Bald eagle symbolism can be found written in books, but when the eagle appears to you, it might feel like a fated meeting. Learn about eagles, their spiritual meaning, what it means to see an eagle and what eagle feathers represent. Find out what it means if an eagle is your spirit animal and find out simple ways that you can help eagles.
Some people’s spirit guides are other people, and indeed, our psychics, mentors, and elders shape and support us in countless ways. However, some people have a spiritual connection with the animals, and some people even have a connection with specific animals. They draw energy, gain wisdom, and feel kinship with our sisters and brothers of feather, fur, and scale. One animal that many identify with is the eagle, and most specifically the bald eagle. Join us at SpiritualBlossom to learn bald eagle spiritual meaning, what it means when you see eagles, what their feathers symbolize, what it means if an eagle is your spirit animal, and how we can help eagles.
What is an Eagle?
An eagle is a kind of bird of prey that is found across Africa, Eurasia, The Americas, and Australia. There are 68 different species of eagles, and they range in adult size from a pound to weighing in at almost 20 pounds. Their vision is five times better than a human’s vision, and they live up to 30 years in the wild, but have been known to live about 38 years in captivity. They eat fish, small mammals, and even reptiles. While a lot of predators hunt at night, eagles hunt during the day, and are known to pick their prey up, carrying them high into the air before they drop them to stun them. Another terrifying predator is one you won’t see during the day and you can read about them here: Are Vampires Real?
Eagles have been around for about 36 million years and are believed to have evolved from another bird of prey, the kite. They lay eggs, and hatch live young from them, and baby eagles, called eaglets, are fully grown by 12 weeks and begin to fly at that point. They can fly up to 160 kilometers, or 99 miles per hour, which makes them fast predators who swoop in and snatch up their prey. They can fly at altitudes of up to 20,000 feet. Eagles mate for life, and the females are typically larger than the males. Although it is rare for an eagle to be a pet, eagles can be trained to help humans hunt small animals. A mighty hunter of lore may be one you have never met before but you can read about it here: Do Werewolves Exist?
What Does an Eagle Symbolize?
Because eagles live in so many different places, and are such impressive creatures, they symbolize a lot of different things to a lot of different people. They are the official birds in more than one place and symbolize power and pride to a lot of people. Because they are not one of the animals likely to be domesticated, they symbolize freedom. They are also sacred creatures to some people, and are very holy.
Pride and Power
Perhaps because of what their keen-eyed faces look like, eagles symbolize pride. Indeed, they look regal and dignified. Their shrill cry seems to be a declaration of confidence, and they never do anything unless it is deliberate. They fly high, fast, and swoop in without warning, diving onto land or water to snatch up whatever they are hunting. For thousands of years, hunters in Mongolia have trained eagles to help them hunt. These animals possess superior skills at taking down prey, and they hunt animals like wolves and foxes that would harm people and their animals. The power of the eagle is so fierce, it can take down rivals much larger than it is. It seems like eagles are so powerful, nothing can stop them. One sign that is known for their own personal power is Aries and you can read about them here: Aries Zodiac Traits and Love Compatibility
Freedom
Part of the reason the eagle was chosen as the official bird of multiple places is because it symbolizes freedom. Unlike dogs, cats, and livestock, eagles don’t domesticate well, and aside from hunting, they remain mostly separate from other species. Their nests are typically 50-125 feet up in trees in spots that are difficult to reach. They retain their autonomy and when you see an eagle soar in the sky, you can feel the freedom they possess. They are difficult to catch, and they soar to great heights, able to conquer even the sky. One sign that embodies personal freedom is Aquarius and you can read about them here: Aquarius Zodiac Traits and Love Compatibility
The Sacred
To some indigenous North American peoples, the eagle is believed to be a creature who carries the people’s prayers to the Creator, and it is revered and treated respectfully. Some people believe the eagle is the only creature who has seen the Creator and it is forbidden by many tribes to kill or eat an eagle. The eagle was the animal sacred to the Greek god Zeus. It was his messenger, and he was even known to transform into one. In the Bible, the eagle is spoken of as a being of strength, and one passage says those who put their faith in the god of the Bible will have the strength of the eagle. To read about something else sacred, the spiritual meaning of love, see here: What is the Spiritual Meaning of Love?
Seeing an Eagle Meaning
Seeing a bald eagle meaning varies by person. Some people do not feel a personal relationship with eagles, but if you do, when you see one, they have messages for you. It is believed by some people that seeing an eagle is a sign good luck is coming. Other people believe seeing an eagle is a sign to stay strong in the face of challenges because you have strength like the eagle. Other people take seeing an eagle as an omen that their father god is watching over them, and still other people believe that seeing an eagle means they will be victorious. Eagles represent the power to manifest, so when you are working hard toward goals, and you see an eagle, take heart. The eagle is telling you that you have what it takes to accomplish your goals, so sharpen your focus and keep working hard. One sign that has sharp focus and tenacity is Scorpio, and you can read about them here: Scorpio Traits and Love Compatibility
Bald Eagle Feather Meaning
A lot of non-natives want to know the spiritual meaning of bald eagle feathers to indigenous Native Americans. The feathers represent the sacredness of the eagle. Some tribes use eagle feathers to give to people who have earned honor. Magnificent headdresses with many eagle feathers are worn by some men who have done a lot for their community. Some tribes use eagle feathers in healing ceremonies and prayer services because it is believed the feathers have the power of the birds in them. To read about a special kind of cleansing ritual some people use feathers for, read here: What is Smudging? A Beginner’s Smudging Guide
Some sacred pipes are adorned with eagle feathers to bring the eagle’s power to those smoking from the pipe. Eagle feathers can be passed over somebody’s head to indicate they are courageous, or to wish them happiness or help them to be brave. Eagle feathers are symbols of the holiest things, and to be gifted an eagle feather is a great honor. They hold the power of the eagle in them and not everybody gets the privilege of being allowed to own or wear one. To read about the symbolic interpretation of black feathers in the spiritual realm, see here: "Mystical Wings: Exploring the Symbolic Interpretation of Black Feathers in the Spiritual Realm"
The Eagle Spirit Animal
Any animal can be your spirit animal. What this means is you have a special kinship with a particular kind of animal, and it shares its wisdom, strength, and magic with you. Some people instinctively know what their spirit animal is, and other people have to go on spiritual journeys to find out. When the eagle is your spirit animal, you will feel a powerful psychic connection to eagles. You will understand their expressions and they may visit you in person as well as dreams to bring profound spiritual messages. Another powerful creature that might be your spirit animal is the black cat and you can read about it here: The Magic and Superstitions of Black Cats
How can you discover your spirit animal? Some people choose to go out alone into nature many times, away from all other people in search of their spirit animal. They wait to see which animals approach them and which ones approach often or every time. They feel that is how to find out what your spirit animal is. Other people choose to do meditation and ask the creatures that are their spirit animals to appear to them in visions. Other people simply know what their spirit animal is from a young age and they don’t know the exact moment when they discovered it. If you are waiting to discover your spirit animal, say a prayer like “May the powers of creation send my plea to all my kin of the earth. Whichever animals are my spirit animals, make yourselves known to me. So be It.”
Keep in mind, spirit animals are not pets and they are not servitors who do your bidding. They act as guides who teach you wisdom, strength, skills, and they help you to break bad habits, and replace them with better habits. They don’t walk beside you like a best friend would. They appear to you in spirit form quite often, and other times, they come to you for a moment in a short appearance in the flesh. Some people do coexist with the animals that are their spirit animals, but it is rare for somebody to live among the eagles. Your eagle spirit animal will help you to spiritually grow and be the best you can be. To read about being your best self, see here: How to Be Your Best Self
Do Eagles Need Our Help?
In the United States alone, eagles have been endangered. Habitat loss, poaching, and things like the pesticide DDT that poison their food sources had decimated the eagle population. Thanks to conservation groups, eagles have been removed from the endangered species list in America, but the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service still protects them. There are things you can do to help the eagles.
1) Don’t set out pesticides. Small creatures can eat it and then get eaten by eagles, who will be poisoned.
2) Stay away from their nests so you don’t frighten or disturb them and if you see their nests, don’t develop the land it is on.
3) Clean up fishing lines and lures. The lines and hooks can kill or endanger eagles.
4) Ask your local representatives to use eagle friendly power lines and not to use windmills, which can harm all birds in general, not just eagles.
5) Don’t set off fireworks or burn fires outdoors near the eagle’s habitat.
6) You can also find out more about eagle conservation here: Eagle Management | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov)
Eagles are magnificent creatures who exist in their own right, but the powerful kinship humanity feels with them is undeniable. While it is true that sometimes, you see an eagle because it happens to fly past you, or you happen to spy their nest on your walk, sometimes seeing an eagle is spiritually significant. They symbolize power, pride, freedom, and sacredness and their feathers are believed to be blessed with spiritual powers. Whether you share a moment or a lifetime of spirituality with this great creature, the eagle will bless you whenever you see it.
Would you like to know more about the spiritual meaning of eagles or other animals? We have psychics who are knowledgeable about the spiritual meaning of animals and the connections they have with us so start a reading about that today. Make sure to sign up for our horoscopes to get them delivered into your email's inbox today.
About the Author: Lady Saoirse has studied magic and lore for most of her life but started walking her own Magical Path after being spiritually reborn in the desert. Today she is a High Priestess for The Temple of the Goddess, she is a psychic advisor and spiritual counselor, she shares her gifts as a Psychic and Content Writer for SpiritualBlossom. She has written for Mysticsense and PaganPagesOrg emag.
