Filed under: Egyptian, Native American, animal symbolism, animal totems, nature, new age, shamanism, spirituality, symbolism
The Heron or Egret is symbolic in many cultures.
In Egypt the Heron is honored as the creator of light. A double headed Heron in Egypt is symbolic of prosperity.
As a Chinese symbol the Heron represents strength, purity, patience and long life.
In Africa, the Heron was thought to communicate with the Gods.
Most Native American tribes took note of the heron’s inquisitiveness, curiosity and determination. As such this set the heron as a symbol of wisdom in that this creature seemed to have good judgement skills.
Specifically, the Iroquois tribe held the blue heron as a very good omen, a very lucky sign. They recongnized the heron as an expert fisher/hunter. As such, they believed that sighting a heron before a hunt was a sign that the hunt would be a good one.
As a water creature the heron is also a symbol of going with the flow, and working with the elements of Mother nature rather than struggling against her.
The heron is a beautiful creature, exhibiting grace, and noble stature. It’s no wonder the Native Indians and ancients honored the heron throughout the centuries.
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To me, the great blue heron is a marker for the Goddess. Usually when I see one more than once, it means I am where I am because SHE put me there. Very cool stuff.
D~
Comment by donna April 21, 2008 @ 3:11 amMy husband and I awoke in our new home after sleeping here for the first time. We came downstairs, and there on our patio was a white heron, just standing there in the morning sun. After several seconds, she flew away. We’ve been here 4 months now, and haven’t seen her since. What a beautiful welcome!
Comment by karen April 24, 2008 @ 9:19 pmhi there recently i have visited a place called Cardross in Scotland; it is situated on the River Clyde estuary near Glasgow; the first time i went to the beach there i saw 5 heron in the space of about 15mins; the second time i saw two and i was there yesterday with a friend and there were none when we arrived but by the time we left there were 7; is this a sign? i write about herons quite a lot in my poetry as do many well known poets like Kenneth White who has a heron on the front of his collected works; i feel this bird represents speech wether written down or spoken; can u tell me a little bit about its symbolism; thanks Graham
Comment by Graham May 19, 2008 @ 11:39 pmOn our way to Lake George and also coming home, I noticed several herons flying over us throughout the trip. That’s why I sought out this site- to find out what it could mean. I’m so excited that while driving through Iroquois territory, a bird held in such high esteem presented itself so often, as if relaying a message to us. Very very interesting.
Comment by Kees June 20, 2008 @ 10:39 am