Eagle Symbol

Native American bird and animal symbols and totems are believed to represent the physical form of a spirit helper and guide. The Native Americans consider the bald eagle and the golden eagle to be sacred. As eagles are the highest flying birds they were seen to be nearer to the Creator.

The meaning of the Eagle symbol was to signify courage, wisdom and strength and its purpose was as the messenger to the  Creator. The eagle was believed to carry prayers to the Great Spirit in the Spirit World and also had a special connection with visions. Eagle feathers were highly significant to the Native American Indians and the bones of eagles were used to make the whistles and flutes used at religious ceremonies and rituals. It was a custom to hold an eagle feather aloft when saying a prayer and during special council meetings eagle feathers were held as an assurance that the person was telling the truth. Eagle feathers also held a connection to the Great spirit. The eagle had the ability to live in the realm of spirit, and yet remain connected and balanced within the realm of Earth. The eagle is therefore often connected with balance. Eagle Myth: The Abenaki solar deity 'Kisosen' meaning "Sun-Bringer" was symbolised as an eagle whose wings opened to create the day and whose wings closed to create the night. For additional information refer to Power Animals.

Myths and legends

Eagle Myth: The Abenaki solar deity 'Kisosen' meaning "Sun-Bringer" was symbolised as an eagle whose wings opened to create the day and whose wings closed to create the night. Wad-zoo-sen was the name of a spirit eagle that flapped his wings to create the wind. Pamola is a legendary bird spirit in Abenaki mythology and legend the god of Thunder and protector of Mount Katahdin, the tallest mountain in Maine. This fearsome creature the body of a man, the head of a moose and the wings and feet of an eagle.