You hear a flutter of wings near your head, and you turn around to see.
A small speckled creature is moving to land, making a distinctive call.
It looks like a woodpecker to you. There is a bright patch of red or yellow on the bird’s head, and your eyes are drawn to it.
You’ve found yourself in the company of a northern flicker, also sometimes called “yellowhammer.”
This bird is named after its yellow and red hues, which are like a flickering fiery flame when it takes flight.
Easily recognizable, with its beautiful speckled black and white markings, on its plumage, you watch it fascinated.
If your curiosity got to you and you searched on the internet for this bird, you are in luck.
This bird is long associated with spirituality and is known for being a bearer of messages with its appearance.
Here we will explore the meaning of its appearance in your life and what it symbolizes.
Northern Flicker Spiritual Meaning
When it comes to spirituality, northern flickers have a whole history. In fact, this enthralling bird is found to play a substantial role in Native American legends.
Not only do northern flickers represent good luck, but they also foreshadow visitors coming into your life.
This bird is associated with stories of guardians, healing, and friendship.
Due to the characteristics of fire that are associated with the color of their feathers, they hold a lot of spiritual lessons for many cultures.
This brings the meaning forward of taming the fire and passion in us and taming our ego.
Having an ego is not a bad thing and can, in fact, protect us!
What truly matters is how we use it and how much we let it control our actions.
The Northern Flicker brings healing with it when it comes.
If your heart has been broken or you are working through pain, the Northern Flicker is here to tell you there is hope in healing.
Read here the sparrow spiritual meaning.
Northern Flicker Symbolism
The Nothern is the universe’s way of reassuring you and providing comfort at this point in your journey and support.
The Northern Flicker also symbolizes joy, happiness and good luck coming to your life.
The bright splashes of color on its body remind you how brighter things will come your way!
What does it mean when You See a Northern Flicker?
Seeing a Northern Flicker can mean many things, depending on the circumstances you catch sight of.
Depending on where you are on the journey, you can understand what it means for you at that specific moment.
The universe has many ways to translate its meaning to us, so when you have this occur, surely take a moment to feel and think about what this means for you.
Your intuition and search will guide you to the correct answer!
Being present, observant and reflective is a good sign of coming into awareness for yourself.
This is a sign you are connecting to the messages around you.
Read the meaning of hitting a bird while driving.
What does it mean to Find a Northern Flicker Feather?
If you’ve caught sight of or found a Northern Flicker’s feather, this is a sign for you to fuel your creativity actively!
Flickers have feathers with distinctive markings that make them recognizable.
The universe encourages you to hone your unique creativity and imagination, as it is a strength.
So move forward with your ideas. Don’t be afraid to be original and bold.
Remind yourself your purpose here is unique.
Finding a feather is also a sign of hope and better things to come!
9 Spiritual Meanings of Seeing a Northern Flicker
This bird brings 11 spiritual meanings with it. When you see a northern flicker in your dream or real life, the following messages are for you.
1) Tenacity
These birds represent bravery and courage.
In fact, northern flickers are the first ones to reappear in an area after a natural disaster or catastrophe, making them leaders of their fate.
This ability of theirs is one that also exists with you, the universe is saying.
If you are struggling, this is the universe reminding you of your tenacity to move through things.
You’ve been through so much to come to where you are now. You will make it out of here too!
The universe reminds you of your strength and ability to take risks. You can trust your decisions to leap forward toward what you want. This is a sign to try something new if you are hesitating when it comes to solutions.
Be the leader through the ruin. Your belief and strength will carry you through. Move with your determination, and it will guide you through.
Read the spiritual meaning of seeing birds in your dreams.
2) Be Adaptable
A woodpecker’s beak is flexible, and at the same time, it’s sharp enough to chisel away at the wood.
This fulfills the purpose of allowing the Northern Flicker to access places where a stiff beak wouldn’t while, at the same time, giving it the same amount of strength.
The universe is showing you a Northern Flicker to point out that the ability to be adaptable is one that comes with advantages. When you grow, circumstances will change, but if you’re the same and don’t change with them, it will be hard to adjust.
Move with wisdom and the ability to be flexible in your decisions for your current situation. This means living in the present and utilizing all your resources towards your purpose.
The Northern Flicker is asking you to keep a light on for a change as you move through life.
The ability to transform with your circumstances is a sign you have learned your lessons.
3) Luck Is On Its Way
If you’re having a bout of boredom or a dry spell of good things, the Northern Flicker appears in your life to remind you that blessings are on their way.
You will have good luck coming to you soon.
Keep your head up. There are things to look forward to you.
There is, after all, a flicker of color in the dark.
4) Individuality
Seeing a Norther Flicker is a sign to honor your uniqueness. With its distinct markings, this bird stands out and is known for it.
The red and yellow hues form the idea of its flicker of a flame and the myths that surround it.
The universe is telling you to celebrate your individuality.
The things that make you different from everyone else are your strength and identity. Your contrasts should not make you ashamed but proud.
So go ahead and be your bold self, and do not be afraid to stand out from the crowd.
No one can do you better than you. If you can see what others can’t see, then you will be able to go where others won’t be able to go.
Read the meaning of dead birds in dreams and in real life.
5) Patterns
With seeing a Northern Flicker, you are being asked to stay and observe the present carefully. This bird represents the ability for us to take a bird’s eye view of what is happening.
We have to look at the details and patterns.
The universe is asking us to look carefully.
Are we repeating a particular pattern in our life and need to break out of it?
What have we learned from our previous cycles, and how can we use them now?
Ponder over these questions and make changes.
Keep an eye out!
6) Healing
The beautiful Northern Flicker also represents healing guardians. If you’ve been struggling currently in your life, remember that you are worthy of peace.
You are worthy of healing and care!
Take time to tend to your emotional wounds. Make space for how you feel. Know that the universe is holding your hand and is here to support you.
The universe does not forget you, and it is right there with you.
Reach out for calm and peace. You won’t be disappointed, it’ll take time, but relief will find you.
7) Ego’s Truth
For the Greeks, woodpeckers have primarily held an association with the ego’s more harmful traits, such as aggression, destruction, and the need for war.
While Northern Flickers were not present around that time, they do hold the energy of fire itself, which can be a message from the universe.
The universe is asking you to keep your energy and how it manifests during this time.
Your aggression can be utilized to meet other aspects of your life where it can be more beneficial for you.
For example, anger can be a great motivation. Take time to can channel the need to destroy to overcome your obstacles.
Please take a good look at your ego and how it is making you respond.
Take your fury and make a fire to cook for yourself.
The best way to embrace our shadow side is to accept it and understand the purpose of such emotions.
8) Improvisation
Not everything in life can be planned or controlled.
Seeing a Northern Flicker wander into your life is the equivalent of the universe asking you to be also spontaneous in your actions.
Break out of the matrix of your life!
Betray your routine today and go instead with what your gut says.
So you’re doing something you wouldn’t usually have. Take a new route. You might discover something about yourself.
9) The Right Path
Seeing a northern flicker while you are out confirming that you are on the right path.
If you have been asking for a sign from the universe to show you that you’re going down the right route, this bird will appear to offer acknowledgment.
Trust your intuition, current actions, and where they lead you.
It might feel weird at the moment or logically won’t make sense, but that’s okay. You’re going the right way!
10) Balance & Beauty
An essential part of life is learning to experience the joys of it even when things are going hard.
If you have seen a northern flicker, this is the universe coming to remind you to stay in the present and appreciate the beautiful little moments around you.
It is the little good things that keep us going forward in life.
So balance out your day with times of rest and gratefulness.
Work hard but also rest.
Have loud and quiet moments.
Take your time to experience all facets of life!
Let yourself appreciate how far you have come and what is around you. Take time to experience the blessing around you.
This balance will help you sustain your mind and your heart.
11) A New Beginning Is Here
This bird is the first one to appear when spring season comes, their appearance marking the transition into the new season.
If things have been stagnant or blocked for very long and you see a Northern Flicker, know that the season in your life is changing.
Very soon, things will start changing for you, so be ready and hold out hope moving forward.
Even if things have fallen apart or ended, know that this only makes room for new things to enter your life.
Things will arrive just like spring!
Have you received a visit from a bird in your house? Check here what it means spiritually.
Is Seeing a Northern Flicker a Good Spiritual Sign?
Seeing a Northern Flicker in your surroundings, or a dream is an excellent spiritual sign.
These birds are considered spiritual messengers that bring signs of hope and a new chapter for you.
At any point it comes, it holds messages from the universe about what qualities you should embody that will allow you to take full advantage of your time forward.
A Northern Flicker is your clue on how to level up in your life and charge ahead.
Welcome any sight of these birds!
When this bird comes, know that you have good things in store and be a leader, creative, and spontaneous.
Be a flickering flame that moves toward your dreams!
Final Words
Overall, seeing a Northern Flicker is a special moment.
Many cultures recognize this, which is why history has made meaning around these sightings.
You, too, can take the meaning given to you and utilize it to change your life.
It takes a small flickering flame to bring out a whole raging fire. Lean into your power and your destiny!
Julia is a world-renowned spiritual teacher from Sweden, who quit her job at Google to pursue her dream of becoming a digital nomad. I help spiritual seekers step into their purpose and power. Passionate about astrology, meditation, nomad life and the law of attraction.