The black feather is a highly spiritual symbolic emblem. It has been used for centuries as a tool of wisdom, protection, and arcane knowledge. Black feathers may symbolize divinity, protection, knowledge, and wisdom.
If you see a black feather either in your dreams or day-to-day, it could be a warning message from your ancestors, your own higher self, or from a divine being that you need to be careful and tap into who you truly are.
The black feather is a sacred and mystical object, which has been used to adorn headdresses of the most sacred and important leaders in almost every native culture around the globe.
The black feather will appear to you when you need guidance and a prompt to focus on your own path and spirituality. If you have been feeling a spiritual disconnect, the black feather is there to remind you of who you are, and to aid in you returning to your highest and most connected self.
Symbolism and Meaning of Black Feather
1. Protection
The black feather in many native and indigenous communities is considered to be the ultimate sign of protection. Many women would place a black feathered necklace around their children’s necks in the hope it would provide them with protection and safety.
If you have been feeling unsafe or insecure in your day-to-day life, seeing a black feather could be a sign that you are being protected by a higher power.
This is open to your own interpretation, as the only person who truly knows you is you, so take this protection how you wish.
Many believe it is from deceased family members, who are looking out for you from a higher place, others believe it is God, some even believe it is a message from their future selves, letting them know they will be okay.
Whichever it is, take a deep breath and know you will be okay.
See Also: Red Feather Meaning
2. Arcane Knowledge
Channeling the energy of the Shamans and leaders who worship the black feather, it is thought to be a sign that you are a holder of arcane knowledge.
This is knowledge that is known by very few, reserved for only the most open-minded and connected. By visualizing a black feather in your dreams or meditation practice it could be a symbol that you are holding some powerful knowledge about yourself or the world around you.
This is a great symbol and one that you should be proud of. Take a note of what is happening in your life when you are visualizing the feather, and make sure you are journaling your thoughts and feelings.
Take in the world around you and continue to evolve and expand your learning. Spend more time in nature, as many spiritual and important messages can be found when out in nature with no distractions.
Many advise expanding your practice and knowledge to many other topics. Many spiritual beings are not only knowledgeable in their chosen practice, but of many other practices (even if they do not agree or take part in them).
Learning about different cultures and practices will give you an open mind and a sense of the world you are living in. Take the time to ask questions if there are resources and people available to you, and continue gathering knowledge.
See Also: Black and White Feather Symbolism
3. Wisdom
Black feathers have been used to adorn the headdresses of sacred Shamans and leaders for a very long time. The black feather is also commonly utilized in sacred rituals and ceremonies. It is commonly considered to be a universal symbol of great wisdom, particularly in the sense of spiritual and otherworldly wisdom.
If you are coming across black feathers in your daily life it is not something to ignore. This is a very intentional symbol that may signal something important.
It is encouraging you to tune in to your inner wisdom and work through any situations you are in with a sense of your higher self. This mystical wisdom will set you on a higher path, beyond small worries or material things.
Many mystic elders advise meditating and engaging with your third eye if you come across a black feather. Work through any distractions and try to zone in on your focused higher self.
As humans are constantly learning, growing, and evolving, do not be discouraged if you cannot get the hang of meditation right away. All that matters is that you are practicing as often as you can and devoting yourself to learning.
4. The Divine
The black feather is widely considered to be a symbolic representation of the divine spirit looking down on you. However you practice your own spirituality, whatever you interpret to be a divine figure can be applied to this interpretation.
What this means for you is that you are connecting with your spiritual self, and acting in a way that is in line with those values.
If you are seeing black feathers in a dream, or feeling anxiety after seeing a black feather, it may be a message from your higher self that you are not connected to that version of you. If this is the case, do not panic.
The feather is there to serve as a friendly and gentle reminder that you need to work on that part of you. By meditating, and doing things that serve you and your own version of spirituality you will feel more at ease and at one with yourself.
Read More: The Symbolism of Feathers Explained
5. Warning from Ancestors
In many native Indigenous groups, a spiritual connection to their ancestors is ever-present in their everyday life. It is considered that dreaming of black feathers is a warning sign from your ancestors.
If you are having recurrent dreams about black feathers or coming across depictions of black feathers repeatedly, spend some time assessing your current situation.
Maybe you are in a tumultuous relationship, maybe you are about to sign on to complete a degree you know deep down you don’t want to do.
Whatever it is, think carefully about the choices you are making and try to understand if they are going to result in your happiness.
Try reaching out to older family members, or any Indigenous elders around you for guidance on how to connect with your ancestors. Depending on your culture, there may be many rituals and ways in which you can feel more connected and guided by those who have gone before you.
Birds that may Drop Black Feathers and their Symbolism
Conclusion
Black feathers most often represent wisdom and knowledge, though they are also thought to represent divinity and protection.
If you see a black feather in your day-to-day life, it may be a sign that someone up there is looking out for you, whether that’s a divine being or the souls of your ancestors.
I’m Chris and I run this website – a resource about symbolism, metaphors, idioms, and a whole lot more! Thanks for dropping by.