Willis

Native American Folklore

The owl, with its piercing gaze and silent flight, is a Spirit Animal of deep symbolism.

Owl holds a unique place in Native Folklore, being associated with many beliefs and spiritual practices, from a wise and mystical creature to an omen of death. The Owl’s nocturnal nature and its eerie, haunting call have led many Native people to associate Owl with death and transition.

In the realm of spirit animals, Owl is known for its keen sight and profound wisdom. Owl is a symbol of knowledge and intuition. In shamanic practices, Owl is often called upon for its ability to see what others cannot.

Seeing Owl in dreams is a significant event in many Tribes, as it is seen as a messenger from the spirit world. Owl, a symbol of wisdom and knowledge, is believed to bring insights and revelations into dreams.

Hearing Owl call holds great significance to Native peoples. Owl’s call, often heard in the quiet of the night, is considered direct communication from the spirit world. It is a sound that resonates with the deep wisdom and mystical knowledge that Owl symbolizes. To some Native people Owl’s call is seen as a warning or a prophecy urging the listener to be alert and aware.

Encounters with Owl in Native traditions are profound experiences, filled with symbolic meanings. Whether it’s seeing Owl in dreams, in flight, perched, or hearing it call, these encounters are opportunities to experience the wisdom and insights that Owl represents.

Amongst the Navajo, Owl it is seen as a symbol of death and is believed to be an omen of impending danger or misfortune.

In Hopi folklore, the Burrowing Owl, called Ko’ko, is considered a god of the dead and the underworld.

The Zuni tribe views Owl as a symbol of wisdom and fertility, often associated with their goddess of fertility.

In Apache folklore, the “Big Owl” is a malicious and dangerous giant often used as a "bogeyman" in children's stories. Like other legendary Apache beings, Big Owl is sometimes described as having human form, like a man-eating ogre and other times animal form, like a great horned owl but large enough to carry off a child.

Hopi story tells of a beautiful maiden who was transformed into an owl by spirits to save her tribe from a terrible drought. The Owl Maiden, with her newfound wisdom and power, guided her people to a hidden water source, saving them from the harsh conditions. This story emphasizes the Owl’s role as a guide and protector.

Among the Yaquis there is a story of a very poor bird called Ku Bird. So poor was this little bird that it did not have a single feather on his whole body. One day he spoke to Owl, saying,

“Brother, do me a favor, help me to dress myself by lending me just a few of your feathers”.

Owl answered him. "Have no worry, I am going to ask all the birds to lend you one feather, that way you may clothe your whole body."

Each bird presented him with a feather. Everyone contributed until Ku's regalia was complete.

Ku Bird visited a spring where many birds came to visit. When the Ku Bird arrived all the birds surrounded him, they did not recognize him beneath his beautiful new plumage. He looked like a garden of flowers. Some called him the bird of a thousand colors, for he was so colorful with all his many feathers.

But within a year Ku disappeared and was never seen again, although all the birds searched for him.

To this day, Owl is still hunting for him. He searches and he calls Ku. That is why Owl sings: "Ku, Ku, Ku, Ku," nothing more.