When you think of a spirit animal you will think about most animals but hardly the chickens. The common domestic kitchen might not seem like a spirit animal but this feathered bird has always been present for centuries.
Chickens were actually first domesticated as early as 8000 B.C and they were commonly used for rituals and sport than for food.
Things like cock-fighting happened a lot. There is a lot of symbolism, folklore, myths and spiritual aspects surrounding chicken.
Chicken Symbolism And Meaning
The chicken has a lot of symbolism surrounding it. Some of it is as follows:
Cowardice
Often, chicken are usually associated with cowardice and in many cultures people refer to people who lack courage as chicken or chicken-hearted. It is believed that chicken are not daring and they always run at the slightest sign of danger.
People who don’t take risks or prefer to run away than face their adversaries or the real issues affecting them in life are also seen as cowards and will often be referred to as chicken.
Foolishness, Paranoia and Anxiety
Chicken are also linked to wimpyness, panic , foolishness and paranoia because most chicken seemly exhibit such mannerisms.
There even stories depicting chicken in this manner where seeds were used to trap chicken into a snare and how at the slightest sign of danger, the chicken will run away.
Precious Things
Chickens have also been a symbol of great things, benefits or fortunes There is the phrase, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch,” used to depict great potential fortunes.
This is used to warn people not to count great fortunes before they attain them because they might end up being disappointed. Chickens in this case are a symbol of precious things or great benefits.
Confidence And Pride
Chickens especially cocks are usually a symbol of pride, popularity and confidence. The cock has often been used to described someone who is popular and on top of their game.
The cock has also been used to describe a proud person who loves being a leader and on top among their peers.
It could also be a symbol of someone who thinks highly of themselves and makes everyone in their surroundings aware of their superiority.
The phrase, “cock of the walk” has been used to describe such people or “cocksure” to describe someone overly confident.
Inevitable Consequences
The chicken could also be a symbol used to refer to unpleasant consequences of someone’s actions.
The phrase, “all chickens have come home to roost,” could mean that negative consequences of the actions of someone have caught up with them.
The chicken’s symbol in this case is especially evident when the suffering of a person is public knowledge.
Gendered Meanings
Chickens also have strong gendered meanings. The roosters are often associated with lust, virility, aggression and masculinity.
The hens on the other hand are linked to feminine traits such as maternal care, domesticity, protective instinct and most feminine things.
Chicken Symbolism In Christianity
The bible has also depicted the chicken in Mathew 23:37 where Jesus talks of a mother hen’s watchful and nurturing love for her chicks.
This example was to indicate how Jesus felt towards the people of Israel. Therefore the hen according to Christian iconography is a strong symbol of maternal love and Christ-like sacrifice.
Celtic Symbolism Of Chicken
There are Irish idioms that refer to chickens and most of them center on womanhood or femininity. The rooster also happens to be the continental Celtic people’s symbol.
Gaul which was translated from the Latin word Gallus means rooster. To date Gallic roosters still remains the symbol of France.
Chicken Omens And Encounters
Encountering a chicken is a very powerful omen. During ancient times, the chicken was used in fortune telling and it is believed to guide and inform humans about hidden future things.
Meeting a large group of chickens is a sign of abundance , prosperity and abundance. It could mean that you will get good harvest in your future.
Meeting a hen with eggs or chicks is a positive omen of fertility. If you are couple trying to conceive, then this is a lucky sign. You might be successful in conceiving finally.
Encountering a rooster is a sign of a great challenge that will come ahead. You should not fear challenges because they are great opportunities to not only prove yourself but to be stronger than you are currently.
The same way a cocksure rooster never backs off from challenges should be the same way that you should face your challenges head on.
Chicken Spirit Animal
The chicken spirit animal is a down to earth and very humble creature. However never mistake the chicken’s humility for weakness. The chicken spirit animal is grounded and blessed with a lot of clear-sightedness and perspective.
The chicken spirit animal is well aware of what they want and who they are and will never be carried away by flights of fancy.
People with this spirit animal usually seek a simple life which appeals to them compared to the lavish luxuries. They hold fast on to traditional ideals even at the risk of being labeled old fashioned.
People with this spirit animal are also known to be honest and are usually blunt in their opinions and sometimes they might get into trouble because of their headstrong nature.
People with this spirit animal are extroverts and love being the center of attention. They are far from shy even though they seem reserved.
When the time is right they will always exude that quiet effortless confidence and they will know exactly when to show off to the world.
The chickens continue to play a major role in human cultures. They are nourishment, symbols of many things as we have seen above and there is no doubt that their existence has had a major influence in the history of mankind.
Most cultures today continue to rely on chicken and not just as symbols, but even as spiritual offerings and nourishment.
The omens and symbolism surround this feathered fowl continue to thrive in today’s world as it was in the ancient times.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article !