Hawk symbolism and meaning includes intelligence, independence, adaptability, messages, clairvoyance, and spiritual awareness.
Hawks inhabit every continent on Earth except Antarctica. Thus, hawk meaning and symbolism can be found in the stories and mythologies of cultures all over the world. Furthermore, the hawk spirit animal is sacred to many people who feel a kinship with these majestic birds.
In this post, we’ll explore all facets of hawk symbolism, including spiritual meanings and what they might mean in your life. In addition, we’ll take a look at hawk mythology, legends, and more.
Table of Contents
- What does a hawk symbolize?
- Detailed Hawk Symbolism and Meanings
- Hawks Mythology and Folklore
- Native American Hawk Meaning
- Hawk Meaning in Mesoamerica and South America
- Hawk Symbolism in Aboriginal Australian Culture
- Buddhist Hawk Symbolism
- Hawks in Hindu Mythology
- Hawk Symbolism in Africa
- Hawks in Greek Mythology
- Hawk Meaning in Ancient Egypt
- Hawks in Islam
- Hawks in Celtic Mythology
- Hawks in Norse Legends
- Hawks in the Bible
- Hawk Spiritual Meaning
- Hawk Spirit Animal
- Hawk Power Animal
- Hawk Totem Animal
- Hawk Dream Meaning
- Hawk Tattoo
- How You Can Help Hawks
What does a hawk symbolize?
Here are some commonly shared hawk meanings. You can read more details about these below.
- Intelligence
- Independence
- Adaptability
- Messages
- Clairvoyance
- Spiritual Awareness
Detailed Hawk Symbolism and Meanings
Intelligence
Biologists put hawks in the same class as ravens, crows, and eagles as some of world’s most intelligent birds. For one, they use tools to get what they want, In addition, they exhibit the ability to plan and strategize.
If a hawk crosses your path whether by flying above you or perching nearby, you are being reminded to use your intellect to solve a problem or guide you to achieve your goals. You have been blessed with a combination of intelligence and emotions. Both of these can be powerful sources of fuel to take action. Yet the discerning hawk reminds you not to let emotions cloud your intellect. Learning to compartmentalize your emotions and look at situations with a rational, logical mind can help you to creative successful outcomes.
Independence
Hawks are monogamous birds who mate for life. Yet unlike crows, who enjoy congregating with hundreds of other crows, hawks like their own company or just that of their mate. A pair of hawks will come to together year after year to mate. They will build a nest together and care for their young. However, after the chicks are raised, the two hawks exert their independence once again, flying and hunting on their own.
If you see two hawks together, it is a rare event. For those who are in a committed relationship, two hawks can be a sign to cherish your relationship with your significant other and to not take them for granted. If you are single, it can be a sign that your romantic soul mate exists. Keep the faith as you try to find each other.
Seeing a single hawk can be a reminder to guard your independence. Always know that you can rely on yourself. And in any kind of relationship, the spirit of the hawk encourages you to maintain your sense of self and to respect that quality in your partner. It’s vitally important that you have the confidence in your relationship to allow each other to soar, knowing that you will eventually return to each other.
Adaptability
Hawks thrive in big, open spaces where they can soar, yet they are also highly adaptable. They can thrive in urban settings, where they perform a valuable job of keeping rat, mice, squirrel, and pigeon populations under control.1 While hawks are clearly carnivores, one of their keys to survival is that they are willing to eat a variety of prey.
Hawks also like to move around. Migrating hawks travel thousands of miles every year. In addition, they are extremely powerful flyers, achieving speeds of over 150 miles per hour when diving.2
When the hawk is your spirit animal, you can find opportunities in any environment or situation. Even if you’re going through an experience that is not your ideal situation, the hawk reminds you that every experience can be used as a launching pad to get closer to your objectives.
Like the hawk, you are equipped with a unique set of strengths, life skills, and experiences that you can use to your advantage. The hawk also reminds you that you have the wherewithal to get up and leave if a situation doesn’t suit you. Seizing every opportunity you have right now will help to propel you faster to where you want to be in the future.
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Hawks Mythology and Folklore
There are over 270 species of hawks, which are carnivorous birds who belong to the order Falconiformes.3 Hawks are also referred to as raptors, which are birds of prey. Because hawks can be found on every continent except Antarctica, they are the subject of legends and folklore throughout the world. Here are some of those stories.
Native American Hawk Meaning
Every Native American tribe has their own distinct set of traditions and beliefs, so hawk symbolism and meanings can vary from tribe to tribe. But overall, Native Americans views the hawk as a protector and a spiritual messenger.
Hawk Clans
Native Americans have a clan system that is organized around family groups, which are based on the maternal line. Clans serve as a system of community organization and division of labor. Each clan has an animal that is associated with it, such as the bear, crow, fox, hummingbird, snake, and others.
A number of tribes also have hawk clans. These include the Hopi, Pueblo, Chippewa, Menominee, Huron, and Iroquois.4
Hopi Hawk Legend
The Hopi tell the story of a kind-hearted hawk. A long time ago in a Hopi village, there lived a mother and son. The mother doted on her son and dressed him in colorful shirts and exquisite beaded moccasins. One day, the curious little boy went wandering away from his village. When he was walking in an open field, a band of fierce Navajo warriors rode by. They grabbed him and brought him back to their camp.
Jealous of the boy’s beautiful clothes, the women in the village took them and gave them to the chief’s son. They also made the boy a slave to do their bidding. The boy eventually grew thin and sickly from lack of food and being overworked.
The Observant Hawk
Nearby, a hawk perched on a tree and watched the goings on in the village. Taking pity on the boy, one day, the hawk swooped down. At first the boy was terrified, but then the hawk said to him, “Get on my back. I will take you away from here.” The hawk carried the boy to a high bluff and placed him there.
The Navajo villagers saw this and became enraged. But this didn’t deter the hawk. He flew back down to the village and with his sharp talons, snatched the colorful shirt and moccasins from the chief’s son and brought them back to the boy. Once the boy was back in his own clothes, the hawk flew him to his village to his overjoyed mother.5
Pueblo Legend: The Hawk and the Crow
The Pueblo tell the story of a crow who laid eggs in her nest but was careless about keeping the eggs warm. She would disappear for days on end, leaving her eggs unattended. Noticing the unattended nest, a hawk swooped down and warmed the eggs. Eventually, the eggs hatched and the hawk worked vigorously to feed the baby birds. Then, once they were old enough, the hawk taught them to fly.
One day, the crow returned to her nest and saw the hawk teaching the baby crows how to find food. “Those are my children, not yours,” said the crow. The hawk replied, “If they are yours, call them and they will come to you.” So, the crow called to the young crows, but the crows replied, “You are not our mother. Hawk is our mother.”
Incensed, the crow went to the eagle, who was the chief of all birds, and asked him to intervene. The eagle asked the young crows, “Who is your mother?” And the young crows replied, “Hawk because she cared for us and taught us to fly.” And the eagle said, “That settles it. The hawk is your real mother.”6
Hawk Meaning in Mesoamerica and South America
Arawak People
The Arawak were an Indigenous People who in lived in South America and the Caribbean. And the hawk was a sacred bird to them. They believed that red-tailed hawks traveled between the material and spirit worlds, and that the Creator used them to send messages to the people.7
The Moche People
For the Moche People of Peru, hawks symbolized brave warriors. The Moche would often pair a hawk with a hummingbird in their artwork. They depicted both birds carrying weapons, believing them to bring good luck to warriors in battle. In other cases, the presented hawks as transformed hummingbirds once they were ready for battle.8
Hawk Symbolism in Aboriginal Australian Culture
The Fire Hawk
The Aboriginal Australians tell a creation story about a fire hawk who brought fire to the people and helped them hunt. While some may believe this is nothing more than fanciful campfire tale, modern-day wildlife biologists have discovered there is truth to the legend.
Hawks and other birds of prey actively hunt near wildfires because they have plentiful opportunities to catch insects, small mammals, and snakes as they come out of their hiding places to escape the flames.
Biologists, along with the ancient Aborigines, have witnessed these cunning birds take things a step further. Just as crows and ravens use tools, hawks have been seen grabbing burning branches from wildfires and cooking fires and using them to set fire in new places in order to flush out prey.9 Thus, the legend of the Fire Hawk has merit.
Buddhist Hawk Symbolism
In Buddhist teachings about mindfulness, there is a story about a hawk and a quail. When the quail wanders away from a place of concealment, the hawk catches her. The quail laments that she should not have wandered out of her range. The hawk boasts that she would have caught her anyway. So, the quail convinces her to put her back under some bushes and to try again. When the hawk dives again to catch the quail, she crashes into the bush.10
For Buddhists, this story represents how easy it is for all of us to let mara set into our thoughts, which is desire, aversion, and delusion. Even the highly skilled and confident hawk is vulnerable to mara setting in.
Hawks in Hindu Mythology
In the Vedas, the religious texts that are foundational to the Hindu faith, there is a story of Shyena, a divine messenger who is a hawk. Shyena is also associated with the Hindu fire deity Agni. In the texts, Shyena ascends to Heaven and brings a divine nectar, or soma, back to the Earth, which serves to rejuvenate all life.11
Hawk Symbolism in Africa
Throughout southern Africa, the hawk is a symbol of faith. They are also seen as symbols of courage and fighting for a noble cause. Some southern Africa tribes believe that if you dream of a hawk, it means you are being called to an initiation of some kind and that you will soon have to make an important decision.12
Hawks in Greek Mythology
In Greek mythology, hawks are identified with Apollo, who was a sun god as well as the ruler of prophecy, music, and dance.
In the story of Daedalion, Apollo, along with Hermes and other gods, was obsessed with Daedalion’s lovely daughter, Chione. With all of the attention, Chione grew overly confident and boasted that she was even more beautiful than the goddess Artemis.
Enraged by this audacity, Artemis shot Chione with her bow and arrow and killed her. Overcome with grief at losing his beloved daughter, Daedalion ran up to the top of Mount Parnassus and hurled himself off the mountainside. But at the last moment, Apollo intervened and turned him into a hawk.13
Another Greek deity, Hermes, is connected with snakes and hawks. In addition to being the ruler of healing and medicine, Hermes was viewed as the messenger for all of the gods. He was also the protector of orators and travelers.14
Hawk Meaning in Ancient Egypt
For the ancient Egyptians, the hawk was a royal bird. They connected hawks with the Egyptian gods Ra and Horus and others. Both Ra and Horus (who are sometimes merged into one god) were creator gods. Ra is often depicted with a hawk (or falcon) head and the body of a man. Horus is depicted as a hawk wearing a crown.
For the ancient Egyptians, Ra ruled the world, including the sky, the sun, the Earth, and the underworld. Horus, whose name is loosely translated as meaning “the distant one,” was also connected with the sun and sky, as well as the moon. In addition, he was the protector of Egyptian royalty and brought good fortune in battle.
Hawks in Islam
Hawks are powerful figures in Arabic culture, where they are seen as symbols of heroism and virtue. The desert hawk is associated with the Islamic prophet, Muhammad, and his tribe, the Quraysh People. The Hawk of Quraish (also depicted as a falcon) can be seen on the coats of arms of countries in the Arab League.15
Hawks in Celtic Mythology
The Celts viewed hawks as messengers from the spirit world. The Celts believed that if a hawk called to you or crossed your path, it meant that something monumental was about to happen. Thus, you should prepare for the unexpected. This could mean good fortune or something more ominous. The Celts also believed that a visit from a hawk meant you should evaluate your life and areas that should be changed.
Hawks in Norse Legends
The Vikings viewed hawks as intelligent messengers. Nordic artwork depicts an eagle who is perched on top of the World Tree Yggdrasill. This magical tree connects the world of humans with that of the gods. Sitting between the eyes of the eagle is a hawk named Veðrfölnir.
Some Norse scholars surmise that the hawk represented the wisdom and knowledge of the eagle. Just as Odin’s ravens flew to distant lands and brought back messages about the world, so Veðrfölnir brought messages to the eagle, whose name is unknown.16
In other Norse stories, the goddess Freya is associated with hawks (or falcons.) According to Norse legends, Freya possessed a cloak made with hawk feathers. When she donned the cloak, she gained the power of flight and could transform into a giant hawk.17
Hawks in the Bible
In the Bible, the hawk, like other animals, is seen as God’s creation. in Job 39:26, God says to Job, “Does the hawk fly by your wisdom, and spread its wings towards the south?”18
Biblical scholars theorize that God is asking a rhetorical question. He is saying that the hawk’s instincts are governed by the laws of nature, which are divinely pre-ordained.
Hawk Spiritual Meaning
As they soar above us with effortless grace, hawks remind us of our connection to the spiritual realm. Here are some of the hawk’s spiritual meanings:
Messages
The hawk is viewed as a spiritual messenger because they fly high in the sky yet have keen eyesight that observes what’s going on below them. When a hawk makes themself known to you, it’s a sign to take stock of your patterns of thinking. All of us have thought patterns that cycle through our minds throughout the day, and day after day. Some of these thoughts do nothing to serve us.
The hawk reminds you to fly above and beyond your day-to-day thoughts and to observe them from a birds’ eye view. Quieting the mind and detaching from your thought patterns puts you in a better position to take in messages from your angels, or spirit guides. Your spirit guides are standing by, waiting to help and guide you. The spirit of the hawk reminds you to effortlessly soar above the noise and take in guidance from the spirit realm.
Clairvoyance and Spiritual Awareness
The visual acuity of hawks is eight-times that of humans. They can see prey from 100 miles away, and unlike many other animals, they also see in color.19
Because hawks can fly to dizzying heights, yet still see clearly what is happening on Earth, they symbolize a link between the material and spiritual worlds.
Thus, the hawk symbolizes the ability to tap into spirit word and to channel what you learn into ideas that you can manifest in the material world. For this reason, hawks are also symbols of clairvoyance or psychic abilities.
The hawk also reminds you to infuse your actions in the world, whether in you work or interactions with people, animals, and life on Earth with spiritual awareness and enlightenment. You have the ability to stay firmly rooted in the real world, while still exploring the upper echelons of consciousness.
Hawk Spirit Animal
You may already know that the hawk is your spirit animal. Or one may have suddenly made themselves know known to you – whether by flying in front of you, shrieking, or perching nearby – in a way that riveted your attention. In either case, it’s important to learn everything you can about these majestic beings because they have much to teach you.
Tap into the Power of the Hawk
When the hawk is your spirit animal, you have a powerful guide on your side who reminds you that you can let your imagination soar while not losing touch with reality. Hawk people have the ability to connect to the spirit world and manifest what they learn to make life better on Earth. When the hawk is your spirit animal, the meanings and symbols applied to hawks are the qualities that you can manifest to achieve successful outcomes.
According to Native American traditions, you can have more than one spirit animal. If you are curious about other animals who might be your spirit guides, you can take UniGuide’s spirit animal quiz.
A personal note on the hawk spirit animal:
I have written a number of articles about spirit animals, and all animals are dear to me. But I will share with you here that the hawk is one of my spirit animals. I do wonder at times how it is that a bird of prey turned out to be a vegan’s spirit animal, but as the Native Americans say, you don’t always choose your spirit animal; they choose you. What I do know is that hawks have given me a heightened awareness about why I am here and what I’m supposed to be doing while I’m here. I wrote about two experiences I had with hawks that led me to this understanding. If you are curious, you can read more about them here.
Hawk Power Animal
As the name implies, a power animal can empower you with their most dynamic traits. So, if you want to transform an area of your life, mediate on the attributes that the power animal represents. For example, you can summon the hawk power animal when you:
- Want to gain more autonomy for yourself, whether it’s in a relationship, your career, or a creative endeavor.
- Are facing a challenge and having trouble getting out of it. Thinking about how the hawk views the world: seeing things from a broad perspective and then zeroing in on their goal. The hawk gathers information and then focuses on results.
- Have a creative idea and want to see is materialize and be successful in real life.
- Want to sharpen your intuition and have a stronger connection to your spirit guides.
Hawk Totem Animal
The hawk totem is a symbol that represents the protective powers of this intelligent bird of prey. Thus, the hawk totem serves as a helpful symbol for manifesting sharper intuitive insights in your life and for strengthening yourself as an individual. In addition, the hawk totem can bring you good luck in making your dreams a reality so that you can soar in your life.
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Hawk Dream Meaning
If you dream of a hawk and wonder what the dream means, it’s important to first analyze the emotions you felt in your dream. For example, fear and anxiety can mean you have to address a situation that you may be avoiding when you are awake. This can also be the meaning behind a dream of a hawk screeching: Your subconscious mind is trying to grab your attention. Essentially, startling emotions in a dream can serve as a wake-up call to address something you may be avoiding or ignoring in your conscious state.
Hawks symbolize freedom and independence, so dreaming of a hawk in flight can mean that you need to exert more freedom and independence in your own life. In addition, flying dreams can mean that your soul is temporarily leaving your body. These dreams are often exhilarating and can serve as a reminder that we are more than our physical bodies.
Dreams are personal to each dreamer, so a hawk dream for one person may be interpreted very differently from one that another person has. However, delving into the emotions you felt in the dream in context to what a hawk symbolizes can hopefully provide better insights into what your subconscious or super conscious are trying to tell you.
Hawk Tattoo
A hawk tattoo can be a beautiful symbol that tells the world that you are a person who imagines and who turns your dreams into reality. It also demonstrates that you honor your independence. In addition, a hawk tattoo conveys that you are person who is connected to the spirit realm. Tattoos are personal to each individual, but hopefully understanding hawk symbols and mythology can bring even deeper meaning to your tattoo.
How You Can Help Hawks
You might live in an area where you see hawks on a regular basis. However, like so many wild animals today, hawks are vulnerable, and in some cases endangered.20
Threats to these birds include conflicts with humans, habitat loss (and therefore starvation), as well as the illegal wildlife and pet trades. If you care about hawks, please do what you can to protect them. Here are some organizations that are working to protect hawks and other birds of prey:
- American Bird Conservancy
- Bird of Prey Foundation
- Audubon Society
- The Raptor Trust
- Defenders of Wildlife
- GlobalRaptors.org lists a variety of organizations that protect birds of prey.
- The publication Mongabay provides a list of raptor species that are endangered.
This was great! At 43, I found my spirit animal. He had shown himself and I watch in awe, and there is a nest right outside my bedroom window. He showed himself finally at night which is weird right? I knew for sure then, there was something about the bird and me specifically. I love all birds, always have. I thought it was weird because I am half native American but also Christian. I looked it up but your article was the best! Thank u! Please friend request me if I don’t find you first. I have a lot of great ideas, I hadn’t been able to get them together because I had so many. Thats part of it, but why do you think it came to me at night? I felt to tell me how unaware I am but wasn’t sure. I do just know things like I am psychic, my mother also had it. I have recognized my madness about things and buckled down and the outcome of how it’s coming together is meant to be. The gifts on the other side include a memorial center for my mom who succumbed to anxiety & depression for awesome starts! Thank you for this.
Hi Kristen. I’ve had a hawk frequently visit my yard for the past few years. I would just admire it but didn’t think much more about it. In the past month, I have a pair of hawks visiting me daily. They will fly to my office window and stand on the window sill or perch in the tree just outside my window (less than 10 ft away). Sometimes they are there for hours. As I was looking into the meaning of this, I found your website. I’m wondering if you have any additional thoughts on this or if it is common. I tried to attach a picture of them together at my window and in the tree but it won’t allow me to do so. Anyway, I would love to know what you think about this. Thanks.
Hi Kevin, Thanks for your comment. Since hawks mate for life, I am guessing you have a bonded pair visiting you. From a symbolic standpoint, I think that’s a positive omen for partnerships and relationships. I am wondering if they see a reflection in your window? If I had the recurring visit myself, I would go out and see if I could see things from their perspective. What are they curious about? Maybe it’s just you? Or what are they looking at? This is very intriguing! I love hawks and see them pretty regularly, but I have never seen a pair together!
They leave no way to think they are not there just for you don’t they!!!???? Has been one of the coolest experiences so far for me. Congrats. I bet ur gonna find the perfect mate;)
Hi Kristen! I loved your site! I’m a very intuitive spirit and try to be observant of everything around me. I don’t just see things, I try to see their meaning. My sister and I have been on a spiritual journey the past few years even though we are 700 miles apart. While talking to her today I kept seeing a hawk outside my window. I wanted to see what the hawk was telling me and came upon your site. The hawks message was just what we needed to encourage the rest of our journey! I’m so grateful that you were led to your true purpose. We are on the verge of Gods new purpose for us and look forward to a new purpose! Thank you for your insight.
I love hearing this and also about your close soul connection with your sister. The hawk doesn’t mind the distance between you either – he/she knows you are connected. More and more lately I keep coming back to how much we are all here to walk in God’s Light and do God’s work. For those who don’t relate to religious things or even the word God, they can just transfer to Love. We are all here to love and care for others. Thank you for sharing! Best of luck on your journey.
Do you have a connection with all animals? Whu just some of us and not others do you know? I am glad you love God too. It’s really getting hard sometimes for me, do you feel at all that way? I apologize, as you likely see I have hard time on focusing. I am so glad I found you. Thank u
Thanks for your comments, Jaclyn. And I’m sorry to hear about your mom. Life can be hard on Earth for the sensitive ones, but where would we be without the sensitive ones? Yes, I feel connected to all animals, though some, like the hawk, have had a more personal direct impact on me. I urge you to keep honing your intuitive gifts – and they are gifts. It’s a work in progress for me. I am working on meditating every day. Always remember that you are light worker here on Earth, walking in God’s light. Take care!
Thank you so much! I really needed to hear that. Some days I feel I’m never going to get it right. Meditation has helped me so much with being in my head. I’m learning my thoughts are just thoughts because I want to live for my mom. Thank you for your kindness, all things happen for a reason and things are looking so good. My dad has a hawk that keeps appearing outside his window;)they were married 53 years. I am so happy I found your page it’s like gold to me. I feel that same way about animals. When my mom died it’s immediately where I went for comfort and still do. I never hardly feel I fit in anywhere, it’s nice to have a friend who understands my idea of fun on a Friday of going to a new park lol. God bless.
Hi Kristen,
This by far the best hawk spirt animal I have read and thank you! I have had red tail hawks show up during times of distress, life changes and new directions. By show up I mean up close and personal like flying across the hood of my car, perching on a branch with in reach of me, dropping their prey at my feet, and following me on hikes. These events were not one offs each of these connections have recurred several times. My daughter sent me this article and I never really shared my hawk stories with her and now she is having similar connections. My sister has the same. Most times I feel the hawk is just telling me that it will be ok or that watch out things are going to get rough but it will all workout.
Thank you again for all the work you put into this wonderful article.
Ralph H
Hi Ralph, Thank you so much for the feedback and sharing your experiences with the red-tailed hawks. Your is the first family I’ve heard of where the experiences run in the family! That’s wild. Hawks are very smart and, like ravens and crows, they know faces, so they recognize people. I’m glad to hear you acknowledge them as they do you. Thanks again.
Really enjoyed your article other than the word “squaw”, was used into reference of indigenous people. As an Indigenous person I find it offensive and outdated if not out right racist. I would be great to have allies that make the effort to put that offensive word to rest.
Sógá sénlá’
Sho
Hello Sho, Thank you for flagging this. I appreciate your insights and correction. I have changed the word to women. Much appreciated!
Hey, thanks for the great article.
Today on my walk in broad daylight right as I was coming up to a very busy intersection. A Hawk,
wings extended swooped down to snatch a pigeon only about two or three feet away just over my head.
It looked right at me it was so crazy … I was startled not really scared, more surprised. I looked around to see other peoples reactions as there were so many people around almost a crowd to be honest I live in a huge city but no one seemed to see what just happened?
Spiritual message for sure.
I’m curious if you know if there is more to the meaning for if it’s hunting in front of you, hahaha? I checked a few articles but nothing seemed to say anything specific to hunting. In any case it was pretty cool.
I saw another one a couple weeks ago as I was driving peacefully perched on a telephone wire. I see them in the sky flying fairly often too, near my home.
Haha I think it’s the fat pigeons 😉
Thanks again for your article I love reading up on this kind of stuff and have had many visits from other animals in the past when I had a major life change happen… but nothing recently or significant in over a year.
I think something big is about to happen.
Hi Jill, Thanks for your message. As I write these posts about the spiritual meanings of animals, I remind myself constantly of their autonomy – meaning, animals are not here for us; they are here for themselves to fulfill their own purposes. So a hawk being a hawk – hunting in this case – may not have an unusual meaning. However, the fact that you observed this when no one else did speaks volumes to me. It shows you are tuned in, a higher level of awareness or consciousness. So, I do think there is a message for you there. My feeling is this – when the hawk hunts, they use their innate aptitudes – but also, learned skills and experience. (The adult hawk is a better hunter than the chick!) The hawk was successful in their pursuit. If I had witnessed this, I would be have viewed it as a sign to continue honing my own skills as they relate to fulfilling my purpose. What you saw in the hawk was excellence – and I think it’s important to strive for excellence as it relates to our purpose. Usually we have to learn new skills, study, practice, etc. to better fulfill our purpose on Earth in this lifetime. All that being said, you also saw a pigeon die. People ask me a lot about what it means when they find a dead animal or insect, is it a bad omen, etc. I don’t think it is. For me, it means you are called upon to say a prayer and to honor the life of the being who has passed and also pray for their spirit. A number of mediums I have learned from say that spirits tend to be curious about what happens to their earthly bodies after they pass. This is why it’s important to provide proper burials if possible, or to at least show respect and pray for the body of the animal or insect, as well as for the spirit. I hope this is helpful!
I have been visited by I call him MR.hawk daily.He sits on my fence and today it seemed like he was looking straight into my eyes. I looked at him in the eyes for awhile and talked to him behind my sliding glass window.Telling him just how BEAUTIFUL HE IS AS GOD’S creature. I am very spiritual and know before hand what’s on its way. This started very young.I felt this hawk was trying to tell me something. Thanks for the many meanings of the hawks presence.Iwas drawn to look up if there was any known
Spiritual value to such a beautiful bird. I take his picture almost everyday. I would Lv to share the picture I took today. December 12 2021.You can let me know how to up load the pic. Not that tech savvy.😊
spiritual value of such a beautiful bird.
Hi Donna, Thnank you for your message and sharing your gift with us! You can email me your photo at [email protected]iz and I can see about including it with your comment. No promises though, as yours would be a first! I always appreciate people who appreciate hawks! Happy holidays to you!
I really enjoyed reading your article… I found it after doing a search on the meaning of hawks. I has a profound experience with a Red Tailed Hawk on 2 occasions this past week.
On the weekend we came home and noticed our neighbours staring at our front lawn… there sat this majestic hawk just sitting and not at all concerned with the 5 of us who were very close watching in amazement. Once I got closer I realized it had been eating a squirrel…although I felt quite shaken, there was also a calm peacefulness of the hawk haunted me.
4 days later I was going for a walk in our neighborhood… and about 5 blocks from our house I turned a corner and sitting on the fence less than 4 feet away from me was this majestic hawk. It looked at me and I talked to it asking if there was a reason he was there for me… I was overwhelmed with emotion.
I am a very spiritual, intuitive and emotional person and knew somehow that it was not a coincidence. I went to bed that night praying and asking for answers for these 2 visits.
On 2 occasions I was up in night and I noticed our sheepskin and pillows which were on a bench at the end of our bed were on the floor. The first time I knew it wasn’t either myself or my husband who may have accidentally knocked it off… but thought to myself strange but doubted my first instinct that a spirit had moved them to send me a message. I put them all back in place and went back to bed… but then the next time I got up they both were back on the floor… it shook me to my core. I know I tucked sheepskin in good so it was impossible that we could have knocked them off during our sleep.
When I got up I was so emotional and felt compelled to jot down notes of all the things I felt I needed to work on with my life, after that process I felt peace instead of anxiety. It feels like an awakening… I felt something telling me to push through my paralysis and live!
I know this Hawk has great meaning for me, and would love to find out more… thanks again for your fabulous article
Suzzie
Hi Suzzie, Thank you for sharing your story. Hawks have a commanding presence! I feel a strong connection to them too (one of my spirit animals.) When I see them I often feel like I get this spiritual (gentle) wack upside my head that says – “Wake up, wake up, remember there is so much more going on than your realize. Remember to keep that in our sights, honor it, and walk in God’s light – you are here for a reason.” :o)
Hi Kristen… I wanted to update that I now have a full understanding of my encounter with this Hawk.
I was talking to my friend yesterday who lost her husband earlier this year. I was walking past the spot I saw the Hawk on the fence and started telling her the story. She said right away ‘that was Gary’. She said Gary was always spotting Hawks and they would always tell each other when they saw one. She said she still looks for them thinking of Gary.
The clincher is the bench part where the sheep skin and pillows were on the floor 2 times that night I went to bed asking for answers to the reason for this Hawk visiting me. They had an antique business and we have several very special items of theirs in our house… including the bench in our bedroom. He must have knocked them off twice to make sure I didn’t doubt my intuition. It was also Gary’s birthday the day before the first visit from the Hawk.
There is no doubt in my mind that it was Gary and that he knows I am open to his message and he wants me to reassure Wendy he is nearby. I also got her an gift certificate for a Medium for her birthday in June and gently nudged her again to go so Gary can communicate more to her.
Thanks again for your wonderful article!
Wow! That is cool! I love hearing the rest of this story. So glad you shared it with your friend. Wonderful! And it certainly makes total sense to me. Take care!
It is very interesting to me to see the date that you posted this. Just three days prior I sat in my backyard for about an hour as a Hawk sat on the backboard of our basketball hoop. I have always had a strong connection with animals and this interaction felt incredibly peaceful. Prior to this moment I would not have been able to differentiate a hawk from a falcon. Looking back now it feels almost like it was there to educate me on how to distinguish between the two birds of prey. I travel across both Carolinas and into south Georgia for work. It has progressively become a bi-weekly occurrence for a Hawk to make its presence known to me. The most unique instance happened in July on vacation in North Georgia. Driving with my wife and our two daughters in the back seat I narrowly escaped hitting a Doe. However, I did not see her fawn following behind and unfortunately it was struck and did not survive. We drove away in order to keep the girls innocence intact, and Rebecca(wife) and I returned to pay respect and move the body from the road to save any scavengers from meeting the same fate. I am the type of guy that captures and releases insect intruders rather than squashing them. The death of this Fawn would have put a sour taste in my mouth for the entirety of our trip and beyond. Though, as we made our way back to the car my attention was drawn to a fence post across the back country rode. Perched peacefully atop was a Hawk. Sitting and witnessing the aftermath of a moment that brought two families together. A warmth, beyond the thick humidity of Georgia, enveloped my body as if I had been embraced me with forgiveness. We carried on with a pleasant, much needed, post-covid trip.
Cut to today. A mental struggle to maintain composure and focus my thoughts had corrupted my mind. For the third time in as many weeks a Hawk drew my attention as it took flight over the highway and took rest atop the bridge I would pass under mere seconds later. A search for spiritual meaning behind this led me to this site. Thank you for being so thorough with your words. Thank you for sharing your story of your personal connection with a Hawk, as your honesty inspired me to share this here with you and whoever else feels a moment synchronization with you. I look forward to learning and feeling more of your words.
Thank you for sharing this story. I am sorry to hear about the fawn, but I agree with you on not exposing your children to the situation before they would be ready to process it. I think honoring the animal and their spirit is very, very important. My previous dog once killed an oystercatcher bird (I think that’s what it was) right in front of me. It was so fast, I couldn’t grab her in time. I felt so guilty about it – here was this beautiful, peaceful wild bird and my pampered pup killed her. It was awful. All I could think to do was to donate to the Audubon Society to help other birds. Accidents happen, it’s a part of life unfortunately. And you likely provided food to other animals like the hawk. We need more people like you who will notice these magnificent animals, pay homage to them, and hopefully help to protect them.
I Googled hawk symbolism and this was the first thing that showed. I’m glad to have read this interesting post.
Today while leaving a medical appointment with my mother, a hawk flew over us and perched in a tree next to me. We were in the parking lot getting ready to get in the car and drive away.
He was almost close enough to reach. I never saw one this close. He was calm and stoic. I thought he was beautiful and wanted to take his picture. I was really
intrigued by him.
When I went to get my phone, I realized that I didn’t have it on me. I must have left it in a restroom in the building. If I hadn’t noticed the bird I wouldn’t have known that I list my phone. Losing my phone would have been a big headache.
I went back in and was able to retrieve my phone wherevI had set it when I was in there before. I’m so lucky that it wasn’t forgotten . I immediately thanked God that He must have used that hawk to let me know about my phone.
I don’t usually pay close attention to things like that. I felt something spiritual about this. I’m Christian and I know that the Bible speaks of God using birds to send messages. If it wasn’t for me wanting a picture of the hawk, I would not have realized my mistake.
I was thinking about it a lot since this morning. This is my reason for searching what my encounter might have meant.
I encountered another hawk a couple years ago. I have a picture of him on my phone. I thought a second hawk picture would have been nice to have…I got my phone back, but not a picture. He was gone when I came back.
I love this story! The hawk was like – I reminded you to get your phone, and now you want a picture!? Won’t you remember me anyway? :o) When I write these articles, I sometimes fear that people who are a little more conservative in their religious beliefs will think I’m saying to worship animals or something like that. I also consider myself Christian in terms of following what Jesus taught. I also view animals and nature as divine creations just as we are. It sounds like you saw it that way too. If you haven’t read it already, you might enjoy the article on cardinal meanings – there is a video with some ladies who believe a cardinal was sent by their mother who passed. It’s pretty wonderful!