What Does It Mean When You See a Falcon?

Falcons are known as the “king of birds”—these impressive hunters have incredibly sharp vision and can dive at speeds of over 200 mph (320 km/h). They’re inspiring, but what does it mean if you’re seeing them everywhere or you can’t stop dreaming about them? We talked to dream interpreter and spiritual adviser Pam Muller and psychic medium Kelly Ferguson to help you figure it out.

What do falcons mean spiritually?

Dream interpreter and spiritual adviser Pam Muller says that if you dream of a falcon, it might actually be a spiritual guide trying to call your attention to something important. If you see a falcon, it could be a sign to stay focused on your goals, or it could mean you’re being protected.

Section 1 of 8:

Spiritual Meaning of Falcons

Download Article

1
Vision, focus, and perception Falcons’ eyesight is so powerful that they can spot prey from up to 2 mi (3.2 km) away.^{[1]
X
Research source} “They see from above, but they can zoom in on the minutiae,” says Muller.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Pam Muller
Dream Interpreter and Certified Spiritual Advisor

Expert Interview} As a spiritual symbol, falcons often represent metaphorical vision, such as:
- Clear thinking and the ability to envision your goals
- Perspective, or the ability to see everything that is going on around you
- The need to step back from a situation to get a better view
- Aligning your ambitions with your heart’s desires
- Foresight and discernment
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Pam Muller is a dream expert and certified spiritual director who specializes in Jungian psychology and Christian spirituality.

Kelly Ferguson is a psychic medium, shamanic healer, and founder of the Intuitive Empowerment Academy.
2
Determination, speed, and strength “Falcons are birds of prey—they’re fast, fierce, and surgically precise,” says Muller. “They have an intense, targeted energy, and they act with speed and precision.”^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Pam Muller
Dream Interpreter and Certified Spiritual Advisor

Expert Interview} In fact, when they’re diving, they can travel up to 242 mph (389 km/h) or more.^{[4]
X
Research source} Thanks to that power and speed, falcons are often used as a symbol of willpower and quick, decisive action.
- For instance, falcons may represent taking initiative and quickly moving toward your goals with unwavering dedication.
- They may also represent power, control, or a quest for perfection.
Advertisement
3
Strategy and wisdom When they’re hunting, falcons must quickly to the movements of their prey.^{[5]
X
Research source} They’re able to seize an opportunity when the time is right, relying on a combination of gut instinct and careful planning to guide them.
- Falcons remind us that we must maintain a balance between planning and action. If a falcon strikes recklessly or waits too long to dive, it will lose its prey.
4
Freedom and independence The soaring flight of falcons is a powerful reminder of freedom. They soar high above the land in search of prey, confident and self-reliant. As adults, falcons are usually solitary birds outside of mating season.^{[6]
X
Research source} This may be why they often represent independence.
- The freedom represented by a falcon’s flight can be a symbol of transformation, overcoming obstacles, or letting go of what holds you back.
5
Victory and success Thanks to their success as hunters, falcons are often seen as a symbol of overcoming obstacles. They represent digging deep to reach the limits of your potential. They may also be a sign of good luck or that an opportunity for positive change is coming.
- Just like falcons combine their focus, speed, and strategy to take down prey, we can overcome obstacles as long as we’re determined and keep working toward our goals.
6
Energy and life force Falcons are energetic hunters, with a streamlined body that allows them to hunt with powerful bursts of speed.^{[7]
X
Research source} Spiritually, falcons often represent solar energy and a bright, passionate life force.
- Falcons can be a sign to remind us to use our mental and physical energy more efficiently.
- They may also represent a push to act on our passions.
7
Messenger of the divine In many cultures, falcons are seen as a bridge between the spiritual and physical worlds. They may be a symbol of guidance or spiritual messages—either from your higher, inner self or even from a higher power beyond yourself.
- As a symbol, falcons may represent a transformation or personal growth.

Section 2 of 8:

Falcons as Animal Guide or Power Animal

Download Article

1
If you see the falcon as an animal guide, you may be fierce and independent. Animal guides (or spirit guides) often represent characteristics that we see in ourselves. You may feel a strong connection to falcons, or you may even see them appearing around you, either in person or depicted on TV, in pictures, on clothing, or more. If you feel that falcons are your animal guide, you may be:
- Focused
- Independent
- Strategic
- Energetic
- Territorial
- Proud
- Fearless
- Self-assured
2
Call on the falcon as a power animal if you need its guidance. If you admire the falcon and wish you embodied more of its traits, try channeling it as a power animal. Focus on the falcon as an embodiment of what you want to accomplish, and its example may help you manifest your goal. For example, you might look to the falcon to help you:
- Get clarity on what you want out of life
- Get perspective in complex situations by looking at it from a distance
- Rise above difficult challenges to reach your goals
- Act more decisively
- Be self-reliant
- Think more strategically
EXPERT TIP

Kelly Ferguson
Psychic Medium and Shamanic Healer
Kelly Ferguson is a respected Psychic Medium, Shamanic Healer, and Empowerment Coach based in Toronto, Canada. She is renowned for her highly accurate psychic and mediumship readings and has conducted thousands of private and group events. Her readings have earned her hundreds of 5-star reviews, and she was ranked the #1 Psychic on The Best of Toronto website for three years in a row. A lifelong natural psychic medium, Kelly mastered her abilities through years of self-guided exploration and firsthand experience with countless modalities, giving her unique insight into what truly works. As the founder of the Intuitive Empowerment Academy, Kelly specializes in helping others develop and enhance their intuitive abilities. Her insightful Psychic Quiz helps people identify their unique psychic strengths, and her acclaimed courses have guided hundreds of students to enhance and master their abilities, many of whom have gone on to become professional psychic mediums.

Kelly Ferguson
Psychic Medium and Shamanic Healer

Falcons can teach us about planning for the future. Falcons don’t look at things up close, they see from far away. That teaches us to look farther into the distance.

Section 3 of 8:

Symbolism of Different Types of Falcons

Download Article

Different types of falcons may represent different concepts or ideas. Birds often symbolize freedom, and falcons are no different. In addition, falcons often represent a solitary lifestyle, strategic hunting, and incredible focus. However, there may be slight variations in symbolism from one type of falcon to the next. For instance:
- Peregrine falcons: Travel, adventure, or freedom (their name means “wanderer” in Latin)
- White falcon: Purity or enlightenment^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
- Brown falcon: Stability, strength, and wisdom
- Black falcon: Spiritual awakening
- Kestrel: Prophecy^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
- Gyrfalcon: Strength and perseverance

Section 4 of 8:

What does it mean if you see a falcon?

Download Article

If you see a falcon, it could be a sign to stay focused on your goals. The meaning of a falcon in flight really depends on where you are in your life—do you feel held back? If so, the falcon might be a sign that you need to let go of what’s trapping you so that you can be free. On the other hand, if you’re actively pursuing a goal that’s important to you, the falcon may be a sign that you should stay focused and keep working toward your dream.
- If you see a falcon near you, it may be a sign that it’s protecting or guarding you. It can also be a sign of good luck.

Section 5 of 8:

What does it mean if you dream about a falcon?

Download Article

Dreaming about a falcon can be a sign to pay attention to something. Muller says, “If you dream of a falcon, it might be a spiritual guide telling you that you need to look closer.”^{[10]
X
Expert Source

Pam Muller
Dream Interpreter and Certified Spiritual Advisor

Expert Interview} Dreaming of a falcon may mean that you feel trapped by routine or other obligations, while inside you’re longing for the freedom to soar. This can be a sign that it’s time to make a change and to start manifesting the life you really want to live. It might also symbolize a connection with your inner self or the spiritual world.
- If you dream of a falcon flying, it may be a sign that you’ll be successful in your current goals
- If you dream of a pair of falcons, it can be a sign of partnership, cooperation, or romantic love—falcons mate for life.
- If you dream of a hunting falcon, it may be a sign of danger and that you should be vigilant.
- If you dream of a falcon that has caught prey and is feeding, it can be a good omen that you will soon have abundance.
- If you dream of a falconer’s hood, it can be a sign of relaxation or trust, or that you’re oblivious to something happening around you.

Section 6 of 8:

Mythological & Cultural Symbolism of Falcons

Download Article

Falcons play a significant role in a number of cultures. Sometimes they’re used as a symbol of deities, while other times, they’re used as status symbols or signs of war. Here are some cultures where falcons are prominent:
- Egyptian: Falcons are associated with Ra, the sun god, and Horus, the god of the sky and war. Egyptian priests also watched the flight of falcons for omens.^{[11]
  X
  Research source}
- Norse: The goddess Freya and Odin’s wife Frigg were both said to have cloaks of falcon feathers so they could fly. Vikings used falcons for hunting in the Middle Ages.^{[12]
  X
  Research source}
- Medieval Europe: Falconry was popular in Medieval times; falcons also became associated with romance, nobility, and chivalry in Medieval literature.^{[13]
  X
  Research source}
- Native Americans: First peoples of the Mississippi region often decorated capes and masks to look like the peregrine falcon and believed they were associated with forces like thunder and wind.^{[14]
  X
  Research source}
- Japanese: Japanese samurai and nobles used falcons for hunting between the 17th and 19th centuries.^{[15]
  X
  Research source}

Section 7 of 8:

Falcon Symbolism in Astrology

Download Article

Falcons appear in both Native American and Celtic animal astrology. In both cultures, the zodiac signs were associated with animals of the natural world. (Celtic tradition also has a tree chart that’s more commonly used than the animal chart.) Here’s what falcons represent in these astrology charts:
- Native American (March 21–April 19): People born under this sign are said to be strong leaders with excellent strategy and perspective.^{[16]
  X
  Research source}
- Celtic (November 25–December 23): People born under this sign are said to be ambitious, visionary, and intuitive.^{[17]
  X
  Research source}

Section 8 of 8:

Falcon Tattoo Meanings

Download Article

Falcon tattoos often represent freedom and independence. Someone with this tattoo may be confident, strategic, and perceptive. They may especially admire the falcon’s free, soaring flight or ferocious hunting skills. The tattoo may also symbolically represent their goals.
- Someone with a falcon tattoo may be especially introverted, so they may need more alone time than others.
- While falcon tattoos may represent specific ideas, you don't have to identify with these interpretations in order to have a falcon tattoo of your own. If you have a falcon tattoo (or want to get one), you get to decide what it means for you. It’s okay if it doesn’t mean exactly the same thing as it would for someone else.