Animal Omens in Thai Belief

In Thai folk belief, animals that visit your home, or call out nearby, are messengers of luck, news or a warning. These sayings were passed down in rural households for generations.

Cats

• A cat that chooses to live with you brings luck and good fortune.
• A cat licking its owner's hands or feet: gain, happiness and progress for that person. Licking its ears: news, or a visitor.
• A cat sleeping face down: business will prosper. Sweeping the floor with its tail while lying down: take care with money.
• A cat following you: a good new friend. Weaving around your legs: stay calm and do not act in haste.
• A cat curling up on your lap: people will admire you. A cat getting up and walking away when it sees you: beware of someone who is not loyal.
• A cat chasing its tail: you will receive a gift. Racing around the room: do not scold it, as someone will bring you money.
• A cat stuck up high and unable to get down: news, or a relative will visit. A cat that will not tackle a big rat: help from a woman.
• Cats chasing each other into the house: good news. A cat calling loudly by day: news from a friend.
• A cat calling at dusk as it walks through the house: a relative will visit. Calling a few times while lying down by day: a gain.
• A cat calling on the roof: you will see something unusual. Calling as you leave the house: you will gain possessions. Calling while eating: a kind patron will help you.
• A cat calling when a guest arrives: you will be able to rely on that person; calling while the guest is still there: a big gain.
• A long, drawn-out call: take care. Calling while staring at you: look after your belongings. A cat that seems to call out to someone: be wary of strangers.

Dogs

• A stray dog that comes to stay: be wary of troublemakers.
• A dog sitting facing the front of the house: complications ahead; facing the back of the house: something pleasing.
• A dog following you out of the house when it never has before: take care.
• A dog suddenly leaping about playfully: good news. Barking at someone in the household: something exciting and fun.
• A dog lying on its back: keep your private matters to yourself.
• Dogs in the household fighting each other: pay attention to your friends and family.
• Dogs chasing each other into your home, or a dog running from its owner into your home: help from someone junior to you.
• A cat chasing your dog: trouble may come your way.

Birds

• A bird landing on the gable of your roof: prosperity. Sparrows nesting in your home: harmony among family and friends.
• Sparrows chasing each other into the house: a falling-out with a friend.
• Birds fighting on the roof: a visitor is coming who brings luck, so welcome them well.
• A caged bird escaping: help from someone senior. A caged bird flapping in fright: worries will ease.
• A caged bird calling at night: avoid quarrels and keep your temper. Murmuring as if talking in its sleep: news is on its way. An unusual call: your reputation will rise.
• A bird calling as it flies over your head or past your house: a gain. Calling as it flies over the roof: beware of false accusations.
• A bird that lands, calls and flies straight off: someone may wish you ill.
• A crow bowing its head as it calls: news. Two crows "talking" on the roof: a misunderstanding with relatives.
• Hearing an owl by day: you will meet someone you love. An owl or barn owl perched on your fence: take care.
• A vulture landing in a tree in your garden: your employer will reward you.

Geckos, lizards and reptiles

• A house gecko chirping often: take care with fire and cooking in the home.
• A tokay gecko calling often: do not believe everything people close to you say.
• A lizard standing still near your door: happiness. A skink running into the house: a lost opportunity.
• A monitor lizard under your house: call it "money and gold", as Thais do, and luck will come and misfortune leave.
• A green snake on the ceiling: be careful with someone cunning. A snake climbing a tree: be on your guard. A snake hanging head down from a tree: your rivals will back off.
• A snake's shed skin left in your home: a gain.
• A tortoise wandering across the floor then disappearing: say a prayer and misfortune will pass. A crab walking on the floor: good luck.

Frogs and toads

• A toad calling under your house: success at work. A toad climbing your steps: business will thrive.
• A frog calling under your house: a new friend. A frog hopping in your yard: work will go well.
• A small frog calling under the house: beware of being lied to. Hopping round in your room: hold off on new investments for now.
• A bullfrog in the kitchen: be careful to avoid mistakes.

Insects

• Crickets singing under your house: you will learn a secret. Insects singing around your home: happiness grows.
• A grasshopper jumping into your bedroom: beware of someone stirring up trouble.
• Flying termites swarming around a light: news of a relative.
• Black ants marching in a line under your fence: watch out for a newcomer. Black ants under your bed: a friend may break their word.
• Termites eating a tree in your garden: someone may try to blame you.
• Bees building a nest at your home: a gain, and sorrows will lift. Wasps nesting in a garden tree: a good sign.
• A carpenter bee visiting your flowers: happiness.
• A butterfly coming indoors and settling: an auspicious sign. Circling round and round: be careful with colleagues. Visiting the flowers in your home: take care when travelling.
• A firefly drifting into your room and vanishing: beware of deception; stay steady.
• A centipede under your house: authority and good fortune.

Other animals

• A horse running into your home: luck. Hearing a horse at midnight: you will hear a secret.
• Cattle grazing in your yard: your employer may become displeased.
• A bat entering your room: good luck. A bat that flies in and straight out again: bad turns to good. Bats eating fruit in your garden: something good is coming.
• Hens in the yard fighting each other: be fair. A hen laying a soft-shelled egg: be careful whom you trust. A rooster sitting on eggs: avoid arguments.
• A mouse squeaking "jok jok": a gain; squeaking "khik khik": take care.