What Is the Spiritual Meaning of a Raven?

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Discover the symbolic interpretations of encountering a raven
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When you think of ravens, you probably imagine a gothic or spooky image. In fact, ravens have such an ominous reputation that a flock of them are called “an unkindness.” [1] Though you might associate ravens with Halloween decorations, witches, and warlocks, many cultures actually view ravens in a completely different light. If you’re curious about the symbolic meanings of ravens, you've come to the right place! We’ve compiled a complete guide on the meanings of ravens, whether you’ve encountered a raven in your waking life, saw one in a dream, or simply feel a connection with them.

Things You Should Know

  • In many cultures and spiritual traditions, ravens symbolize intelligence, resourcefulness, spiritual insight, and psychic abilities.
  • Ravens have also been associated with the darker side of life. In popular media, ravens are gothic symbols of the afterlife, death, Halloween, and the occult.
  • Dreaming of a raven could be a sign that a fraud will be revealed, or an injustice will be made right. It could also be a sign that you're struggling with anxiety.
Section 1 of 3:

What does a raven symbolize?

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  1. Ravens are part of the corvid family, and they are a known to be very intelligent birds. [2] If you’ve been encountering ravens in your life, it could be a sign that you’re deeply wise and intellectual. [3] This goes for worldly intelligence, but it also extends to spiritual insight. If you feel a deep affinity for ravens, it could be a sign that your wisdom and understanding are leading you to spiritual enlightenment.
  2. Ravens are incredibly adaptable and are able to thrive in hectic urban environments. They’ve traditionally gotten a bad rap for eating carrion (the flesh of dead animals), but this represents the raven’s ability to make do with what they have and survive even in scarcity. [4] If ravens have been appearing to you, it could be a sign that you possess the same resilience. You can make the best of any situation, even when you have limited resources. [5]
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  3. Many believe that ravens are deeply connected with psychic ability, magic, and the occult. In illustrations, they’re sometimes depicted with a third eye, representing their ability to see beyond material reality. If you feel a deep affinity for ravens, you might also possess these psychic gifts.
    • In George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones , Bran Stark sees a mysterious, prophetic three-eyed raven in his dreams. [6]
    • Ravens are also commonly depicted as the companions of witches, wizards, and magicians in popular media.
    • If you think you might have some hidden psychic abilities, explore the tarot or work on developing your intuition to get in touch with your mystical side!
  4. Ravens are traditionally associated with death. This is probably due to the fact that they are carrion birds, meaning they feed on the flesh of dead animals. [7] They also appear often on Halloween decorations, and in scary TV shows and movies. [8] With all this in mind, some believe that an encounter with ravens could suggest a message from beyond the grave. However, if this is unsettling to you, don’t worry! At the end of the day, ravens are common birds (and coming across them is completely normal). [9]
    • Edgar Allen Poe’s poem, “The Raven,” is one of the most famous gothic representations of the animal.
    • In the poem, the speaker is lamenting the loss of his late lover, Lenore, when a mysterious raven appears to him. The raven can speak, but it repeatedly utters only one word: “Nevermore.”
    • The poem portrays the raven as an ominous creature symbolizing grief and mystical knowledge. [10]
  5. Though some people find ravens spooky or unsettling, others view their connection to death in a more positive light. In a spiritual sense, death is related to transformation. In other words, the appearance of a raven could symbolize a metamorphosis. You might be undergoing the “death” of your old self in order to become someone new. This could be a sign that you need to let go of things that have occurred in your past in order to embrace change and grow.
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Section 2 of 3:

What does it mean to dream about a raven?

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  1. Because ravens are commonly depicted as omens of bad luck and misfortune, dreaming of one could indicate that you’re worried about the future. [11] If you’ve been dealing with increased anxiety lately, you’re not alone. Helpful practices like mindfulness can soothe some of your symptoms, and therapy or counseling can help you heal.
    • Practicing mindfulness involves staying aware of your thoughts, feelings, sensations, and surroundings on a moment-by-moment basis. This helps you stay in the present moment, and it can reduce anxious or depressed feelings. [12]
    • Try out meditation to get started with a mindful lifestyle.
      • First, find a quiet place to sit or lie down.
      • Focus on what you’re experiencing and feel the flow of your breath.
      • Let any thoughts that come up pass without judgment. [13]
    • Ask a trusted friend or family member for a referral if they work with a therapist, or check online directories to choose the right therapist for you. [14]
      • Take your time researching and contacting potential therapists before making your choice. It can take some time to find the right match!
  2. If you felt afraid of the raven in your dream, this could be a sign that you will discover a fraud in your life. [15] Someone you trust might not be truthful in the way they’re portraying themselves. The raven could be warning you to keep an eye out for any dishonesty or disingenuous dealings.
  3. If you see a dead raven in a dream, it might be that someone in your life has wronged you recently. The dead raven foretells that this person will be brought to justice, and the truth will be revealed. [16] If someone close to you has treated you poorly, things could be set right sooner than you think!
  4. Ravens are adaptable, resourceful, and resilient. If you’re dreaming of a raven, it could be encouraging you to embody this resourcefulness and creative-thinking to tackle the problems you're facing in life. [17] The curious, scavenging, problem-solving nature of ravens may be exactly what you need to come up with unexpected solutions.
  5. If you were conversing with a raven in your dream, this could be a positive sign. You could hear some unexpected happy news in the near future! Specifically, if someone you know has been struggling with their health, this dream could be a sign of healing and a good prognosis for their illness. [18]
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Section 3 of 3:

Raven Meaning in Different Cultures

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  1. You might know Apollo as the Greek god of the sun, but he was also heavily associated with prophecy, divination, and oracles. [19] With this in mind, it makes sense that Apollo was associated with ravens, who carry quite a bit of mystical and prophetic energy of their own.
  2. The Raven is an important guardian spirit to many Native American tribes in the Pacific Northwest. [20] It is seen as both a Trickster whose rash actions can cause trouble, and a hero who is capable of great deeds. [21] In this culture, Tricksters are not necessarily bad—some are harmless, helpful, or even heroic—but they are unpredictable and a bit mischievous.
  3. The “Yatagurasu,” portrayed as a crow or raven with 3 legs, is a symbol of the divine and of Japan itself. [22] This majestic creature represents divine intervention and benevolent guidance from above. [23]
  4. Many believe that the Tower of London, a fortress on the River Thames built 1,000 years ago, will remain secure as long as its resident ravens are there. [24] This legend began with King Charles II, who was reportedly the first monarch to claim that the tower (and kingdom itself) would crumble if anything happened to the ravens. [25]
    • To this day, six ravens are kept at the tower of London at all times for their legendary powers of protection. [26]
  5. The god Bran served as a protector of Britain, and his totem was a raven. Legend states that Bran’s head was cut off and buried beneath the Tower Hill near the Tower of London, but his detached head was still able to speak words of prophecy. [27]
  6. According to legend, ravens were associated with The Morrigan, goddess of chaos. Though she was seen as a fearsome war goddess, she was also known to be benevolent toward the people who earned her favor. Many believed that her protection could determine who would be victorious in conflicts. [28]
  7. They were associated with deity Branwen, a benevolent goddess who was regarded to be the queen of white ravens, love, and beauty. [29] She was known for her gentleness and compassion. [30]
  8. According to legend, a pair of ravens named Hugin (thought) and Munin (memory) brought news to the god Odin, who was also called the Raven God. In this context, ravens were important carriers of information, and they were capable of imparting spiritual wisdom. [31]
  9. In the book of Job in the Bible, God tells Job to look at the ravens, who He provides food for when they are searching for food. In this context, ravens are used to metaphorically represent God’s promise to provide for all living creatures. [32]
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  • Question
    What does a raven, or even its skull, symbolize in terms of personal growth and opportunities?
    Mari Cartagenova
    Psychic Medium & Animal Communicator
    Mari Cartagenova is a Psychic Medium & Animal Communicator based in Westford, Massachusetts. Mari has been seeing and speaking to Spirits since she was a child, and she loves to share her psychic gifts and abilities to help others. She specializes in mediumship, intuitive psychic guidance, past life or soul reading, and animal communication. Mari is the 2019 Award-Winning Best American Psychic and a Certified Advanced Spirit Worker.
    Mari Cartagenova
    Psychic Medium & Animal Communicator
    Expert Answer
    While many associate ravens, especially their black color, with negative meanings, they are very intelligent creatures. Ravens are known for cunning and resourcefulness. Symbolically, a raven or its skull represents spiritual growth, transformation and new opportunities. If you come across raven symbolism, it may indicate that even if you're going through a challenging phase, there's potential for growth and new beginnings ahead. Just as a raven navigates obstacles, you too can make your way through challenges, leading to new opportunities and personal growth. It's important to stay perceptive and open to the lessons and chances around you.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://birdfact.com/articles/why-is-a-group-of-ravens-called-an-unkindness
      2. ↑ https://worldbirds.com/raven-symbolism/
      3. ↑ https://trustedpsychicmediums.com/spirit-animals/raven-spirit-animal/
      4. ↑ https://worldbirds.com/raven-symbolism/
      5. ↑ https://trustedpsychicmediums.com/spirit-animals/raven-spirit-animal/
      6. ↑ https://treesforlife.org.uk/into-the-forest/trees-plants-animals/birds/raven/
      7. ↑ https://worldbirds.com/raven-symbolism/
      8. ↑ https://birdfact.com/articles/why-is-a-group-of-ravens-called-an-unkindness
      9. ↑ https://worldbirds.com/raven-symbolism/
      1. ↑ https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48860/the-raven
      2. ↑ https://worldbirds.com/raven-symbolism/
      3. ↑ https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/mindfulness/definition
      4. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/meditation/in-depth/meditation/art-20045858
      5. ↑ https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/finding-good-therapist
      6. ↑ https://www.dreamglossary.com/r/raven/
      7. ↑ https://thepleasantdream.com/dreaming-of-a-raven/
      8. ↑ https://worldbirds.com/raven-symbolism/
      9. ↑ https://thepleasantdream.com/dreaming-of-a-raven/
      10. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Apollo-Greek-mythology
      11. ↑ https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/trickster
      12. ↑ http://www.native-languages.org/legends-raven.htm
      13. ↑ https://worldbirds.com/raven-symbolism/
      14. ↑ https://traditionalkyoto.com/culture/figures/crows/
      15. ↑ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/tower-london-reveals-newest-royal-ravens-name-180977791/
      16. ↑ https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/whats-on/the-ravens/#gs.j7o44d
      17. ↑ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/tower-london-reveals-newest-royal-ravens-name-180977791/
      18. ↑ https://treesforlife.org.uk/into-the-forest/trees-plants-animals/birds/raven/
      19. ↑ https://worldbirds.com/raven-symbolism/
      20. ↑ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/tower-london-reveals-newest-royal-ravens-name-180977791/
      21. ↑ https://feminismandreligion.com/2014/07/30/branwen-welsh-goddess-of-love-and-beauty/
      22. ↑ https://treesforlife.org.uk/into-the-forest/trees-plants-animals/birds/raven/
      23. ↑ https://worldbirds.com/raven-symbolism/

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