In mythology, it is a token of bad luck or a foreboding that something bad is soon going to happen to you. However, I don't believe in luck or mythology. If you saw an owl sitting on a tree limb, for example, it was looking for food or a mate. If the owl flew over you or in front of you, then it was probably either flying to a better perch or it was hunting rodents. I love owls, but I hardly see them even when I hear them.

Owls have many different symbolisms depending on the culture. The greeks associated owls with the greek goddess Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war. Therefore, owls were a good sign.Other cultures demonized the birds because of the large eyes they carried, and considered them bad luck.

Here are some great links explaining the symbolism :

Shamanic symbolism : http://www.whats-your-sign.com/animal-sy...

Greek symbolism : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owl_of_Athe...

Celtic symbolism : http://something-wicca.blogspot.ca/2012/...

Japanese symbolism : http://forestbear.hubpages.com/hub/owls-...

It means you saw an owl sit/fly nearby you.

Any meaning you want to impart into it is your own.

It means you saw a damn owl. What would you like, a medal?