The Spiritual Meaning Of Crows

What a crow symbolizes?

“Ravens and crows often—but not always—represent death,” explains Daniel P. Compora, Ph.D., an associate professor at the University of Toledo whose scholarly focus is on folklore and popular culture. (A group of crows is called a “murder,” after all.)

Some also consider crows to be messengers that are capable of existing between both worlds. “They represent spiritual law, the universal wisdom that the physical world must integrate,” says Cat Rambo, a sacred medicine and dreamwork expert.

This means that crows can be considered a good omen or a bad omen, depending on the number of crows and the context. “Seeing a single crow is often thought to be a bad omen, but seeing two could indicate good luck is coming,” says Compora. “Seeing three suggests impending change.”

He adds that these interpretations are not universal, and different cultures have their own unique perspectives on crows.

In Native American culture:

“Native Americans view them as messengers between the living and the dead,” says Compora. “Sometimes, they are depicted as tricksters.”

Maggie Wilson, an animal psychic medium and metaphysical expert who was trained by Indigenous leaders, adds that in Alaska, the Athapaskan people believe the raven (similar to the crow but slightly larger) is the creator of the world.

In mythology:

Crow appears as an important symbol in Norse and Roman mythology. “In Norse mythology, the God Odin has two crows that he sets free daily,” says Compora. The crows serve as Odin’s messengers.

“In Roman mythology, Apollo was noted to have a white crow who watched over his pregnant lover Delphos,” explains Wilson. “But when the crow brought bad news to Apollo, he turned black. This can be where the crow started getting a bad reputation.”

5 spiritual meanings behind the crow:

Sacred law

When you see a crow, it could be a sign that it’s time to reflect on your values and “sacred laws.”

“Sacred law is different from man’s law or the law created from religion,” says Rambo. She explains that a crow wants you to self-reflect when man’s rules or laws may not be aligned with sacred law or spiritual law. An example of sacred law can be our intuition when we know something isn’t right or in alignment.

Communication from the spiritual realm

Crows are often associated with death and considered messengers from the other side. “Crows are considered an intermediary between this world and the spirit world,” says Rambo.

Change

“The crows fly with the wind in a way that some have predicted weather changes, such as tornadoes and rain,” says Wilson. “[They symbolize that] the winds of change will blow into your life and you’ll have to adjust the way you’re flying.”

Death

Sometimes crows can represent death in a literal or figurative sense. “Crows can be an omen of change,” says Rambo. “Sometimes an omen of death.” But death doesn’t have to be scary: “Change always asks for the death of something and a rebirth of something new,” she adds.

A clean home

On a lighter note, crows can also symbolize clean living spaces, says Wilson. “The male and the female build the home together high up for protection and are kept incredibly clean.” She suggests that if you meditate on the symbolism of the crow, you may walk away with more respect for your health and house.