Herring & Sea Gull Symbolism & Meaning

Having trouble adjusting to change? Are you struggling with seeing all sides of an issue? Herring Gull & Seagull as a Spirit, Totem, and Power Animal can help! Herring Gull & Seagull teaches you how to adapt to any situation, all while showing you how to gain clarity by seeing the bigger picture! Delve deeply into Herring Gull & Seagull symbolism and meaning to find out how this Animal Spirit Guide can uplift, enlighten, and encourage you!

Herring & Sea Gull Table of Contents

• Herring Gull & Seagull Symbolism & Meaning
• Spirit Animal
• Totem Animal
• Power Animal
• Native American Symbolism
• Celtic Symbolism
• Herring Gull & Seagull Dreams
• Far Eastern Symbolism
• Back to all Birds
• Back to all Spirit Animal Meanings

Herring Gull & Seagull Symbolism & Meaning

Before exploring Gull symbolism and meaning, it’s important to note Herring Gulls and Seagulls are one and the same. Some people will argue the term “Seagull” is a misnomer, supporting their argument with the idea there’s a wide variety of Gull species that do not confine themselves to the sea alone. Nevertheless, “Seagull” is an informal and common reference in use today referencing all Gulls.

Thinking of Herring Gull and Seagull stirs up images of Birds soaring and circling above vast bodies of water. Yet, Gull doesn’t stay too far away from or above the shore, and instead, find food sources nearer to the shore. Here, Gull is as an emblem for the marriage of land and sea: The union of the Earth Element, and Water Element.

Similar to their boundary-style relationship with the ocean, Gull lives close to humans but prefers not letting them get close. Even kind people who feed them find they swoop in, grab their treat, and then fly off like a pleased pirate. Preferring Fish, Mollusks, and Insects, they will feed whenever the opportunity strikes. Gulls can spot an opening and act on it without hesitancy, so they symbolize swift movement and decisive action.

You will find nothing shy about Gull Spirit. The loud, piercing cry is unmistakable. And, since Gulls live in large groups, the sound can become clamorous. Gull never hesitates to make its “opinion” known. Here, the creature symbolizes speaking your truth and remaining fearless in your stance.

Within the Gull colony, there is a well-framed hierarchy. Gulls mate for life, and woe to the predator who tries to move in on Gull territory during breeding season. If a mated pair thinks nearby Birds are challenging their food supply or encroaching, they will steal these unsuspecting parent’s eggs, hoping to get them to move. So much for neighborliness! The Gulls’ behavior reflects the strong survival instinct you’d expect from a sea-hardened sailor.

The only time a Gull pair separates is when they cannot produce chicks. For the unfortunate couple, the rest of a Gull colony may look upon previously mated Birds as less desirable. It takes several nesting seasons to shake off the stigma. Devotion is definitely in Gull’s birdhouse.

Diversity is part of Gull symbolism. There are 50 known Gull species. At least one of these species lives in every continent, including Antarctica. Gulls are among the most pervasive bird families in the world. That same assortment appears in where they make a nest, including fields, parking lots, jungles, and even deserts. The diversity of habitat Gulls live in makes them a symbol of adaptability. Gulls prefer freshwater to saltwater but can drink both. They have a special gland similar to a Penguin, allowing them to regulate salt balance. The gland is another physical trait pointing to adaptation in the Gull’s meaning.

Herring Gull & Seagull Spirit Animal

When Herring Gull & Seagull appear as Spirit Animals, they leave no question regarding their entrance in your life. In Gull society, no matter how plentiful the food supply, it is “every bird for themselves,” resulting in a chaotic ruckus. Gull encourages you to ask yourself, “Are you arguing over a matter, competing, or being possessive when there is no need?”

Gulls embody the spirit of freedom and independence outside of relationships. So, when the Gull Spirit Animal flies into your awareness, it might encourage you to take to wing by becoming self-sufficient. Gull reminds you of your uniqueness and that you can have your way of life without loneliness.

Herring Gulls & Seagulls search for food without constraint, just as they look for a mate; this makes the Birds emblems of driving passion! Gull, as a Spirit Animal, challenges you to find what drives you and ignites your inner spark. The creature’s message is not to stop while on your life’s quest until you find and act on what inspires you.

Gull Spirit Animal symbolism includes gaining perspective. Through the Gull’s eyes, you can look across a broader landscape. Since Herring Gull and Seagulls have close ties with water, the landscape may be emotional. From your new vantage point, you can see how things work together, refine your understanding, and use what you observe for the betterment of your emotional well-being.

Herring Gull & Seagull Totem Animal

Individuals born with the Gull Totem Animal have a simple beauty within and without. They enjoy the company of like-minded souls but also need time alone. When social situations arise, it’s a time for deep discussions about art, philosophy, and almost anything and everything creative. Gull People connect with the Muses in abundance.

If your Birth Totem is the Gull, you’re expressive and not just vocally. You know how to make yourself heard, but if you can find inventive ways of getting the same point across, you do. Any opportunity for conveying your talents becomes your warm beach, complete with fanciful sandcastles.

Because you walk with the Gull Totem, you want deep, abiding relationships. You seek someone with whom you can laugh, discuss physics or space theory, and always feel comfortable. You are intelligent, and you need a partner who can keep up with your keen mind. Plus, you want to be yourself with your loved ones without judgment. If you have children, you are diligent about passing on family history, secret recipes, and fond memories filled with love.

In business, you make yourself indispensable. You like the resulting stability. When you are not working, travel pulls at your soul. If you can see the world, you will. Making any such journey an adventure doubles the pleasure it brings.

Herring Gull & Seagull Power Animal

Call on Gull as a Power Animal when you are waiting for opportunities’ knock. The creature is also ideal to invoke when you have several options from which to choose and you’re remain uncertain about direction. Gull Power Animal gives greater vision of the opportunities ahead. The Bird also empowers you to make informative decisions by supporting you as you expand your awareness.

Invoke the Gull Power Animal when you need to get inventive about finding resources to get you through a rough time. Gull has a knack for finding what they need. The creature’s energetic influence also helps you to put the resources you discover to the most practical use.

Turn to the Gull Power Animal for support in using your voice with greater effectiveness. If you feel like people don’t hear you, Herring Gull and Seagull support you in finding a good vocal range and volume, making it easier to convey your message. The creature’s energetic influence helps ensure people cannot avoid your efforts to communicate.

Native American Herring Gull & Seagull Symbolic Meanings

Herring Gull and other Seagulls appears in Native American Art and as a Clan Animal to some Tribes like the Chippewa. It has a role in folklore, but it’s not always positive. Some myths illustrate them as greedy, while others respect the Gull’s persevering traits. Some folklore suggests the Gull has magic for controlling the weather.

The Haida Tribe of the Pacific Northwest, honor Gull as a wise advisor with a strong spiritual presence. One story tells of a Gull that came to a distraught woman and told her to swallow a warm stone. She later gave birth to an invulnerable culture hero.

Celtic Herring Gull & Seagull Symbolic Meanings

Welsh Mythology connects Gulls with Saint Cenydd of Wales. Cenydd was born a prince, but later becomes a hermit. As a child, because he was crippled, Cenydd was cast into the River Lougher and left to whatever fate befell him. Gulls, along with Angels, discover him. In some stories, the Seagulls bring the child home and raised him. The stories give Seagulls symbolic ties to parenting, Divine intervention and serving as the helpful hand of God.

The people of Wales saw Gull as a predictor of storms. When seeing a Gull flying overhead, it was an omen warning that a storm would soon come to the area. Other superstitions suggest Gull has magical powers it derives from the Gods themselves.

Meanwhile, in Ireland, the God of the Sea, Manannan Mac Lir sometimes appeared as a Gull. While this God had trickster traits, the more positive characteristics appear in Gull as intelligence and a love of playing games.

Herring Gull & Seagull Dreams

A Gull appearing in your dreams means you will soon have an “ah-ha!” moment, inspired by good advice. If the Gull in your dream is flying, it’s time to let go of things holding you back. Clear out your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual clutter, including people who make you uneasy.

When you see a baby Gull in your dream, it symbolizes good news. Often the emerging information resolves a longstanding issue still worrying you. Squawking Gulls in a group represent a person or group of people in your life that are nagging or pressuring you. Stay true to your inner compass.

When you feel the Gull in your dream is you, and the Bird is in flight, keep your perspective intact. Rise above the throng during a challenge to avoid conflict.
If the Gull in your dreams appears in an unusual color, the hue has meaning. Green Gulls are emotional uncertainty or jealousy. Red Gulls imply having worked on a project only to realize you don’t want involvement anymore. Red Herring Gulls and Seagulls may reveal hidden anger.

Herring Gull & Seagull Symbolic Meanings Key

• Adaptability
• Boldness
• Communication
• Devotion & Fidelity
• Diversity
• Hardiness
• Liberation
• Opportunity
• Resourceful
• Survival