A Bat Sighting
Look to the skies at night, and you may just see a bat fluttering overhead, silhouetted against the moonlight. But what exactly is the spiritual meaning of a bat sighting? Bats — either in real life or in images — can carry great significance. However, like the crow and the wolf, bats can often be misunderstood. Let’s discuss what the spiritual meaning of a bat sighting might be for you.
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What Is a Bat?
Bats are the only true flying mammal on earth. While the smallest bat species has a wingspan of six inches, the largest bat species has a wingspan of almost six feet. Bats can be found all around the world. Though they are not kept as domestic pets, many people choose to build “bat houses” in their gardens to welcome these nocturnal visitors. Most bats live in large colonies. Like their fellow pollinators, the bees, they can be seen as a symbol of community involvement, fertility, and selflessness.
While often associated with vampiric folklore, only three out of the 1400 different bat species consume blood. Even then, those bats prefer to drink from cattle — not people! Though vampire bats get a bad rap, they are actually known to be incredibly nurturing. For instance, like many other mammals, vampire bats will care for the sick, elderly, or orphaned young in their colonies.
Related: The Symbolism of a Rat
The History of Bat Symbolism
Following a natural cycle of consumption and rebirth, bats emerge during the harvest months to feed on insects that have been drawn in by the light of people’s bonfires. After feasting, they hibernate through the winter. This “dance” around the flames was noticed by the Celts, who believed that bats represented spirits and fairies. Some Native American tribes regarded the bat as a shaman, while other tribes thought of the bat as a trickster spirit. The Zuni people believed that bats signaled oncoming rainstorms. In China, bats have historically been considered a good omen. They were thought to bring luck, especially when seen in pairs. A pair of bats symbolizes Shouxing, the god of longevity.
Interestingly, bats have been around for about 50 million years and can live to be about 20 years old — longevity indeed! Like a four-leaf clover, seeing four bats is also thought to be lucky. They represent long life, good health, financial security, and peace.
Because they sleep in dark areas, ancient people thought that the spiritual meaning of a bat had to do with the death and darkness that surrounded them. Bats often nest underground, in temples or ruins, and in places that usually go undisturbed, like cemeteries.
Related: What is the Meaning Behind Seeing a Raccoon?
Are Bats Dark Omens?
The spiritual meaning of a bat sighting isn’t always something dark and spooky. These winged creatures of the night may conjure up thoughts of Halloween or Samhain, but the spiritual meaning of a bat sighting can be positive as well. For instance, thanks to their use of echolocation, bats have an excellent perception of the world around them.
As such, the spiritual meaning of a bat sighting might be that you possess a strong “second sight.” If bats are a recurring theme in your life, it could indicate that you’ve been gifted with divination abilities or insight into the spirit realm. Likewise, it is no coincidence that bats are associated with Halloween and Samhain, appearing at a time when the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest.
Related: The Meaning of an Opossum Sighting
Dreaming of a Bat
Sometimes a midnight visit from a bat happens when you aren’t even awake. What is the spiritual meaning of a bat sighting when it happens in a dream? Well, in dreams, entities that can fly generally bring cautionary explanations. As bats are tied to fear, seeing a bat in a dream may mean that you need to reflect on your fears. If the bat in your dream is biting or attacking you, you may need to face your fears head-on before you can move forward.
If bats are flying overhead in your dream, there may be fear or uncertainty on the horizon. In contrast, if you dream of a friendly bat or if your bat dream is set during the day, then your dream may be showing you that fear has no power over you and that your confidence cannot be trifled with.
The Bat as a Totem and Spirit Animal
As a totem or spirit animal, the spiritual meaning of a bat can be freedom from fear. Like birds, bats are connected to the soul and spirit world, especially in terms of natural darkness. Choosing the bat as a totem can be helpful when you decide to choose a new life path or let go of an old way of thinking. Having the bat as your spirit animal may also be indicative of accepting or not fearing death. The spirit of the bat accepts death and darkness as the perfect balance to life and light.
If you’re interested in our other animal sighting articles, you can find them here.
Related: The Spiritual Significance of Seeing a Wolf
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4 thoughts on “The Meaning of a Bat Sighting”
I was in Joshua tree and around 11:30 while I was out watching the stars and suddenly two bats began to fly big circles around where I was lying. This went on for over an hour, then one left and the other continue to fly closer and closer until it almost land on my foot. I had no light except for a single candle with citronella on laid out there until I fell asleep. Even hours later when i woke up within minute it started again. I felt as if it was trying to tell me something as crazy as that is. What should I make about it. Please if you why, let me know
I also had one fly at me while trying to sleep! It was in my room one night and I woke up to an unusual fluttering sound and pulled the covers off to get up and saw something dive down towards me from the corner of my room. I jumped back in bed and pulled the covers over my head and waited till it was quiet and no sign of anything else out there, so I slowly pulled my blanket down and peeked around the room, jumped up, turned my light on and whoosh, yep, he did it again tried to dive at my head! I ran to my parents room to get my dad and by the time we got back to my room it had disappeared.
I had a bat fly around and above me in my mother’s house while I was trying to go to sleep one night. I had one fall behind my chair when I was sitting on my patio one day too.
It’s kind of different from what I expected my totem would be. But I am okay with it.
I was sitting on the back porch where I work as a Caregiver it was around 10pm at night. Of course the back porch light was on and a bat flew a few feet from where I was sitting and rested on the sealing of the porch. That’s the first time I’ve seen a bat up close and it scared the day lights out of me. I got up and ran in the house and looked back out and told my coworker that it’s a bat out here. And it flew away when it heard my voice. So I don’t know if the bat seen me or not.