From Feathers to Eggs: Symbolism & Spiritual Meaning of the Ostrich

Last Updated on September 26, 2025 by Avia

A friend from Canada emailed me about the recent plight of rescuing 400 ostriches at a remote farm in British Columbia, which face possible execution. Apalling. So, in my own way, I thought it would be prudent to lay out some heartfelt insights into the symbolic and spiritual meaning of the ostrich. But that’s no small feat. Ostrich energy is a mammoth download. But after meditating, pontificating, and (as always) scratching through my aged notes and books for solid research, I’ve concocted a fine feathered piece I think you’re gonna flap your wings over (at least, that’s the goal). And goddess help us, I hope these observations about this majestic creature inspire promising movement for our avian friends in Canada, B.C.

Oh, and thank you, Karen, for reaching out to me (without you, these timeless ostrich bits of wisdom might not have ever been published! *gasp*). So, without nary ado, let’s roll this beautiful bird footage!

Ostrich Symbolism at a Glance

As I mentioned, ostrich energy packs a whallop, and there’s a lot of symbolic whalloping to sort through concerning this long-legged phenom. In fact, I found myself getting a tad overwhelmed with all the gloriously ginchy bits of wisdom while writing this post, so, ultimately, I thought it best to break it down in an easy-to-gander chart. Here ya go!

Now that you have a quick reference, let’s drill down to the more finite details about spiritual meaning of the ostrich, shall we? I think you’re gonna love my findings about ostrich egg symbolism and the spiritual portent of ostrich feathers, and the myths, the legends, the lore, the ostrich dream meanings, oh my! Enough of my rambling. Let’s rock ‘n roll already! Tally ho!

Ostrich Egg Symbolism in Myth, Ritual & Alchemy

Which came first? The ostrich, or the egg? Haha! Couldn’t resist. Actually, I think kicking off the more intricate details of the spiritual meaning of the ostrich with egg symbolism is 100% apropos. Why? Cuz the egg is a beginning. All fresh, new, soft, smooth, and replete with potential. Let’s crack on (pardon the pun…can you tell I’ve been working on this into the wee hours of the morning? Heehee!) about the intriguing nuances of ostrich egg symbolism:

So, the ostrich egg is sorta like an ancient chalice of cosmic potential. Across cultures, this giant egg has been revered as a sacred object, representing rebirth, fertility, eternity, and the mystery of creation itself. When you hold the image of an ostrich egg in your mind’s eye, think “the womb of the world” (yup, it’s that big of a deal in terms of spiritual teachings through the ages).

Eggs in Ancient Rituals

Archaeologists have uncovered decorated ostrich eggs in Egyptian tombs, Mesopotamian temples, and Mediterranean burial sites. These eggs were often engraved, painted, or even plated in gold. Why? Because people believed the egg carried the power of protection and prosperity into the afterlife. Imagine that: the soul setting off on its eternal journey, nestled in the symbolic safety of an ostrich egg.

The Cosmic Egg Motif

In many mythologies, there’s a “world egg” or “cosmic egg” from which the universe itself was born. While not unique to the ostrich, the sheer size and durability of the ostrich egg made it a natural stand-in for this idea. It was the perfect metaphor for the universe incubating new realities, just waiting for the right conditions to crack open. I just love that.

Ostrich Eggs as Vessels of Life

In African desert traditions, ostrich eggs were hollowed out and used as water flasks. In a literal sense, they became vessels of life, holding the most precious resource in harsh climates. The spiritual meaning of the ostrich egg takes the symbolism even deeper. It reminds us that the egg is a symbol of birth, of course, and it’s also a representation of sustenance, survival, and carrying the sacred.

Alchemy & the Ostrich Egg Connection

In alchemical lore, the ostrich’s legendary stomach could “digest anything,” which made it a metaphor for powerful acids used in transmutation (acids that could strip metals to their essence and transform them into something more refined).

The ostrich egg fits right into this alchemical puzzle. Just as the stomach digests and transmutes, the egg contains and incubates. It’s the silent crucible, holding raw matter until it becomes transformed. In this way, the ostrich egg becomes a symbol of the alchemist’s vessel where ordinary substance is digested, transmuted, and reborn into gold. How keen is that!?

Ostrich Feather Symbolism in Myth, Magic & Meaning

If the ostrich egg is the cosmic womb, then the ostrich feather is the cosmic scale. From ancient Egypt to modern rituals, this feather has been a symbol of truth, balance, purity, and divine justice. Kinda like a spiritual yardstick. To illustrate, I’ve culled up dynamite insights about ostrich feathers that might pique your interest. Check it:

The Feather of Ma’at

In ancient Egyptian mythology, the goddess Ma’at wore an ostrich feather in her headdress. I guess some might call it fashion, but in truth, it was cosmic law. Egyptians believed that when someone died, their heart was placed on the Scales of Ma’at and weighed against her ostrich feather.

• If the heart is as light as the feather? Badabing, you got eternal paradise.
• If heavy with lies and wrongdoing? Not so feather-light…let’s just say your afterlife plans got messy.

The ostrich feather here is the standard of universal truth. It represents a soul that has lived in integrity, free of spiritual baggage.

Ostrich Feathers in Ritual & Protection

Ostrich feathers were used in rituals as symbols of justice and protection. Some African traditions saw the feather as a charm to ward off dishonesty or imbalance. In this sense, carrying or wearing an ostrich feather was like a spiritual insurance policy, aligning you with fairness and moral clarity.

Lightness of Being

Because feathers are naturally airy, the ostrich plume adds a layer of symbolic meaning about letting go of heaviness. Think about it: the world wants to weigh us down with worry, guilt, or fear. The ostrich feather whispers: “Release it. Stay light. Walk in truth, and you’ll float.”

Alchemy & the Feather’s Edge

While the ostrich stomach digests and the egg incubates in alchemical traditions, the feather measures. In spiritual alchemy, the idea is transformation with a goal to refine the soul. The ostrich feather meaning reminds us that every transformation must be tested: is it aligned with truth? Is it balanced? If not, it crumbles under its own weight.

The Least You Should Know About Ostrich Feather Meaning:

The ostrich feather is the spiritual emblem of:

• Truth (honesty with self and others)
• Justice (balance, fairness, accountability)
• Purity (lightness of soul, freedom from baggage)
• Protection (warding against deception or imbalance)

It’s a daily reminder that living feather-light means living fully aligned with your highest integrity. What about finding feathers (of any kind)? I’ve got answers for that too, have a lookie-loo at my post about the meaning of finding feathers on your path here.

Other Symbolic Ostrich Observations in Cultural Myths and Lore

And the ostrich greatest hits keep comin! See, I told you the symbolism and spiritual meaning of the ostrich was a heavy-duty prospect! Here’s more fine-feathered goodies I dug up for your edification (and spiritual education, for that matter!):

Ostrich in African Lore & Folklore

The ostrich shows up in stories as a bird of cleverness, survival, and teaching across Africa. Among the San people, ostriches were often teachers of fire and survival techniques. In some folktales, the ostrich feather was used in protective rituals, symbolizing justice and the ability to see clearly.

African lore often points to the ostrich’s habit of laying eggs in communal nests, which became a symbol of cooperation and community. In desert traditions, ostrich eggs were even used as water containers, yes, like literal vessels of life in the harshest climates.

The symbolic echo? The ostrich reminds us to value community, conserve resources, and honor the gifts of the earth…by the by…these are lessons we still need badly today.

Ostrich Symbolism in Biblical Lore

I mentioned this briefly in the Ostrich Symbolism At-A-Glance Chart (see above), but I think it bears elaboration. The ostrich pops up in the Bible, particularly in the Book of Job, where it’s described as a somewhat foolish creature that leaves its eggs unguarded. Some interpreters see this as a lesson about neglect, folly, or wasted opportunity. But others flip the script: the ostrich is actually a symbol of faith, trusting that nature, God, or the universe will safeguard what it leaves in the earth.

Either way, the ostrich in biblical lore embodies a spiritual challenge: are you neglecting what’s precious, or are you surrendering it with trust?

The Global Ostrich Tapestry

From Ma’at’s feather of truth to eggs as emblems of rebirth, to African stories of clever survival, bird myths and legends about the ostrich consistently reveal it as a guardian of life force and truth. This isn’t a coinkydink, sweet peeps. Across cultures, people saw (and hopefully still see) the same bawdy, bounding, beautiful bird and thought: “There’s something cosmic here.”  You bet there is.

How to Connect with the Ostrich Spirit Guide (Unorthodox Practices That Actually Work)

If you know anything about me, you know I’m rabid (in a good way) about journaling and meditation – especially when it comes to connecting with our spirit guides. However, we all know that writing soul notes and being mindful is the best way to bond. I feel it’s so overdone in terms of practices. Well, not overdone I just think everybody who has a spiritual blog says “do it” and that’s a wrap, when really there are so many more diverse practices to try. So, with that in mind (and remembering the spiritual meaning of the ostrich is highly remarkable & uncommon), I wanted to give you a few “out-of-the-coop” ideas to try when connecting with this regal bird (in addition to meditation & journaling). Let’s kick it:

The Two-Toe Walkabout

Kick off your shoes, wiggle your toes, and walk barefoot on earth. Here’s the ostrich twist: walk deliberately like you’ve only got two big toes. Imagine each step as stable, grounded, and simplified. This goofy-feeling walk brings you into ostrich balance and strips away excess, reminding you to simplify your path. Bonus points if you do it outside where neighbors might think you’ve lost it, teehee! (Ostrich says: “Own it.”)

Boom Like a Boss

Male ostriches make a deep, booming call that rattles the savannah. Channel this by practicing your own power sound. Find a private spot (car, shower, empty field) and bellow, hum, or roar until you feel the vibration in your chest. Don’t give one flip about hitting the notes. This is about releasing stuck energy and summoning your voice. Ostrich teaches: when you boom, the world listens.

The Ostrich Egg Project

Find something egg-shaped (a stone, a ball, a literal egg) and declare it your “ostrich egg.” This represents your biggest dream or project. Instead of scribbling about it in a journal, treat this egg like a sacred object: carry it, place it on your altar, or even paint it. Notice how tending to this symbolic egg shifts your awareness about patience, incubation, and bringing visions to life.

Boundary Kick Practice

Okay, no matter how tempting, we can’t go around kicking people in this ostrich practice. But you can set up a pillow, cushion, or punching bag and give it a symbolic ostrich kick when you need to reaffirm your boundaries. As you kick, say out loud: “No. This is my space. This is my truth.” Ostrich medicine is all about hidden strength, and nothing feels stronger than a good kick (just ask a lion who has been on the kick-ass end of a powerful ostrich strike. Yeehaw!).

The Ostrich Strut (my personal go-to!)

As one whose honorary Native name is “Woman Who Dances With Her Dogs,” this spiritual ostrich practice is my fave! I tried it out last night while in the middle of writing this article, and I tell ya…my dogs were sold on these moves! To explain, when ostriches court, they dance with wings out, necks bobbing, legs moving in dramatic rhythm. With this in mind, I want you to try your own ostrich strut dance when you’re feeling stuck or uninspired (or just because, or to freak out your dogs, lol!). Put on music, puff up like you’re the most fabulous bird alive, and strut around with as much pomp and braggadocio as you can muster. And to be clear…yes, it’s all fun and games, but it’s also a ritual. I rather think the best form of prayer is when it is done playfully. So, as your dancin’ & a’prancin’, consider the ostrich flapping right next to you and saying: “Show your colors, move your body, and attract joy.” 

Bonus tip: I strongly recommend doing this practice to Ray Charles’ “Shake A Tailfeather” tune. Here’s a clip of the jam from the Blues Brothers movie that actually illustrates some marvy tailfeather shaky moves. If that banger won’t stir up electric ostrich energy, I don’t know what will, IMO!  

Wide-Eyed Ostrich Vision Quest

Practice looking around with big-eyed awareness like the ostrich. Go outside, soften your gaze, and notice everything on the horizon at once: shifting leaves, darting birds, shadows, clouds. Ostrich energy is about long-range perception. Maybe even widen your physical eyes and envision your third eye gawping wide to behold all that is wild & wonderful in the world. This simple practice sharpens your intuition and helps you spot opportunities before they land in your lap.

BTW: Interestingly, there’s a movement in tai chi I learned in the 3rd set of Shyun style that instructs the student to lift the arms in a motion that mimics holding onto a bird’s tailfeathers while the bird takes off in flight, while opening the eyes wide. In this position, move your eyeballs (still open wide) to the left, and then to the right while looking down (as if marveling at the landscape below from the air). The movement (which is a modification of, not ironically here, “Grasp the Bird’s Tail”) is meant to reestablish harmony with your eyes’ cones & rods while also balancing spiritual sight. Try it! I think you’ll like it!   

The Communal Nest Experiment

As I mentioned earlier, ostriches build shared nests where everyone contributes. To connect with that vibe, create a communal “nest” space with friends, family, or even coworkers. It could be a shared meal where everyone brings something, a group vision board, or even a literal blanket nest on the floor where you brainstorm ideas together. The practice? Learning to thrive in community while honoring individuality (just like ostriches do with their eggs).

Ostrich in Dreams: What Your Subconscious Might Be Saying

You know me. I can’t resist interpreting a juicy dream, and the ostrich is a humdinger of a nighttime oracle! I rather think that if an ostrich lavishly lumbers into your dreamscape, it isn’t a rando thing. I think it’s your psyche slipping you a symbolic telegram. Here are my tips on decoding some potential ostrich dream scenarios:

• If you dream of a running ostrich…
  Your subconscious is waving the green flag: stop stalling. Momentum matters. This dream is an invitation to sprint toward goals you’ve been hesitating on.
  
• If you dream of an ostrich with its head down…
  Don’t fall for the “head in the sand” cliché. In dreamland, this may point to denial or to quietly tending something sacred. Ask: Am I avoiding, or am I nurturing in private?
  
• If you dream of ostrich eyes watching you…
  Your psyche is spotlighting awareness. Something important is in your periphery. Dream ostrich says: look wider, look deeper.
  
• If you dream of ostrich eggs…
  The cosmic egg shows up (IMHO) when you’re incubating something massive (like a groovy project, a relationship, or some kind of transformation). My advice? Don’t rush the hatching. Nurture it. In other words: “Sit on it, Potsie!” and love it into manifestation.
  
• If you dream of a group of ostriches…
  You may be yearning for more collaboration or feeling the weight of carrying too much solo. The ostrich herd reminds you: community makes the load lighter.

Quick Ostrich Dream Decoder Q’s to Ask Yourself:

• Was the ostrich racing, still, or nesting?
• Did you notice its eggs, feathers, or eyes?
• How did you feel? Were you amused, anxious, in awe?
• Was the ostrich alone or among others?

Your answers matter more than mine, because your personal dream dictionary is written in your own symbols. But as a general guide, the ostrich in dreams is about momentum, vision, boundaries, truth, and birthing new potential.

From the Ostrich’s Beak

Lastly, I wanted to leave you with a hypothetical dialogue. If the ostrich could speak, I rather think it might extend insightful messages to us humans like this (words of wisdom as if the ostrich is speaking directly to you)…

"Let's get one thing clear. We ostriches do NOT bury our head in the sand when frightened. What a ludicrous idea! Firstly, because we're regal creatures & we rarely have reason to shirk from danger. But if we do detect threat, we can run at staggering speeds. Oh, and let me tell you, we put karate black-belts to shame. Our kicks can kill.  

As an ostrich, this is my first bit of advice to you. Don't hide. TAKE ACTION!  

So whether we ostriches beat cheeks out of danger, or kick the stuffing out of our foes - to be sure, we never hide our heads in the sand. And neither should you.

Now that the ridiculous myth of head-burying has been dispelled, I will tell you why we futz around in the sand. It's where the myth came from.

This is what we do: We dig a hole in the sand, lay our eggs in the hole, and we poke our heads in the hole to turn our eggs. I guess to some humans, that looks odd, and our actions are misunderstood.  

There's a lesson in that for you. It's nobody's business but your own as to how you raise your young. As long as you nurture, provide and love your offspring, you're golden. Maybe your methods might seem odd to others, but the key is loving and taking care of your young'uns (which, by the way, could be your children, your dreams, yourself...whatever you hold most precious and dear). 

In short, we don't care what it looks like, we only care that our legacy is protected and cherished.

I can't hope to give you guidance if I don't mention the unique feature of flight.  Well, err...no flight, I should say. My flock and I have wings, but we don't fly.  For you, that's a big lesson.  

Birds who can fly can be lofty. Symbolically speaking, flying birds fly in the sky of dreams, schemes, hopes...but rarely land any of these things. Ostriches, however, we can land any deal.  That's because we're grounded.

For you, the take-away I'm trying to offer is this: Dream away! Have high hopes! Just know you've got to be grounded. Be free to flap your wings towards your vision, but stay anchored to a foundation as you do so. Dreams+Practicality+Legwork=Achievement.  

That's what we ostriches do to survive successfully in tough conditions.  It's also a winning formula for you too. Carry on!"

Why Did the Ostrich Cross the Road? To Teach You Something Outrageously Awesome (of course)

Are you still here? I sure hope so. Further, I hope these insights into the spiritual meaning of the ostrich were inspiring, motivating, and downright delightful. It should be clear, the ostrich is the bee’s knees…err, bird’s knees? Big cheese? Whatever…this bodacious bird is worthy of our respect, honor, and attention. Perhaps, after a bit of pondering on these noteworthy bits, you’ll feel the same? It’s my most ardent hope that you do. 

Once again, special thanks to Karen in Canada for alerting me to the ostrich plight in B.C., and for requesting I dig deep & crank out this post about ostrich symbolism. I hope you all savor it as much as I relished researching and writing it. As always, thanks for reading (and indulging my semi-delirious midnight ramblings). Big, boss ostrich blessings to you all!

Mighty brightly,

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