What Does it Mean When You Hear an Owl Hooting?

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Discover the symbolic and spiritual interpretations of an owl’s call

Co-authored by Annabelle Reyes Reviewed by Jason Zuk

Last Updated: November 3, 2024 Fact Checked

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Symbolic Meanings

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Religious, Cultural, and Mythological Meanings

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Dream Interpretations

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Meanings of Owl Hoots in Nature

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Video

Many people associate the sound of an owls hooting with haunted houses or spooky Halloween nights. You might be surprised to learn, however, that owl hoots have many symbolic meanings. They may be signs of protection, guidance, wisdom, and good luck. If you want to learn more about the possible meanings of owl calls, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll go over all the symbolic, spiritual, and cultural meanings of owl hoots. We’ll also cover what it means to hear an owl hooting in a dream, and what owl calls mean in nature, so keep reading!

Things You Should Know

Spiritually, owl hoots represent wisdom, intuition, transformation, and rebirth.
Owl hoots may also be signs of protection and guidance, or messages from the spiritual realm.
If you hear an owl hooting in a dream, it may be time to let go of something that’s no longer serving you in order to embrace an incoming positive change.

Section 1 of 4:

Symbolic Meanings of Owl Hoots

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Owl hoots represent wisdom. Owls have long been symbols of knowledge and intuition. If you’ve been navigating a confusing situation and you hear an owl hoot, it may be a sign that understanding and clarity are coming to you soon. The hoot can also serve as a reminder to hone your intuitive powers, so that you can tap into the wisdom the universe is offering you.^{[1]
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- The location of the owl’s hoot also has significance. For example, an owl hooting right outside your window may be a sign to open your mind and tune into your inner knowing.
Since it’s more common to hear owls at night, it’s usually seen as good luck to hear an owl during the day. Some unexpected good news may be coming your way, and positive energies are surrounding you! You can also take this as a sign that you’re on the right path, and that you should keep doing what you’re doing.^{[2]
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At night, an owl’s hoot is a sign of guidance and protection. If you hear an owl’s call at night, make an extra effort to be aware of your surroundings. The hoot may serve as a protective warning from your spirit guides, alerting you to potential obstacles and encouraging you to stay alert. Dangers may be near, but your guides are trying to point you toward the right path!^{[3]
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- If you hear an owl hoot near your home, it may be a sign of protection over your living space.^{[4]
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Owl hoots may also be messages from the spirit realm. Often associated with witches and Halloween, it’s no surprise that owls are seen as spooky and mysterious creatures. Many believe that owls have a special connection to the spirit world, and that they serve as messengers between the realms of the living and the dead.^{[5]
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Research source} With this in mind, an owl’s hoot may be a message of protection and guidance from an ancestor, spirit guide, or a loved one who has recently passed.^{[6]
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- This is especially likely if you hear the owl hoot between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., otherwise known as the Witching Hour.^{[7]
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- It is believed that the veil between the spirit world and the physical world is thinnest during this period.^{[8]
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Owl hoots can represent transformation & rebirth. Since owls are associated with the spirit realm, they are often thought of as omens of death. It’s important to note, however, that owl hoots may foretell a metaphorical death, rather than a physical one. In other words, the owl’s call may be a sign that it’s time to let go of an old version of yourself in order to transform into the person you’re meant to be.
- For example, it might be time to end a toxic relationship that isn’t serving you. The “death” of this partnership makes room for you to find the person you’re truly supposed to be with.
- Or, it could be time to leave a job you’re not happy with to explore a new, more fulfilling career path.
- Whatever your situation, the owl’s hoot encourages you to embrace change, rather than fearing it, in order to become the best version of yourself.
Owls hoot during mating season to attract a partner, and they also hoot to communicate with their partner once they’ve already mated.^{[9]
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Research source} Because of this, the duet of two owls hooting may be a sign of incoming romance, or it may be a message of reassurance from the universe that you and your partner are in perfect harmony.
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The number of hoots you hear also has significance. Here’s some more details on how to interpret the different owl sounds you may hear:
- A single hoot represents wisdom and inner guidance. It serves as a reminder to pay attention to your intuition.
- Two hoots serve as an encouragement to be patient and trust that things will work out. They can be a message of comfort in a tough time.^{[10]
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- Three hoots may be a message from the divine to check in with yourself. Are you spreading yourself too thin? Are you in a good place with the people in your life? Slow down and tune into your intuition to decipher the guidance coming in from the spiritual realm.^{[11]
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- Continuous hooting can serve as a warning sign. Make an effort to be more alert and aware of your surroundings, as there may be unseen dangers around.^{[12]
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Section 2 of 4:

Cultural, Religious, & Mythological Meanings

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Athena was the goddess of wisdom and war. An owl’s hoot was therefore seen as a positive omen, foretelling the acquisition of knowledge, or victory and protection in battle.^{[13]
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In fact, it is believed that an owl’s hoot preceded the murder of Julius Caesar, serving as a harbinger of his death. Owl calls were also said to predict bad weather.^{[14]
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Some tribes viewed owls as omens of death, while others saw them as symbols of spiritual protection. Owls were also sometimes seen as messengers between life and the afterlife.^{[15]
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In the Christian Bible, owls represent loneliness and desolation. The verses that mention owls tend to have a negative connotation. For example, Psalm 102:6-7 reads “I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins. I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof.”^{[16]
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- Jeremiah 50:39 is another example. It reads, “So desert creatures and hyenas will live there, and there the owl will dwell. It will never again be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation.”^{[17]
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They were associated with the Crone, the goddess that was said to carry the souls of the recently departed to the spiritual realm. As a result, an owl’s screech was seen as a sign that someone was about to pass away.^{[18]
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An owl’s hoot was thought to predict illness, so it was believed that an elderly person should start digging a grave if they heard one.^{[19]
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Research source} Though this is pretty morbid, owls also have some positive associations in feng shui. It is said that placing an owl emblem or figurine in your house banishes negative energies and invites abundance into your life.
They are often depicted with Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Because of this, their hoots are thought to represent incoming prosperity, and the ability to banish darkness with wisdom and light.^{[20]
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Section 3 of 4:

What does it mean if you hear an owl hoot in a dream?

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You may be holding onto a romantic relationship, friendship, or career path that isn't serving you. Whatever the case, the owl’s hoot encourages you to release this thing or step away from this situation, so that you can evolve and grow.^{[21]
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Section 4 of 4:

What do owl hoots mean in nature?

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An owl may hoot to defend their territory and make it clear to trespassers that they aren’t welcome. Owls may also hoot to attract a mate, or to communicate with another owl they’re already mated to.^{[22]
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