Feather Symbolism & Meaning: The Complete Guide

• Feather Symbolism & Meaning Overview
• Feather Tattoo Meaning
• Feather Color Meaning & Symbolism
• White Feather Meaning & Symbolism/a>
• Black Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Black and White Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Grey Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Grey and White Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Brown Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Blue Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Red Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Yellow Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Green Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Orange Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Pink Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Purple Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Birds of a Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Blue Jay Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Grey Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Hawk Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Eagle Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Owl Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Turkey Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Dove Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Cardinal Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Angel Feather Meaning & Symbolism
• Feather Meaning in Bible
• Native American Feather Meaning & Symbolism

Feather Symbolism & Meaning Overview

Understanding feather symbolism and meaning can be an essential part of your spiritual journey. What more frequently used and delightful signal for the spiritual realm through the natural world than the surprise appearance of a feather, floating down from above?

When you find a feather on your path, it’s a great time to pay attention to the synchronicities associated with these special markers from the Bird kingdom.

Knowing what type of feathers and meanings associated with them as well as understanding the significance of Feathers can go a long way to guiding you.

The meaning of finding a feather can be filled with nuance. You’ll want to consider several factors such as the location, context, color of the feather and association, spiritually speaking, with the type of Bird whose feather you’ve discovered.

You may also intentionally use feathers in your ritual working or divination. It’s a sign of respect to ask permission before retrieving a feather.

When you understand a feather’s spiritual meaning, you can create a stronger connection not only with the Air Element but with the energies of the bird who left this special gift. The feather of a Bird who lives in both land and water can symbolize the Water Element as well.

What do feathers mean when they appear again and again? Let’s say you aren’t out in nature but instead keep seeing the same kind of feather. The synchronicity is powerful. The meaning behind the Bird associated with this Feather is still connecting with you.

If you’re wondering “What does a feather symbolize?” You’ll have to analyze the circumstances under which the Feather appears.

To some extent, all sightings are a type of message from the spiritual and natural worlds and thus you can think of feathers as little Post It Notes from the spiritual realms.

As part of what gives most Birds flight, feathers can be associated with movement, grace, freedom and independence. Though not all Birds can fly, the feather still stands as a symbol of what makes the Avian world unique.
Are you being asked to reach for the skies?

Do you need to show your independence and freedom?

Feathers can symbolize creativity, communication and all things related to the mind and intellect, as they are associated with the Air Element. When feathers appear, you may be called to carry an important message or teach or inspire others through your spoken or written words.

Feather Tattoo Meaning

“What does a feather tattoo mean?” You may wonder this if you’ve encountered any number of beautiful and ornate feather tattoos. Feathers are a popular symbol for obvious reasons. With one relatively small, graceful image, much symbolism and power can be conveyed.

A feather tattoo can be a symbol of your independent nature or your connection to the Air Element. Someone with a feather tattoo may be intelligent, creative, chatty and social. They may have the personality of the archetypal Messenger.

A feather tattoo can also be a symbol of connection to specific types of Birds, such as Peacock or Raven, depending on the feather image. Feathers can convey grace, beauty, sharing your message with others and connection to the Divine.

Feather Color Meaning & Symbolism

Feather color meaning and symbolism is an important part of discerning the exact message a particular feather. When you know the power of color symbolism, you can add depth to your interpretation of the meaning of specific feathers you encounter.

Whether you encounter a feather out of pure synchronicity, or whether you intentionally seek out a particular feather for use in ritual or as an aid in meditation, it is important to consider the added meaning of the colors of the feather.

White Feather Meaning & Symbolism

What does it mean when you find a white feather?

White feather meaning and symbolism can speak to the higher realms of guardian angels and protective spirits. If you encounter a white feather, it is a message from the Divine involving ascension, purity, new beginnings and protection. White feathers can also symbolize peace.

White is highly reflective and suggests a clean slate, being open and uninfluenced by others, and starting something new without any attachments or baggage from the past. If you’re wondering “What does a white feather mean?” it is important to understand that different cultures and religions can ascribe their own meanings to the color white.

For some, white is a color of innocence, purity and being close to the Divine. White is often associated with healing as well as we think of one’s energy being restored to a higher vibration during the healing process.
White is also the color associated with the Air Element, when you find a white feather, expect that creativity, intellectual strength and the power of communication may be warranted.

A white feather that is used in ritual or meditation can also bring this energy into your ceremonial space. You may use a white feather for a wand or for rituals dealing with communication, purity or clearing the slate and starting over.

In some traditions, the color white is associated with masculine energy and therefore the Yang principle or power of the masculine aspect of God. Though if you examine the color associations of Goddesses associated with the Air Element such as Minerva and Laxmi, you may find the color white, and therefore white feathers, correspond to these deities as well.

Black Feather Meaning & Symbolism

What does a black feather mean?
There are many ways to interpret the meaning and symbolism of a black feather. Black is the symbol of protection, the combination of all other colors and therefore the intensification of power from all ends of the spectrum.

Black brings up connotations of night, mystery, magick and the powers of what is secret. Black feathers can be messages associated with the need for deeper inner reflection and the need to reveal hidden truths.
What does it mean when you find a black feather?

This can be a time to delve deeper into your intuition or awaken power and potential that is lurking in the darkness, outside of your conscious awareness. Finding a black feather can also be a signal that you are being led to explore divination or other great mysteries involving personal initiation. Some associate the color black with the Earth Element but others see the color black as representing a combination of all the elements.

As black is the color of night, it is also associated with dreams, the Moon and intuition. A black feather may be reminding you to trust in your dreams and premonitions.

Black is associated with the Divine feminine and the Yin principle and therefore can be associated with Goddess energy as well as the connection to deities associated with death, rebirth, transformation and the underworld.
When you find a black feather, you may be about to embark on a journey that leads you to a dramatic transformation that you weren’t expecting.

Black and White Feather Meaning & Symbolism

Black and white feather meaning and symbolism blends the power of each of these colors alone and creates a synergistic effect.

What does a Black and white feather mean spiritually?

Since a black and white feather combines the colors associated with Earth Element and Air Element, a feather that combines these two colors can symbolize the need to blend opposing energies. Thus, a black and white feather can connote balance and harmony.

What does it mean when you find a black and white feather?

It can be a symbol of your need to harmonize the masculine and feminine energies within yourself. It can also be a symbol of the need for balance in your life. A black and white feather can suggest that you may need to pay equal attention to the subconscious or unconscious realms, your dreams and intuition as well as the conscious intellect and awareness brought to you in the light of day.

Yet you can also delve more deeply into the meaning of a black and white feather by examining the feather in greater detail. Is the feather equally divided between these two colors? If so, the meaning of harmony and balance is reaffirmed.

Is it mostly black with just a touch of white? If so, the feather may be a symbol of a deep dive into your mystical power and intuitive nature.

If the base of the feather is black and the tip is white, it may be a signal of the need to return to your spiritual or mystical roots, to work on grounding yourself or to delve deeper into your subconscious and trust in your mystical, psychic, subconscious nature.

If the base of the feather is white and the tip is black, you may be called to work on refining your message and clearing the air about important issues that touch on deeper spiritual concepts and mysteries.
When you find a black and white feather, some degree of balance between your own masculine and feminine power, your conscious and logical mind and your subconscious and mystical side, are being called to the surface.

Grey Feather Meaning & Symbolism

Grey feather meaning and symbolism is associated with the mystical and with transitional phases. Grey is a color of “tween times” and places, the magical intermediaries between the conscious and subconscious, dark and light, night and day, masculine and feminine.

To some, grey is associated with trickster energy. Just like the hours of twilight and evening, vision can be obscured and things may not be what they seem.

A Grey feather may be calling on you to see the proverbial “grey area” and not to be a concrete thinker. What does it mean when you find a grey feather? It could indicate that you are heading into a situation in which you may need to rely on subtlety and nuance rather than stark contrasts.

Grey feathers, then, can be used in ritual or workings that require you to remain flexible and adaptable, delving into different realms without becoming too fixated or lost in one train of thought or course of action.

When you ask a question and then encounter a grey feather, it may be an indicator that the answer you need is a “definite maybe.” This symbol can be a reminder to not become too attached to one concrete course of action or outcome.

Grey and White Feather Meaning & Symbolism

What does a grey and white feather mean?

Some associate grey and white feathers with the Fae or other trickster energies. Others see grey and white feathers as symbolic of the balance between transition and being open to change, and the importance of planning and conscious intention. Grey and white feather meaning and symbolism reminds you to read between the lines.
What does it mean when you find a grey and white feather?

The meaning of a feather in your path can signify balance. You could be headed for a change or transition that brings you into closer contact with your mission as a messenger of peace and healing. You may also have to refine your message a bit more in order to reach your goal.

A grey and white feather can signify your need to channel your intellectual energy in the service of completing a transition that may seem vague. You may end up feeling like you’re walking through foggy territory or dealing with the ambiguous grey area of a situation, but that through communication and clear thinking, you’ll be able to see your way through to completing an important project or reaching a goal.

Sometimes the answer to a question is not “yes” or “no,” but “both.” A grey and white feather may indicate the need to reconcile such ambivalent circumstances and accept that “both, and” is the solution.

Brown Feather Meaning & Symbolism

What does a brown feather mean?

The color brown is associated with the Earth Element and therefore a brown feather blends the Earth and Air elements. Brown is associated with stability, structure, and the healing nature of the earth and the ground. Nurturing in a practical way, healing and connecting to nature are all ideas associated with the color brown.
What does it mean when you find a brown feather?

Brown feather meaning and symbolism remind you of the healing and nurturing powers of the earth. When you encounter a brown feather, you may be embarking on a mission to spread a message about physical healing, or to use communication to nurture others.

Brown is also a color associated with stability and security, so finding a brown feather can also connect you to abundance and stability. A brown feather may have symbolic connection to your business, career or finances.
You may use a brown feather to help you connect with Earth Deities or for rituals involving career, stability, grounding and practical matters.

Blue Feather Meaning & Symbolism

What does a blue feather mean?

The color blue is associated with the throat chakra, and therefore with communication, vision and connection through deep listening. A blue feather’s meaning and symbolism is a reminder to speak your truth with clarity and compassion, but also of the need to listen carefully to what others are saying.

A blue feather represents the need to express your love and idealism without fear.

What does it mean when you find a blue feather?

When you encounter a blue feather through synchronicity, you may be called to speak up about an idea or issue. You may be called to use the power of your voice to create balance, harmony and healing.

Soothing and serenity through sharing an inspiring or uplifting message is also a possible meaning of finding a blue feather. Though the color blue is associated with the Throat Chakra and Air, it is also the color of Water and therefore associated with the Water element and nurturing, emotion and healing.

You may use blue feathers in rituals to help you connect with nurturing Water deities or for emotional healing.

Red Feather Meaning & Symbolism

What does a red feather mean?

The color red is associated with the Root Chakra and therefore with instinct, survival and connection to your mission in this lifetime. Red is a color of passion, motivation and ambition.

What does it mean when you find a red feather? Red feather meaning and symbolism reminds you that a time may come when you need to act on your ideals and ideas. When you see a red feather, it may be the time to take action and not to hesitate. This may be a time to boost your confidence and tap into your passions so that you can stretch outside of your comfort zone.

Red feathers in ritual can help you communicate with Deities associated with Fire and also with the Warrior Archetype within yourself.

Yellow Feather Meaning & Symbolism

What does a yellow feather mean?

Yellow feather meaning and symbolism is a double dose of Air Element because Yellow is one of the colors associated directly with the Air Element. Yellow feathers can be symbolic of the importance of using your creativity to solve problems or letting ideas take flight.

What does it mean when you find a yellow feather? You may be guided to express your ideas with greater confidence. Yellow is the color associated with the Solar Plexus Chakra, and therefore as much as this is a light and airy energy, it may also be a reminder of the need to assert yourself and use your willpower.

Communicating with intention and standing up for what you believe in can also be part of the meaning of a yellow feather. You can use a yellow feather to help you connect with Air Deities and for communication spells in general.

Green Feather Meaning & Symbolism

What does a green feather mean?

Green feather meaning and symbolism is connected to the power of the Earth Element and helps you to connect with the powers of the natural world. Green is associated with many things like luck and love, as green is the color of the Heart Chakra.

What does it mean when you find a green feather?

Finding a green feather can signify new love is coming into your life. A green feather blends the Air Element’s energy of communication and creativity with the power of love, abundance, healing and grounding.

You may use a green feather in ritual to help you connect with Earth Deities or for greater luck in business, finances, or love.

Orange Feather Meaning & Symbolism

What does an orange feather mean?

Orange feather meaning and symbolism is associated with enthusiasm, confidence, attraction and security. Orange is the color of the Sacral Chakra and therefore is associated with nurturing and emotions.

What does it mean when you find an orange feather?

When you encounter an orange feather, it can be an indicator that you may need to shift your thinking and communication to be more uplifting, nurturing and to have a brighter outlook.

Pink Feather Meaning & Symbolism

What does a pink feather mean?

Pink feather meaning and symbolism contains the energy of red and white, blended together and toned down. A red feather may call you to show your passion through love and playfulness, compassion and healing but not as intensely as you would if you were working with red energy.

What does it mean when you find a pink feather?

Encountering a pink feather can suggest you are on the verge of a breakthrough when it comes to sharing your compassion and unconditional love. You may be called to communicate your love and affection to those around you or even to yourself.

You may also use pink feathers in rituals invoking love and self-compassion or to commune with loving and compassionate Deities.

Purple Feather Meaning & Symbolism

What does a purple feather mean?

Purple feather meaning and symbolism is associated with spiritual power, influence and royalty. Purple, as the color of the Crown Chakra, represents the transcendent state in which matter connects with Spirit.
What does it mean when you find a purple feather?

When you find a purple feather, it may indicate that your thinking, communication and mission are going to come into greater alignment with your higher ideals and philosophical nature.

This is a positive indicator for broadening your mind and transcending obstacles. You may be directly connected with your higher consciousness and spiritual guides.

You may also use purple feathers in rituals for wisdom, enlightenment and strengthening your psychic connection. All benevolent deities can be associated with this color.

Birds of a Feather Meaning & Symbolism

Birds of a feather meaning and symbolism is all about the old saying “Birds of a feather flock together”. This means that people will create community with others who share similar or exact ideas, likes, dislikes, and more.

Another layer of meaning can be added when you take into consideration the Bird to whom a feather belongs when considering the meaning of a specific feather. So, let’s say you find a Flamingo feather. Flamingo is pink – the color of unconditional love. Another interpretation might be Flamingo balances on one leg – you may be getting a calling to find balance in yourself and begin to be in relationship with others who are working toward or value the same.

Peacock Feather Meaning & Symbolism

What does a Peacock feather mean?

Peacock feather meaning and symbolism can indicate that you are being guided by the power of Peacock Spirit Animal. This may be a good time to examine whether pride is getting in your way, or whether you need to work harder to flaunt your strengths and show your beauty.

What does it mean when you find a Peacock feather?

You may be called to step up and work with attraction energy. This can also be an important time to work protection magic as the eye of the Peacock feather is associated with protection. The eye can also be symbolic of vision and so this can be an important time to work on your psychic abilities and trust your intuition.

You may find yourself engaging in a proverbial mating dance as Peacock does. Are you trying to impress a love interest? Romance may be on the horizon and Peacock may be showing you that you can dance around the courtship game and show your beauty now.

Blue Jay Feather Meaning & Symbolism

What does a Blue Jay feather mean?

Blue Jay feathers meaning and symbolism may speak to your need to assert yourself and is associated with protective instincts. Are you holding back or dodging an important subject?

Blue Jay feather can also represent a need to express yourself, listen for subtle hints, or brace for a change of pace or unexpected turning point in your near future.

What does it mean when you find a Blue Jay feather? This can be an indicator that Blue Jay Spirit Animal is working with you and guiding you to tap into your assertive and bold nature. Don’t be afraid to make a fuss when it comes to getting your point across.

Hawk Feather Meaning & Symbolism

Hawk feather meaning and symbolism directs your attention to the details on your path. This feather connects you with solar deities such as Ra and helps you connect with ancestral energies.

What does it mean when you find a Hawk feather?

When you encounter a Hawk feather, you may be called by Hawk Spirit animal to tap into your protective nature and keep a sharp eye on details around you. The focus on sight and vision can also relate to sharing your unique vision and intuition.

Eagle Feather Meaning & Symbolism

What does an Eagle feather mean?

Eagle feather meaning and symbolism relates to freedom, courage and connection to Creator.

What does it mean when you find an Eagle feather?

Eagle feather may be an indicator that Eagle Spirit Animal is calling you to soar to new heights and challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone and act with bravery.

Owl Feather Meaning & Symbolism

What does an Owl feather mean?

Owl feather meaning and symbolism is tied to nocturnal power and feminine energy. Owl feather can also speak to your wisdom and intellectual power.

What does it mean when you find an Owl feather? Finding an Owl feather can help you reconnect with your intuition and intellectual nature. You may be called to examine how you must tell the truth about a situation or be on the lookout for deception.

Turkey Feather Meaning & Symbolism

What does a Turkey feather mean?

Turkey feather meaning and symbolism is related to abundance, harvest and gratitude.

What does it mean when you find a Turkey feather? Turkey feathers blend the energy of the elements of Air, Earth and Fire as Turkey is associated with passion and nurturing that comes from the earth. You may be called to draw on your passions in order to derive greater stability or reap a new harvest in your life.

Dove Feather Meaning & Symbolism

Dove feather meaning and symbolism is related to both the power of Air and the calling to act as a Messenger as well as the power of love to last beyond one lifetime.

What does it mean when you find a Dove feather? Finding a Dove feather can signal a period of mourning or the need to recognize the power of loved ones who are still working with you even from the Spirit realm.

Cardinal Feather Meaning & Symbolism

What does a Cardinal feather mean?

Cardinal feather meaning and symbolism is connected to standing your ground and knowing your power. Cardinal feather can be an indicator that you may be taken on a journey or flight that involves initiation or new beginnings.

What does it mean when you find a Cardinal feather? If you find a feather, it can be a message from Cardinal Spirit Animal indicating new communication or ideas that can sharpen your connection with the Divine. You may have to be more protective of home, family and a romantic relationship may be in focus now.

Angel Feather Meaning & Symbolism

When feathers appear, angels are near, so the saying goes. Because they are part of the anatomy of Birds, feathers have come to be synonymous with the etheric realms.

Angel feather meaning and symbolism connects the realms of the Angels with the presence of feathers. Angels are often depicted with feathered wings and white feathers are often associated with the Angelic realms.

If you work with Angelic beings, you may be visited by Angels in meditation or ritual. You may see Angels as having wings of various colors. Using the color associations above, you can also extrapolate the meaning of specific Angels who may appear in your life.

Feather Meaning in Bible

Feather meaning in the Bible is associated with purity, peace and light and are considered a feature of Angel’s wings as well as representing Birds associated with peace and love.

The emphasis is on feathers representing ascension and thus being closer to God. Feathers are also associated with protection. The Bible refers to God covering the faithful as a Bird covers their young with their wing. Other references speak of God’s salvation as holding the faithful as if on Eagle’s wings and bringing them closer to Him.

Native American Feather Meaning Symbolism

Native American feather meaning is not monolithic. The significance of specific feathers depends on the particular Birds as outlined above. Generally speaking, some of the meanings of feathers include freedom, power, honor, strength and wisdom.