Updated 2021.12.08 and just as an FYI, this post contains affiliate links.

Finding feathers on the ground in nature can be a very cool thing, and what a relief a found feather can bring during a time of stress.

When thinking about the symbolism of finding a feather, all one has to do is look to the quote,

When Feathers Appear, Angels Are Near!

This saying started appearing online sometime in 2015, and it says a lot about the meaning of finding a feather outside of the molting season.

Spotting feathers and other types of animal parts either in the woods, on your property, or dropped on the trail right in your path can be quite an extraordinary experience - and most of the time, stopping to inspect them and photograph them is encouraged and legal.

Feathers generally symbolize angels

When finding a feather during a time of stress, you're most certainly going to read about feathers being symbolism from Angels.

Angels = sky gods = birds = symbols of sky gods

Feather symbolism can be related to feeling free. The air, claircognizant, and mind related freedom available, since feathers are usually a symbol of wind and air.

Even though most people believe feathers are signs from Angels, to fully figure out what a feather sign might mean to you when it appears, we can look at other factors. 

When determining a feather's meaning, think about

• Color

• Species

• The location of the find

• The timing of the find - other synchronicities at play

These other details go into the meaning behind the sign.

The color of the feather, the bird species, the location, and the timing of your find will help determine what message is being delivered to you when you found it. 

Feather colors

The color of the feather you find can have meaning, too.

A list of colors for symbolism can be found in the blog Angels & Colors: 7 Most Common Angel Light Colors Symbolism, but in general:

• White is a common feather sign and often associated with Angels, light, relief on the way

• Black is associated with yin, the moon, and intuition, and often associated with embracing mystery and Ancestors

• All other bird feather colors and species of the bird symbolizes something. For example, blue can mean communication.

A multicolored feather, like Peacock, often symbolizes unity, oneness, harmony, beauty, or joy.

Bird species

The species of the bird feather can provide deeper symbolism.

The bird species, with crow, raven, hawk, turkey, and blue jay being specifically symbolic, can also tell you what the find means and why it appeared at this specific time.

If you aren't sure what species of feather you have, check out the Feather Atlas to identify your feather.

Then, the bird species and the symbolism can be found in a guide such as:

Then finally, when you found the feather or when the feather found you, the location and timing also matter.

Where you were when you found it

The location and timing of your find can hold additional meaning to the symbolism of your feather.

• What were you doing when you found the feather?

• What were you thinking about?

• How long had you been searching for this feather (if you had been)?

• What had just happened when you received it?

• If it was a gift, who gave it to you?

• If you found it while visiting somewhere, what was the purpose of your intended visit?

You can use all of this information to narrow down the meaning of your feather sign's message.

What does seeing one feather mean?

Usually, it is a sign of support or good luck.

In most cases, physical signs like a feather sign are reassurance messages from the Divine. After that, you'll want to dive deeper into the species, the color, and the sign's timing to know what the message is.

They are often positive signs that everything is going to be okay about whatever you were thinking about or just focused on.

Feathers can also symbolize that the experience you're going through when you find it, is significant in your soul's growth and will bring balance

If you've been looking for this particular feather for a while, this is another positive sign.

Ready to try determining the meaning of a feather you found?

Here's an example of how to determine the meaning of using all the symbolism. 

For example, to determine the meaning of a black crow feather right as you are making a change in your life, you might infer like this:  

Black is a positive, warm color and can signify new starts due to it representing the absence of all that is.

This color is often related to the unknown or the moon side of life. The message may come from the deceased, because black can represent the underworld, compared to white feathers which typically signify angel messages.

Now on to species. Crow feathers are often signs of protection and intelligence. They can be a signal that it's time to use your cunning abilities to make a change.

This is a sign to me that this energy is with you to solve the situation; you are protected and have moon energy with you.

So, that's just an idea of how one might break down the meaning of finding a feather and how significant the find is to you, using all the key points above. 

Now try it for the symbolism of a white, downy feather -

The meaning of feathers can be seen as a form of inductive divination, like tea leaf readings or runes. Still, it's fun, and you always learn about wildlife whenever you determine the meaning of their signs.

Sometimes, found animal parts are just a pretty gift from nature - but other times it is indeed more than that. 

So, if you believe your feather sign is more than that, as I often do, use these tools to figure out the more profound meaning.

to recap

• Feathers can be physical signs from above, which you can receive as a message from their ancestors, angels, or otherworldly sources. 

• Feather signs frequently appear as positive support or as confirmation, validation of a choice

• Their deeper meaning can change by evaluating the color, the bird the feather came from, and when you found it.

As with all things, life and the meaning we evoke from it change when we add our unique perception to it.

Finding feathers is a fun way to dive into symbolism while gaining a deeper understanding of our environment, and developing a greater reverence for the world.

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Other Articles You May Enjoy: 

• Pileated Woodpecker Symbolism

• Bird Signs - What They Symbolize & How To Identify A Bird Sign

• Signs From Spirit - Does My Father Visit Me As A Cardinal?

• 4 Tips To Improve Your Animal Communication Abilities

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