Discover 4 Meanings and Signs of Seeing a Vulture

Himalayan griffin vulture
iStock.com/artush

Written by Kristin Hitchcock

Updated: July 12, 2023

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Vulture Sightings infographic
Vulture sightings often represent purification, rebirth, death, transformation, knowledge, wisdom, and resourcefulness.

Vultures have several different meanings and interpretations depending on their context and culture. Western societies often see them as negative, largely because they often feed on dead animals. However, in other cultures, these large birds have different meanings. Below, we’ll explore four major signs of seeing a vulture.

1. Purification & Rebirth

Phoenix

Like the phoenix (pictured above), vultures represent purification and rebirth.

Vultures are often associated with purification and rebirth, as they literally purify the earth from dead and dying things. Vultures may be a sign that you need to cleanse your mind and body from negative and toxic influences. For this reason, they represent new beginnings, as well.

Vultures may represent transforming something unpleasant or bad into something good. They may indicate a need to find the “good side” of a situation.

Vultures feed on dead animals and turn them into energy and life. They literally transmute death into life. Therefore, they may indicate that you need to transform something dead in your life into a source of growth and energy.

Seeing a vulture can also indicate that you are undergoing a spiritual transformation or awakening that will help you discover your true self and purpose. The vulture can guide you to let go of old patterns and beliefs that no longer serve you and embrace new opportunities for healing and renewal.

2. Death & Transformation

A photographic illustration of a swallowtail butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. On the left side of the frame is an immature chrysalis hanging from a green limb that stretches across the frame. To the right of the immature green chrysalis is a little more mature brown and yellow chrysalis. To the right of that chrysalis is a chrysalis with a butterfly emerging from it. The butterfly is yellow black and orange in it still appears to be a little damp. To its right is a butterfly almost fully emerged from the chrysalis. And to its right is a butterfly that is on the stem and completely out of its chrysalis.

A vulture can indicate that you are undergoing a significant transition or transformation in your life.

As you can probably guess, vultures are also associated with death and renewal. However, this isn’t inherently negative. Vultures can also help you understand the cycle of life and death, allowing you to see it as inevitable and necessary. Vultures may represent this cycle at any of its points.

Seeing a vulture can also indicate that you are undergoing a significant transition or transformation in your life and that you need to embrace it with courage and optimism. The vulture can guide you to let go of old grudges or regrets and move forward with purpose and clarity.

Vultures may also help you go through a phase of renewal. They don’t shy away from death, and they often teach us that we shouldn’t, either.

3. Knowledge and Wisdom

Statues of ancient gods Zeus and Athena.

Vultures may indicate that you have access to ancient wisdom and spiritual insight.

While vultures may not usually be associated with knowledge, they are sometimes seen as representations of mental abilities. They may be a sign to trust your inner guidance when making an important decision in your life.

Vultures have an excellent sense of sight, which allows them to spot food from great distances. Their heightened intuition makes them a powerful ally when you’re trying to make a decision.

Seeing a vulture can also indicate that you are being called to pursue knowledge and spiritual growth. They may be telling you that you have access to ancient wisdom and spiritual insight that can be shared with those who seek it.

They can guide you to consider a higher perspective in life.

4. Resourcefulness

Ruppells Griffon Vulture close-up

Vultures are extremely adaptable and can find food in places others cannot.

Vultures are extremely resourceful. They do eat dead things, after all. Therefore, they may also indicate that you need to find a creative solution to your problem.

You’ll find vultures throughout the world, which highlights their resourcefulness. They’re extremely adaptable and can find food in places others cannot.

Therefore, seeing a vulture may indicate that you need more flexibility in your own life. They can guide you to being innovative and efficient in any situation.


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About the Author

Kristin is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering dogs, cats, fish, and other pets. She has been an animal writer for seven years, writing for top publications on everything from chinchilla cancer to the rise of designer dogs. She currently lives in Tennessee with her cat, dogs, and two children. When she isn't writing about pets, she enjoys hiking and crocheting.

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