Omens- Lucky And Unlucky Birds

Buzzards

• An unlucky sign. Beware of danger from hidden enemies and those possessing predatory natures.

Cock

• For a girl to hear a cock crowing while she is thinking of her sweetheart is a potent of good luck.
• On the other hand, if a prospective bride or bridegroom hears a cock crowing on the wedding day, strife, bickering and unhappiness in the wedded state are threatened.
• To meet a white cock is a potent of ill luck. Trouble and danger lie in store for an inmate of any home which it approaches closely.

Crow

·      Dark–plumaged birds have always been held to be of evil portent, and the crow and the rook are no exceptions to this tradition.

·     One or more crows or rooks on the left-hand side constitute a definite omen of misfortune, presaging much contention and strife.

Cuckoo

·    To hear the call of a cuckoo on the right is a sign of coming prosperity.

·     If the bird is heard on the left of the force of the omen is somewhat reduced.

Dove

·      A most happy omen, signifying love, happiness and wedded bliss. In classical days the dove was the emblem of Venus, goddess of love, and hence was a favorite bird with lovers, to whom it is exceptionally fortunate.

Duck

·  To hear a duck quacking is a fortunate omen, indicative of prosperity.

· To see this bird flying is an exceptionally good sign, especially for those who are in trouble or sorrow.

Eagle

• definitely a lucky sign though one somewhat rare in the British Isle.
• among the ancients, the eagle was a very important bird, symbolizing the supreme power of Jupiter, who was often represented as being accomplished by an eagle

Falcon

• Like most birds of prey, the falcon is an unlucky bird, threatening a sudden disaster falling “like a bolt from the tube”. If seen or heard on the left, it is more unlucky.

Goose

• it is a well known tradition that the cackling of geese warned the Romans when the barbarians were making a silent raid upon the capitol. Ever since then, the cackling Geese have been regarded as a presage of danger and of the advent of secret enemies, and any one who hears them should be cautious in his actions during the following few days.

Gulls

• if seagulls settle on any part of a ship in which a person is traveling or is about to travel, he may expect a happy and fortunate journey.
• On the other hand, if a seagull brushes against a person with his wings of flap them in his face, it is an omen of death-probably that of a friend.

Hawk

• the sight of a hawk should counsel the observer to be on his guard against others who are more powerful than he.
• If the bird is hovering on the left side, or worse still, directly over head the gravest possible danger is to be feared from cruel and grasping people.

Hen

• To hear a hen crowing- as distinct from merely cackling- is a warning of serious personal illness.

Jackdaw

• A bird of similar portent to the crow, raven and rook, foretelling serious

Ill luck, especially if the bird croaks.

Kingfisher

• To see a kingfisher threatens scandal, calumny and the public “washing of dirty linen.”

Kite

• This is rare in Great Britain, which, from the divinatory point of view, is just as well, for it presages that robbery, extortion and financial losses will be suffered by the person who encounters it.

Magpie

• To see a single magpie, especially if it be upon the left, is a most unlucky sign, presaging death. To encounter two of these birds is very lucky, however, and good fortune should attend you within three days. The omen varies with the number of magpies that are seen in the course of a walk.

Owl

• The owl is regarded as an ill-omened bird the world over. If you hear an owl hoot three times in succession very bad luck is to be feared. Moreover, it is generally considered unlucky to kill an owl or any kind of night bird.

Peacock

• Just as the eagle was the sacred bird of Jupiter, so the peacock was associated by the ancients with Juno, queen of the heavens.
• To meet a peacock is a happy omen, as might be imagined. If he spreads his tail before one’s eyes, happiness and prosperity are promised.
• On the other hand, to bring a peacock’s tail feathers into the house is considered unlucky by superstitious people, for they are considered to be representative of the evil eye.

Pigeon

·     If a white pigeon is seen flying round a house, the engagement or marriage of one of the inmates in the near future may be inferred.

Quail

·      To see a quail or to hear one calling is a fortunate omen, whether the bird be upon the right or left.

Raven

·      To see a raven perching on the right, or flying away on the right, may be regarded as an auspicious sign; note, however, that this is not the case if the bird flies from left to right across the path of the observer.

·     If the bird is flying away on the left, bad news may be expected before long. The raven is considered by the ancients to be one of the most ill-omened of birds, an encounter with one foretelling death, illness or other misfortune. This bird’s association with death seems universal.

Robin

• the sight of robins near a house or in a garden is an augury of good fortune to those who dwell within.

Rook

• See Crow.

Sparrow

• An unfortunate bird as a general omen, but, strangely enough, one that favors lovers.

Stork

• A lucky bird- according to the Romans augurs, one of the most auspicious of all.
• In Sweden, the stork is regarded as a sacred bird, there being a legend that Christ was being crucified a stork flew round, giving vent to cries of distress.
• In many countries the stork is encouraged to nest on the house tops, boxes or even cartwheels being placed in position to form a foundation for the bird’s home.

Swallow

• According to the ancients, this bird was one of the most fortunate.
• It is the symbol of spring and regeneration, birth and awakening; and to see a swallow in the early springtime, before they have become abundant, is a very fortunate omen.
• If swallows build in the eaves of a house, success, happiness and good luck are promised to all the inmates.
• To kill a swallow, especially one that has nestled under the eaves of your house, may bring the gravest calamity to yourself or your family.

Vulture

·     To encounter a vulture – not a very likely happening outside warm climates-foretells the death of a friend.

·     If more than one of these grim birds are seen together, their number indicates the number of days that will elapse before this tragic prognostication is fulfilled.

Wagtail

• To come across a wagtail is a lucky sign, especially if the cheery little bird is walking towards you from the left.

Woodpecker

• A fortunate bird; to encounter one is an omen of success, perhaps as the reward of patient effort

Wren

• The sight of this charming little bird is a promise of good luck; but to injure or frighten a wren in any way, or take its eggs or young from the nest, is sure to be followed by a calamity of some kind.

Omens Associated With Birds

In the ancient past, observers of Omens not only judge the bird to be of a lucky or unlucky type but also manage to observe the following signs & associated them with meaning:

· which side of you are seeing the bird – left or right,

· what is the direction of the flight of the bird,

· the height at which a bird/birds are flying has an effect upon the force of the omen ( greater the height, more favorable being the indication)

· whether a bird is singing or uttering a cry

· bird suddenly change direction of their flight

· bird hovering while on the wing

Birds seen on the left

· especially dark birds are an omen of ill luck ( Roman tradition)

· to see a “fortunate” bird on the left lessen the goodness it promises

Birds seen on the right

· a fortunate sign unless it is an “unlucky” bird, however the bad luck is supposedly lessen/modified

Birds flying from left hand side to right side across your path

· bring good luck with them

Direction of the Birds flying

· if the birds fly straight towards the observer, they will bring good luck with them but if they are flying away from the observer, they will take good fortune and happiness away from him/her.

A song bird sings or utters a cry as it flies

· regarded as a good sign

· for a rook,crow or bird of prey to be heard croaking or screaming is an ill omen unless it happens to be near its nest at the time

Birds suddenly change direction of their flight

· the observer should be on his guard against the danger of sudden attacks by an enemy

Bird hovering while on the wing,

· treachery is to be feared, resulting in a sudden and merciless onslaught. This omen is often observed in regard to birds of prey.

Omens Associated With Fish/Reptiles

If we want to draw any validity of the omens & meaning from meeting with fish & reptiles, we should at least ask ourselves whether the particular fish/reptile in question is fairly uncommon in the locality where it is encountered. To regard as being of supernatural significance a meeting that was almost bound to take place is an entirely meaningless superstition.

Fish

· In the East, a fish has been looked upon as a fortunate omen being a symbol of wealth and fertility.

· To see a large fish swimming by itself in the water promises a life of happiness and general prosperity.

Lizard

· To find a lizard in a place where it is unusual to do so is an omen of disappointment

Snake

· An encounter with a snake is a portent of treachery, betrayal and jealousy, directed against yourself if the creature is coming towards you but against your enemies if it is going away from you

Toad

· To kill or injure a toad will bring anxiety or grief upon your head

Tortoise

· Is a luck reptile and to encounter one casually is an omen of tranquility and protection

Viper

· To encounter a viper or adder indicates a meeting with a woman of questionable character.

Omens Associated With Animals

If we want to draw any validity of the omens & meaning from meeting with animals, we should at least ask ourselves whether the particular animal/creature in question is fairly uncommon in the locality where it is encountered. To regard as being of supernatural significance a meeting that was almost bound to take place is an entirely meaningless superstition.

Ass

· To encounter an ass or donkey is an unfortunate omen, especially if it is coming from the opposite direction

Bat

· To hear a bat squeaking or crying as it flies presages bad luck

Cat

· A bat cat brings good luck though some do not believe that.

· To kill a cat presages the greatest ill luck ( amongst the Egyptians, it was a crime, punishable by death) while to tread upon its tail is also regarded by the supersitituous as unfortunate.

· If a cat unaccountably abandons the house in which it lives, some disaster to the occupants is threatened.

Dog

· If a dog bays at the moon or howls outside a house, a death is foreshadowed in the neighbourhood.

· In Eastern folk-lore, a black dog is often regarded as a manifestation of the devil and classical students will remember the passage of Horace in which he states that the sight of a black dog and its puppies was an evil omen among the ancients.

· To kill a dog is considered by some people to be almost as unlucky as to kill a cat.

Goat

· A fortunate omen, signifying prosperity and gain

Hare/Rabbit

· Generally considered to be of evil portent and at one time there was a belief that the bodies of hares were inhabited by witches.

· For a hare to cross one’s path means disappointment and disaster.

· If it is seen running past a house, precautions should be taken against fire

· In several parts of the world belief in the evil brought by hares is so strong that persons embarking on a important project/errand would cease doing it upon seeing the hare as they believe that if they continue their project will ultimately be end in failure

Hedgehog

· Good omen.

· To overtake a hedgehog is lucky while to meet one going in the opposite direction is more fortunate

Horse

· If a pair of lovers encounter a white horse, they make take it as an augury of future happiness

Lamb

· To meet with a solitary lamb promises peace, happiness and love

Mouse

· To be presented with a white mouse is an augury of success and happiness in love unless the donor is aware of the significance of his gift

· A brown or reddish-colored mouse is also propitious but the gift of a grey mouse brings evil and risk of danger

Mule

· An unfortunate omen, denoting financial losses and treacherous business partners

Ox

· A casual meeting with an ox upon the road brings with it a promise of prosperity and monetary gain.

Pig/Hog

· A pig is very unlucky and to meet one means serious worry.

· If a wedding party returning from church encounters a stray pig, an unhappy married life for the bride and bridgegroom is threatened.

Rat

· A white rat is auspicious but a black rat has most unfortunate significance.

· If you find your personal effects have been gnawed by rats, postpone any business which you may have been contemplating.

Sheep

· To encounter unexpectedly a flock of sheep is a lucky sign especially if the sheep are coming towards you.

Squirrel

· Meeting a squirrel betokens approaching happiness