What Do Spirit Orbs Mean? Types and Colors Explained

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Learn all about ghost orbs and how to capture them on camera

Co-authored by Raven Minyard, BA Reviewed by Mari Cartagenova

Last Updated: December 4, 2024 Fact Checked

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What is a spirit orb?

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Orb Color Meanings

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How to Photograph Spirit Orbs

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Expert Interview

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Expert Q&A

Spirit orbs are balls of light and energy that indicate the presence of a ghost or spirit. These orbs frequently appear in photos and videos and can manifest in different sizes, shapes, and colors. Sometimes, the orb’s color can indicate what type of spirit you’re dealing with or what kind of message they’re trying to send. Keep reading to learn all about spirit orbs, their meaning, and how to capture them on camera.

What do spirit orbs mean?

Spirit orbs are balls of light often caught on camera and believed to indicate the presence of ghosts. Many believers think the color of the orb changes the meaning. For example, clear orbs mean a spirit is trying to communicate, while a red or orange orb indicates spiritual protection or the presence of a caregiver.

Section 1 of 3:

What is a spirit orb?

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Orbs are balls of light that indicate the presence of a spirit. Known as spirit orbs or ghost orbs, these paranormal phenomena often appear as light anomalies in photographs or video. They’re typically associated with hauntings and are believed to represent the presence of a ghost.
- Orbs can vary in size, shape, and color, though they’re generally small and circular.
- Some believe orbs are the manifestation of a spirit’s energy and that the color of the orb indicates different types of spirits or messages from the spirit world.
- Orbs are frequently reported at historical sites and old homes. Some people believe these locations retain energy from past events and the people who lived there, and this energy allows orbs to appear.
- Some believers think orbs represent guardian angels, ancestors, or supernatural entities.
- Note that there isn’t scientific evidence for orbs, and many orbs may be dust particles or reflections. However, many people who believe in ghosts and spirits also believe in orbs.

Section 2 of 3:

Orb Color Meanings

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Clear orbs often indicate that a spirit is trying to communicate with you. Something important might have happened to the spirit in that location; for example, it could be the place where the spirit died. The spirit may be trying to alert you to a significant event, or it wants help to move on to the afterlife.
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White or silver orbs White and silver often represent spirituality and a connection with a higher power. Some paranormal investigators believe white and silver orbs mean that the spirit is trapped on this plane. Additionally, these colors sometimes indicate the spirit is there to offer protection to the living. White and silver orbs are typically viewed as positive.
- The color white usually symbolizes purity, so some also believe white orbs represent the presence of guardian angels.
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Black, gray, or brown orbs Spiritually, dark colors like black, gray, and brown are connected to heavy energy or low spiritual vibrations. The presence of these orbs often indicates the area is unsafe or holds negative energy, and the location should be investigated with caution.
- Some believers also associate these colors with evil, but this view isn’t widely accepted. Most paranormal investigators believe the spirit is trying to warn you of something.
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Red orbs The color red often symbolizes high energy, agitation, and restlessness, but it’s also spiritually associated with safety and security. While a red orb could indicate an angry or restless spirit in some cases, many paranormal investigators believe the spirit has taken on the role of a protector.^{[1]
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- Red also symbolizes creativity, so the spirit may have been someone who was particularly creative during their life.
- If you see a red orb, pay attention to the energy of the room. If you feel normal or happy, the orb probably represents security. If you feel restless or irritated, the spirit might feel that way, as well.
Orange orbs typically symbolize comfort, healing energy, and motivation. Like some red orbs, orange orbs are often viewed as protectors. These spirits may have been caretakers during their life and this energy stayed with them after they passed.
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Green orbs Green orbs are generally positive and are associated with nature, prosperity, and healing. Spiritually, the color green is often connected to the heart, as well. These orbs often represent love and indicate the presence of a human spirit, as opposed to an animal spirit or another spirit that never took human form.^{[2]
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- Because they’re associated with healing, green orbs may appear when one of the living needs extra support when recovering from a physical or mental illness.
Blue is typically associated with psychic energy and truth. Blue orbs are often a calming energy and may indicate a spirit guide is in the area. These orbs usually represent power, protection, and guidance, and indicate the spirit is at peace.
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Yellow orbs Spiritually, yellow is a positive color. The presence of a yellow orb may indicate that the spirit is happy, and it may be a sign of encouragement for the living. These orbs may signify wisdom, as well, and sometimes appear when the living need to make a tough decision.^{[3]
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- If the orb is more gold than yellow, it may be associated with energy, inspiration, and tolerance.
Pink is a symbol of compassion, affection, and love. These orbs are generally a positive sign and may be trying to connect with a loved one. They’re also connected to a sense of openness and may make the living feel at ease. They are frequently seen around children and may act as parental figures.^{[4]
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Purple is a strong spiritual color that often indicates psychic development. These orbs bring a sense of wisdom and spiritual connection. They also indicate forgiveness and may appear when the spirit wants the living to know they shouldn’t feel guilty about the spirit’s death or something that happened between them when the spirit was alive.^{[5]
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Section 3 of 3:

How to Photograph Spirit Orbs

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Spirit orbs frequently appear in historical sites, homes, and natural areas like the woods. These areas often have dust, pollen, and moisture that can look like orbs when caught on camera. Try to shoot in areas that have minimal airborne particles to help ensure you capture a spirit orb and not a dust particle.^{[6]
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If your lens has dust or dirt particles, these could appear as orbs in your photographs. Clean your lens before shooting to rule this out. Then, set your camera on a tripod during the shoot to minimize shaking and help you capture a clear, focused image.^{[7]
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Adjusting your shutter speed, aperture and other camera settings can change the way light is captured, which might allow you to capture orbs you otherwise wouldn’t. Play around with these settings until you find what works best for you.^{[8]
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Depending on what type of camera you’re using, you may be able to shoot in RAW format rather than JPEG. RAW files contain more data than JPEG and provide more flexibility for adjustments in post-processing.^{[9]
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Rule out other causes. Even if you do your best to eliminate dust and other particles, it’s wise to be skeptical when it comes to orb photography, as anything from reflections to insects could appear as orbs. Examine your photos carefully and pay attention to the size, shape, and color of the orb to best determine if it’s paranormal or natural. Allow your intuition to guide you.^{[10]
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- It also helps to note your emotions at the time of the shoot. If your emotions are heightened (whether positively or negatively), this could indicate the presence of a spirit.
- You can use paranormal equipment as well, like spirit boxes or ghost detectors.

Expert Q&A

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Are spirit orbs bad spirits?

Mari Cartagenova
Spiritual Teacher & Medium
Mari Cartagenova is a Spiritual Teacher & Medium based in Westford, Massachusetts. Mari has been seeing and speaking to Spirits since she was a child, and she loves to share her psychic gifts and abilities to help others. She specializes in mediumship, intuitive psychic guidance, past life or soul reading, and animal communication. Mari is the 2019 Award-Winning Best American Psychic and a Certified Advanced Spirit Worker.

Mari Cartagenova

Spiritual Teacher & Medium

Expert Answer

Spirit orbs are not necessarily bad spirits. They are often seen as friendly manifestations of spirit loved ones, animals, or guides coming to say hello. Sometimes, they can appear in photographs or as reflections of light. For many, encountering spirit orbs is a comforting presence, serving as a tangible reminder that loved ones and guides are watching over them.

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