Owl sitting on my back fence just watching and listening to all of us. The little Owl stayed for around 5 minutes before flying off into the night. Now my son was a huge Harry Potter fan so all his friends naturally thought this was connected to his love of HP. I understood the significance of this visit and its connection to death and the spirit world. I was very shaken and confused as I was always led to believe ” if an Owl visits, it could symbolise impending death of a loved one”. I didn’t understand why it came after my son had died.
3 weeks later, a week after Iayed my son to rest the Owl came back. It was very late at night and my partner and I were home alone. I was inside the house by myself and my partner was out in his shed in the backyard when I was overcome with this feeling that I wasn’t alone. My usually placid dog then started barking like crazy in a protective tone. I was scared because it was late, dark,I was inside alone and my emotions were a wreck due to grief. I made my way out of the house to the backyard as I was scared and wanted my partner to come inside so I wasn’t alone. On the way to the shed I was stopped dead in my tracks as there was the same little owl sitting in the exact same place where my younger son had seen it 3 weeks earlier on the pool shade cloth staring straight at me. I wasn’t scared any more. The little Owl allowed me to get up real close and we just sat looking into each other’s eyes for what seemed an eternity. I told the Owl I knew he was connected to my son and that I loved him and wasn’t angry at him for taking his own life. I told him I was sad and my heart was broken but I understood, i told him he was brave, and not a coward and most of all that i forgive him. We sat like this for 20 minutes before he flew off and sat on my neighbours TV antenna and watching over my house. The next morning he was gone and I’ve never seen him since. I honestly believe it was my son making peace and checking in on me before he crossed over. I was able to take pictures and a video of this blessed visit that I will treasure for eternity or I can hold him in my arms once again. Thankyou for allowing me to share my story.
Last summer my husband and I ventured into Algonquin Park for a week of backwoods camping after our wedding.
We were visited by a barred owl each evening by the campfire. It would sit and stay in close proximity to us. Although at first alarmed by its presence, we eventually recognized its trust, comfort and friendship.
On our last night we had a bear encounter at our tent. The bear thumped loudly through the woods, stopping at our tent – nudging and snorting aggressively right at our heads.
We laid motionless, not a sound in the woods aside from our hearts pounding on the ground below us.
In what could have been minutes or seconds, our friend, the barred owl called out (To us? To the bear?) “who whoo, who whooo”. The bear bolted away from us, into the woods. I believe the owl protected us and saved our lives.
Completely in awe, we returned to the same sight months later. The owl returned. This visit, we enjoyed an orchestra across the lake between him and two other barred owls that would call out to each other in a triangle across the water.
A year later, we returned again, as did our barred owl friend (Otis). He flew silently past us while we sat quietly at the water on our last evening, and later called out to us from across the lake.
We lost my father a month later. He had been fighting cancer for 12 years. I have read barred owls are a visit from the afterlife, or an indication of death.
I often wonder, if my father had crossed into a different realm, though he was still physically present here with us. He spent most of this past year sleeping, leading me to wonder if he had already transitioned into a different realm after my marriage last summer (our initial encounter with the owl)
Please tell me what you think about this. Please give me any insight or meaning. Anyone and everyone.
Perhaps just reading these other encounters is helpful for me, perhaps mine might be for someone else? Regardless, I have enjoyed reading this thread immensely. Beautiful site.
Thank you so much for sharing this story. What a very special close bond you have with this Owl. Definitely connected and looking over you. I’ve heard stories of Owls noticing and helping souls transition to their next phase. This could be a connection with your Father’s passing. If so, he had a very loving Owl to guide him through that moment. A friend of mine was visited by a Barn Owl when she was giving birth to her baby, who was unfortunately born ill and was not going to stay with us for long. Their baby lived much longer than expected (2 weeks). The Barn Owl was present during the whole process. Not in an ominous way, in a protective way. A guardian who was aware of the situation and wanted to be present for all involved. I honor the connection you have with this Barred Owl. What an amazing connection, guide, and guardian you have.