In the pagan or wiccan religion, what does the feather(bird feather) represent?

Question

I know pagan and wiccan are not the same. Thatis why I said pagan OR wiccan.

Answer 1

It represents the Air element, but what bird does it belong to? Ann owl's feather is of Hecate, the crow's feather a sign of things to change. The Blue Jay has long been a signifier of happiness, or a message from your guardians to BE happy. Cardinal feathers represent fertility, and are great to use for wishes. (You don't need the feather, just to see the bird and make the wish.)
We use the feather to cleanse, with smouldering incense, it is a tool. With it we use our own energy to cast away negative energy.
Does that answer your question pretty well?
Oh, and yea, to be Pagan does not make you Wiccan, but a Wiccan surely is Pagan. Blessed be.

Answer 2

There is no "the" pagan religion. Asking what something means in "the wiccan or pagan religion" is like asking what instruments are used in "heavy metal or rock music."

Feathers, in Wicca, are generally used to represent the element air, with the qualities of intellect, creativity, inspiration, new beginnings, travel & freedom. It's considered a masculine element.

In other pagan religions, feathers can mean different things. In many, it matters what kind of bird the feathers come from--to Native Americans, owl feathers are very different from eagle feathers. Ostritch feathers are a symbol of judgement to Kemetics.

In Asia, the feathers of the peacock are considered auspicious and protective. However in the European tradition, it used to be considered very bad luck to keep them in the home.

Answer 3

In Wiccan religion, I believe it represents the element of air, emotions and creativity.

In Shamanism it can represent the Upper world (on the astral plane) or a totem spirit, depending on the species of bird that originated feather in question.

In Druidry (which is arguably really Celtic Shamanism) it can represent the Sky element or realm of existance.

Different religions also associate the feathers of specific species with various Gods and their attributes. Peacock feathers represent Hera to Hellenes, as well as watchfulness and loyalty.

In practice, it is often used for smudging purposes, to direct the smoke in just about any Pagan ceremony that calls for smudging. Smudging, by the way, is a ritual blessing/cleansing using smoke from burning a special plant or incense.

Answer 4

First, Wicca is a religion. Pagan is a group of religions. Wicca is a Pagan religion. Shamanism is a Pagan Path. Pagan means "polytheistic" believing in more than one god. Believing in and worshipping are two different things. You can believe in many gods without worshipping all of them. I, personally, worship Christ but I believe in all the gods.

Second, the feather can represent Air, Flow, cleansing or any number of things depending on the PAth.

Answer 5

First of all Wicca and Paganism aren't the same thing. As a pagan I'd say feathers represent: air, Air, flow, movement, freedom, flight, and possible imagination.

Answer 6

Depends on one's tradition or particular path. Wicca is very much fueled by mythology and folklore, and different traditions take info from different things.

1. In Egyptian mythology, which has a strong influence on all ceremonial magic, the feather represents Ma'at, or the goddess of justice. On your day of judgement, your ka, or soul, would go to the temple of Anubis, where your heart would be weighed against the feather of Ma'at. If it was heavy with sin, it would be eaten by Ammut. Interestingly, it couldn't be too light either! Implying the Egyptians felt you must lead a balanced life, or you will learn nothing. It had to exactly balance the scale.

2. A white feather has traditionally been used to symbolize harmlessness or pacifism.

3. In Native American tradition of the Ojibwa were the ones who made the dreamcatchers, a net decorated by feathers intended to filter out bad dreams.

4. Feathers in dreams my indicate several things, depending on context: good luck or good social affairs, confusion or hastiness, embarassment or "losing face." Chicken feathers are said to represent minor annoyances, eagle feathers goals and aspirations, peacock feathers, ambition.

5. In natural magic and spellcasting, feathers are used to focus concentration and promote change. Feathers from different birds are said to have different properties.

Answer 7

Air. Flow. Change. See it as a pointer, focus.
Every color and bird brings it's own meaning to the ceremony. In both religions.

Answer 8

It's what you like used on yourself while WE are in bed(-;