An Ostrich — Dream Meaning

Ostriches are the largest birds on Earth. They cannot fly, but they can outrun almost anything on open ground, and they have a famous reputation for burying their heads in the sand. That reputation is a myth, since they simply lower their heads to tend their nests, but the image has stuck as a symbol of denial. In dreams the ostrich often represents avoidance, grounded strength and sheer speed.

An ostrich with its head in the sand is the classic picture of ignoring a problem and hoping it will go away. If you felt amused or uneasy watching it, the dream may be gently nudging you towards something you have been putting off, such as a bill, a conversation or a health appointment.

An ostrich running fast suggests energy, and the ability to get yourself out of a tight spot quickly when you need to. It can be a reassuring image if you have been doubting your resources.

An ostrich unable to fly may mirror frustration at your limits, or a quiet acceptance that your strengths lie on the ground, in steadiness and endurance rather than in lofty plans. How you felt about its wings is the key detail.

An aggressive ostrich reflects someone who may look odd or harmless but can be surprisingly forceful. It may be a person at work or in the family, or it may be a side of yourself that you tend to underestimate.

Ostrich eggs suggest large potential or a big responsibility that has been entrusted to you; see eggs. Looking after them can reflect protectiveness over a project.

The phrase "burying your head in the sand" is common in English for refusing to face facts, which is why dream ostriches so often turn up when something is being avoided. Ancient writers also told tall tales about ostriches swallowing iron, which shows how long people have found these birds puzzling.

What is the one thing you have been not looking at, and what would it feel like to lift your head and take a look?

Related dreams include a Bird, Hiding, Running and A Flamingo.