What Do Crows Symbolize Spiritually? 4 Meanings

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Exploring the spirituality of crows when they appear IRL or in dreams

Co-authored by Jennifer McVey, Cht and Amber Crain

Last Updated: December 11, 2024 Fact Checked

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What do crows mean spiritually?

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Are crows good or bad omens?

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What does it mean when you see a flock of crows?

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Dream Interpretations about Crows

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Video

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Expert Interview

Crows are powerful symbols for many cultures all over the world, but do they have any specific spiritual meanings? Seeing a crow in your waking life or in dreams definitely has spiritual connotations, and in this article, we'll break down all of the possibilities for you. We'll also discuss what crows represent to different cultures, and how they've influenced mythology and folklore since ancient times.

Things You Should Know

Spiritually, crows represent transformation, positive change, and intelligence.
Seeing a crow is generally considered to be a good omen. Temporary and unexpected changes are coming, but the outcome will be positive.
Seeing a flock of crows is a message that you’re not alone—you have good people around you, or a dead loved one is watching over you.

Section 1 of 4:

What do crows mean spiritually?

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Transformation Crows are intuitive and adaptable animals that are extremely resilient in times of change. If you see a crow, it could mean that you’ll soon be experiencing transformative change on a spiritual or emotional level. It could also mean that there’s an aspect of your life that needs to be changed before you can move forward with your spiritual journey.^{[1]
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- In Native American cultures, the crow is a sacred animal that represents new beginnings. Many tribes also believe that crows are spirit guides and messengers.
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Death and the afterlife There’s an old saying: “Where death goes, crows follow.” Since crows, ravens, and other corvids are scavengers that feed on the flesh of dead animals, they’ve long been linked to death—both literally and symbolically.^{[2]
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Research source} Some cultures believe that crows are the spirits of dead loved ones who've recently passed away.^{[3]
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- Serbian and old European stories call crows symbols of death.
- In Swedish folklore, they're ghosts of people who've been murdered. In German folklore, they're believed to be damned souls.
- In Celtic folklore and mythology, crows are linked to the Morrigan, the goddess of death and war. In Welsh mythology, they’re connected to the warrior god Brân the Blessed.
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Prophecy Crows are often associated with fortune telling and prophecy in many cultures. If you see a single black crow, it might be a sign that you’ll soon be having an important vision or prophetic dream.^{[4]
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- In Celtic mythology, crows signify arcane knowledge and prophecy.
- In Welsh mythology, witches and sorcerers were able to transform into crows, and crows were associated with magic.^{[5]
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- In Greek mythology, crows were believed to be prophets and even the gods consulted them about things that would happen in the future.
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Intelligence Crows are extremely smart creatures that are capable of using tools, recognizing human faces, and a lot more—some researchers believe they’re just as intelligent as apes! And crows have long been associated with intelligence, even before scientific research proved just how smart they are.^{[6]
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- In Western culture, crows have represented intelligence since ancient Greece.
- Crows are also linked to wisdom and intelligence in Native American and Indian folklore.
- In Buddhism, the Dharmapala (protector of the Dharma), called Mahakala, takes the form of a crow on earth.^{[7]
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Section 2 of 4:

Are crows good or bad omens?

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Seeing a crow is believed to be a good omen overall. Since crows represent change and transformation, the appearance of one (or a flock) can indicate temporary and unexpected changes are coming. This is why some cultures see the appearance of a crow as a “bad” omen. However, crows also symbolize the ability to adapt successfully. As long as you embrace the changes rather than fight against them, these changes will result in good luck, success, and abundance.^{[8]
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- In Japanese culture, crows are symbols of good luck because it’s believed that their black feathers can ward off evil spirits.

Section 3 of 4:

What does it mean when you see a flock of crows?

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Seeing multiple crows means you're surrounded by good people. Since crows are social birds, some people believe their appearance means that there are people in your life who care about you and want to help you. If you’ve been feeling lonely or disconnected lately, the flock of crows is a message that you’re not alone.^{[9]
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- Alternatively, some cultures believe that seeing a flock of crows means that the soul of someone close to you who died recently is watching over you.
- FYI, a group of crows is actually referred to as a "murder of crows."

Section 4 of 4:

Dream Interpretations about Crows

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Seeing a crow in a dream is a sign of forthcoming change. This change might be a little bumpy at first, but keep in mind that this is temporary—ultimately, the crow promises a positive outcome. Dreaming of a crow can also mean that your connection to your higher self is getting stronger and you’re embarking on a spiritual journey. The meaning can also depend on what the crow is doing in your dream:
- If you see a crow in flight, it means you're repressing something in your subconscious that needs to come to light.
- If you see a crow eating, it means you'll come into great wealth if you stay on your current path.^{[10]
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- If you hear a crow cawing, it means someone in your life may soon try to take advantage of you.
- If a crow attacks you, it means that your waking life feels out of control and it’s time to address the reasons why.
- If you see a dead crow, it means you’re in the middle of changing and evolving in your waking life and you’re on the right path.^{[11]
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- If you see multiple crows in your dream, it means positive change is coming.