Lizard Chirping - Indian Belief

Lizard chirping, according to the Hindus, is considered holy and auspicious. This creature, by its chirping and hooting, is supposed to foretell what is going to befall to certain individuals or on their homes. This belief has been so firm-rooted and strong among people from time immemorial that there are separate books on lizard chirping and owl hooting. Not only the chirping but also the falling of a lizard on particular portion of the body of an individual portends good or evil to them.

For most people, the sudden appearance of a lizard inside the house brings discomfort or the immediate urge to chase it away. Yet, in many traditions, lizards are more than just household intruders, they are seen as bearers of spiritual meaning. Hinduism, in particular, ascribes symbolic and mystical significance to their presence, weaving them into age-old beliefs and customs.

Across Hindu myths and legends, animals often play important roles, frequently serving as the sacred vehicles (vahanas) of Gods and Goddesses. Lizards too, though small and often overlooked, are linked with divine symbolism. In several Hindu households, the sound of a lizard’s chirp is considered auspicious, believed to signal good fortune and holy vibrations.

The spiritual interpretations extend further. Ancient Hindu texts and folklore describe the phenomenon of lizards falling on the human body, known as ‘Palli Vizhum Palan’ in Tamil tradition, as carrying specific meanings. These beliefs emphasize the idea that even the smallest creatures can act as messengers of destiny.

In certain regions, the entry of a lizard into the home is also connected to the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity. Such associations transform the reptile from a simple creature of the walls into a spiritual symbol tied to divine presence and fortune.

If a lizard happens to fall on the head of an individual, then that person should be prepared for some rebellion from or caused by others which could be disturbing their peace of mind. If the creature happens to drop on the tuft of hair, it foretells some gain to the person concerned. If it falls on the head, then it indicates death. If the lizard drops on the face, he or she may have the opportunity of seeing some relatives soon. By falling on the eye-brows, the lizard prophesies royal favour while its fall on the upper lip indicates loss of wealth and fall on the under lip signifies gain of wealth. The fall of the lizard on other portions of the body indicates good or evil in different situations as mentioned below.

·       Falling of lizard on the nose indicates sickness and disease.

·       Falling on the right ear conveys blessing of long life.

·       Lizard falling on the left ear means gains in trade.

·       Lizard falling on the eyes might be a signal of imprisonment.

·       If lizard falls on the chin, the person might experience royal punishment.

·       Lizard falling on the mouth indicates some upcoming source of fear.

·       Falling of lizard on the neck signals destruction of enemies.

·       Lizard falling on the right arm might indicate health issues in the near future.

·       Falling on the left arm signals sexual enjoyment.

·       Falling on the right wrist hints the likelihood of facing some kind of trouble.

·       Lizard falling on the navel indicates gain of precious stones.

·       If the lizard falls on both sides of an individual, chances of any kind of gain are high.

·       Falling on the thighs indicates some type of unhappiness to parents.

·       Lizard falling on the knees and ankles signify overall well-being and good luck.

·       Falling on the feet means impending travel.

·       If lizard falls on the buttocks, it conveys general goof health and well being.

·       Lizard falling on the nails means loss of wealth.

·       Lizard falling on the penis conveys penury and hardship.

·       Falling on the left hand conveys sorrow.

·       Falling of the lizard on the right hand indicates misery.

·       If the lizard falls on the back it means destruction.

·       Falling of the lizard on the anus signals money gain.

·       Falling on the toes of the feet represent fear.

·       Falling on the left-hand finger means sorrow.

·       If the lizard falls on the right-hand finger, it means fear from royal displeasure.

Regarding the chirping of the lizard and what it portends, it is said that the direction from which the chirping is heard on particular days of the week have to be taken into consideration. The following table has been arranged to indicate what the chirping portends on particular days in particular directions.

On Sundays, there are different points that can be understood which depends on the chirping of a lizards. The directions and the emotions can be mentioned as follows.

East-- fear,
South-east-- evil,
South-- good,
South-west-- opportunity to see relatives,
West-- quarrel,
Northwest-- gain of new cloth,
North-- gain of gems,
North-east-- general gain,
Above-- success
Ground -- failure in attempts.

On Mondays, the chirping is said to prophesy as noted below.
East-- gain of wealth
South-east--rebellion
South--enmity
South-west--quarrel
West-- reception from king
North-west--calamity
North-- gain of new cloth
Northeast--marriage
Sky--evil and
Floor-- prosperity.

On Tuesdays, the good or evil indicated by the chirping can be explained as below.
East--prosperity,
South-east-- gain of relatives,
South--sorrow,
South-west--enmity,
West--success,
North-west-- news from distant parts,
North-- fear from enemies,
North-east-- gain of vehicles,
Sky-journeys, and
Ground-- great gain.

On Wednesdays, there are different directions and also different emotion attached to it that is connected with the chirping of the lizard.
East-- joy,
South-east-- gain of wealth,
South-- bodily sickness,
South-west-- loss of relatives,
West-- fear,
North-west-- loss of wealth,
North-- happiness,
North-east-- want of success,
Above-- good news,
Below-- prosperity.

On Thursdays, the good or evil indicated and the entire factor depends upon the chirping of the lizards as well. The following can be mentioned.
East-calamity,
South-east-- good reception from relatives,
South-- gain of wealth,
South-west-- success in all the undertakings,
West-- loss,
North-west-- good news,
North-- failure,
North-east-- good meals, and above or below-rebellion.

On Fridays, the following particulars can be mentioned.
East-- good news,
South-east-- decoration,
South-- visit of relatives,
South-west-- good news,
West-- joy,
North-west-- quarrel and rebellion in the house,
North-- quarrelsome and rebellious words,
North-east-- victory over the enemy,
Above-- gain of things,
Below-- freedom from pollution.

On Saturdays also there are particularities which can be mentioned as.
East-- good words,
South-east-- gain of wealth and sandal paste,
South-- audience with the king,
South-west-- sickness,
West-- gain of new cloth,
South-west-- relationship with a new woman,
North-- pleasing or agreeable news,
North-east-- fear from thieves,
Above-- failure in attempts, and
Below-- success in everything.

During the Sangam era, even the smallest creatures found their way into human imagination, and lizards were no exception. Far from being mere reptiles, their distinctive chirping sounds were believed to carry hidden meanings, serving as omens that guided people’s thoughts and actions.

The Sangam poet Kavan Mullai Putanar captures this belief vividly. In Akam 151, he describes a lizard perched on a Kalli tree, its sharp “tick-tick” sound taken as a sign by weary travellers about what awaited them on their journey. Another poet, in Akam 387, notes how wayfarers often paused in their tracks, attentive to the subtle clues hidden in the lizard’s call. The belief extended beyond human beings. Akam 186 narrates the curious case of a boar that turned away from a millet field simply after hearing the sound of a lizard. Such accounts reveal the deep symbolic weight that these creatures held in everyday life.

Interpretations of the lizard’s chirping were not straightforward. Much depended on the number of calls, the direction from which the sound arose, and even the day of the week. With multiple lizards often calling at once from different directions, decoding these signals became a complex task. For example, two chirps from the southeast on a Monday were believed to foretell rebellion, while the same sound on a Friday suggested the promise of honor or decoration. On Tuesdays, the call warned of enmity, but on Saturdays, it hinted at the possibility of a new romantic connection.

Through such layered meanings, Sangam literature reveals how closely the ancient Tamils observed the natural world, weaving it into their system of signs and omens.