Bats are mysterious creatures of the night and have a lot of different symbolism attached to them. Some things that bats symbolize include death and rebirth, communication, intuition, and happiness.
Popular media and films have given people the perception that bats are somewhat evil or bad, but this really couldn’t be further from the truth. If you dig in history a little deeper you can find positive symbolism when it comes to bats.
A lot of different cultures and places have bats in their folklore that mean positive and good things. You can find bat symbolism in ancient China, Japan, Celtic folklore, Norse folklore, and within many tales from different cultures.
Bat Symbolism & Spiritual Meanings
1. Rebirth
Bats symbolize both death and rebirth. This is because they live in the deepest parts of the earth, which some have referenced as the earth’s womb.
They are also a great example that no matter how dark life may seem at times there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Humans can definitely learn a lot from bats and the different things that they represent.
If you see a bat in your waking life, you may be entering a time in your life where some part of you will die and be reborn. Often connected with the human ego, you may be ridding yourself of traits and habits that no longer serve you.
2. Communication
In order for bats to fly in synchronicity without crashing into each other in pitch black caves, they have mastered the art of communication.
Bats do not have the best eyesight in the animal kingdom so they solely rely on communication when it comes to flying together and hunting for food. They work together to navigate around dark terrain and for survival.
This is something that humans definitely lack which is why they are such a strong symbol for communication. If you encounter a bat it could be the universe’s way of telling you that you may need to be working on your own communication skills.
3. Intuition
While bats have excellent communication skills they also heavily rely on their intuition. Their natural instincts are second to none, that’s why they have become a symbol for intuition.
Bats rely heavily on their communication with one another, but they also rely a lot on their natural intuition. Getting to and from their homes and flying next to one another, their intuition is something that they develop over time.
While some people seem to be born with strong intuition, others are not so fortunate. Luckily, it is something that you can work on.
If you encounter a bat, this may be a sign that your intuition is something that needs to be sharpened. There are certain things you can do to make your natural instincts just as strong as a bat.
Related: What is the Spiritual Meaning of Stars?
4. Happiness
The Chinese word for bat and happiness are almost identical, and the belief that bats bring happiness and joy date back to ancient China.
The number 4 in China is considered unlucky because it is very close to the word for death. Just like the number 4, the word for bat is close to the word for happiness which makes it a symbol of joy.
It is believed by many people in this part of the world that when a bat enters your house or work that these areas of your life will become blessed. It is tied not only with the feeling of happiness but also material gain.
It can also be said that if you encounter a bat that a period of happiness is about to start in your life.
Related: Did you know that crocodiles eat bats?
Bat Dream Meaning
Dreaming about a bat could have many different meanings. The only way to figure out the right meaning for you is through introspection, journaling, and meditation. Below are some possible explanations of what it means when you dream about a bat, remembering that they may not be the right interpretations for your situation:
- To dream of a bat could denote that you need to try looking at something from a different perspective. This could be a sign that you need to take a step back from a problem you are facing and try to approach things differently.
- To see a bat hanging upside down in a dream could denote that you may need to rest. If this has been a stressful time in your life, this could be a sign that the universe is telling you to recharge your batteries and take some time for yourself.
- To see a colony of bats flying overhead in your dreams could denote that some secrets may come to light in the near future. They may be your own or someone else’s that involve you directly.
- If you are being attacked by bats in your dream it could mean that the stresses of your daily life are getting to you. You may need to take some time to regain peace and quiet. Alternatively, it can also mean that someone close to you is planning to break your trust.
- To dream of a bat inside your house can denote that family bonds will be strengthened and tensions will be eased. If you are going through a time where tensions in your household are high, this could be a sign that things will die down and return back to a normal, harmonious pace.
- To dream that you are in a cave filled with bats could mean that your own mindset and negative thoughts are holding you back. You may need to work on how you look at think about the world to improve your fortune.
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Conclusion
Bats are one of the most mysterious creatures on the planet. They are the only mammal in the world that can fly and they are nocturnal. They truly are one of the most amazing creatures, but due to modern media and their link to the darkness, most people find them scary.
They are superior in so many ways and we humans have a lot to learn from them. They are masters of communication and intuition. Things that we will need to develop over the course of our entire lifetimes.
They are strong symbols of death and rebirth, light and dark. They are a great reminder that no matter how dark our situation, thoughts, or minds are, we can always navigate, communicate, and strive to find the light at the end of the tunnel.
Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]