What Do Birds Symbolize? 45+ Species & Their Spiritual Meanings

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Learn what different birds mean in mythology, religions, & dreams
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Due to their incredible ability to fly, birds are often seen as symbols of freedom, hope, and new beginnings. Many people believe birds act as messengers from the divine, but different bird species can have different roles, depending on the culture and religion. In this article, we’ll uncover all the different meanings of birds, including what they symbolize in the Bible, mythology, and dreams.

This article is based on an interview with our psychic medium and animal communicator, Mari Cartagenova. Check out the full interview here.

Things You Should Know

  • Birds symbolize freedom, hope, new beginnings, strength, love, and joy.
  • Seeing a bird could be guidance from above or a message from passed loved ones.
  • The hummingbird represents joy and spirituality, the phoenix represents rebirth and renewal, the dove represents peace and love, and the raven represents intelligence.
Section 1 of 8:

What do birds symbolize?

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  1. Due to their ability to soar into the skies, birds are believed to be a link between the spiritual and material world. Birds may deliver messages from the divine or passed loved ones, serving as a spiritual guide when it comes to making decisions in waking life. [1] While bird symbolism varies depending on your culture and religion, birds usually bring positive omens like:
    • Strength
    • Love
    • Joy
    • Peace
    • Prosperity
    • Intelligence
    • Courage
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Section 2 of 8:

Bird Symbolism by Species

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    • Albatross: Grace, good luck, emotional intelligence [2]
    • Blackbird: Psychic powers, healing, creativity
    • Bluebird: Happiness, joy, good luck [3]
    • Blue jay: Intelligence, observation, self-awareness
    • Canary: Freedom, joy, happiness [4]
    • Cardinal: Luck, hope, passed loved ones
    • Condor: Strength, self-reflection
    • Crane: Longevity, happiness, good fortune [5]
    • Crow: Intelligence, curiosity
    • Cuckoo: Alertness, infidelity [6]
    • Dove: Peace, hope, love, innocence
    • Duck: Resilience, strength, playfulness [7]
    • Eagle: Strength, courage, freedom
    • Egret: Purity, grace, good fortune
    • Falcon: New opportunities, strategic thinking, victory
    • Finch: Energy, new experiences, connection to family
    • Flamingo: Community, beauty, balance
    • Goose: Bravery, confidence, self-discovery
    • Hawk: Intuition, spiritual awakening
    • Heron: Balance, new opportunities, self-reliance
    • Hummingbird: Joy, playfulness, good luck, spirituality
    • Lark: Hope, light, joy
    • Lovebird: Strength, loyalty, companionship
    • Magpie: Joy, curiosity, determination
    • Mockingbird: Individuality, self-reflection
    • Nightingale: Virtue, creativity, spiritual knowledge
    • Oriole: Friendship, joy, positivity
    • Osprey: Healing, guidance, emotional balance
    • Ostrich: Groundedness, knowledge, strength [8]
    • Owl: Wisdom, mystery, intelligence, protection
    • Parakeet: Integrity, commitment, good luck
    • Parrot: New opportunities, personal transformation
    • Peacock: Healing, confidence, gratitude
    • Pelican: Sacrifice, nourishment, generosity
    • Phoenix: Life, rebirth, renewal, immortality
    • Pigeon: Peace, love, devotion
    • Puffin: Community, loyalty, long life
    • Quail: Courage, protection, self-awareness
    • Raven: Intelligence, creativity, problem-solving
    • Robin: Optimism, hope, resilience, new beginnings
    • Seagull: Freedom, versatility, adaptability
    • Sparrow: Hope, freedom, courage
    • Swan: Love, fidelity, transformation
    • Stork: Life, fertility, resurrection, good fortune [9]
    • Swallow: Hope, love, good luck
    • Vulture: Death, rebirth, patience, protection
    • Woodpecker: Hard work, perseverance, protection
Section 3 of 8:

Native American Symbolism

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  1. In Native American mythology, the thunderbird was considered a powerful spirit in bird form. Many tribes believed the bird could control the weather by shooting lightning from its eyes and causing high winds and thunder when it flapped its wings. [10]
    • The thunderbird was a dominant icon in traditions and artworks, including totem poles, pottery, jewelry, petroglyphs, masks, and carvings.
    • Many legends warn humans not to anger the thunderbird because it could enforce harsh punishments. In fact, one story claims an entire village was turned to stone for their wrongdoings.
  2. Many Native Americans believe that the feather of a bald eagle is a symbol of honor and a connection between humans and the Creator. When a feather falls to the earth, it’s said to be a gift from the sky, the sea, and the trees, and when it’s held over someone’s head, it’s considered a blessing of happiness, peace, and prosperity. [11]
    • If a warrior was especially brave in battle, he was awarded with a feather, which was considered the highest honor.
  3. In Cherokee culture, the cardinal is considered a messenger from the ancestors. If the bird is found singing near the home, it suggests that guests will visit soon. However, if a cardinal actually enters the home, it could be a sign of death—they’re believed to carry the souls of the dead to the Creator. [12]
    • In many southeastern tribes, the cardinal is seen as a positive omen, tied to life, energy, and the sun.
    • For instance, the Akimel O’odham associate the bird with lighting and believe it can predict rain, while Pueblo tribes consider it a directional guide, associated with the south. [13]
  4. According to Native American legend, the Great Spirit ran out of dye when he was giving all the birds their colors, so he painted the bunting with dabs of his remaining colors. Because the bunting was painted last, it is highly esteemed for its selfless behavior, making it the most bold and beautiful bird of all. [14]
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Section 4 of 8:

What do birds symbolize in the Bible?

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  1. Many Christians believe birds signify His hand in all of creation, serving as a reminder to have faith during the darkest times. While different bird species carry different meanings throughout the Bible, birds often represent the all-seeing eye of God:
    • Ravens symbolize God’s grace and protection. In Job 38:41, young ravens cry to God when they have no food and He provides. [15]
    • Eagles symbolize God’s strength and power. In Exodus 19:4, God refers to Himself as an eagle who swept in and carried Israel to safety. [16]
    • Hawks symbolize the will of the Holy Spirit. In Job 39:26, a hawk is used as a spiritual message from God, showcasing His power, guidance, and wisdom. [17]
    • Doves symbolize peace and hope for humanity. In Genesis 8:11, a dove retrieves the olive branch that signifies that Noah and his animals can leave the ark safely. [18]
Section 5 of 8:

What do birds symbolize in Hinduism?

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  1. According to Hindu beliefs, the energy of the woodpecker is believed to activate the root and heart chakra . [19] The root chakra is responsible for making you feel grounded and secure, while the heart chakra is known for helping you feel open, loved, and accepted.
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Section 6 of 8:

What do birds symbolize in mythology?

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    • The goddess Rhiannon used songbirds to provide beautiful music to Welsh warriors. [20]
    • In the story of the Wooing of Étaín, two lost-lovers reunite and transform into swans before returning to the Otherworld.
    • Tales of shapeshifting hawks were often told to represent divine power and desired qualities like strength, nobility, foresight, and wisdom.
    • Ravens are closely linked to the Morrigan, the shape-shifting goddess of death, destiny, and battle. She often turned into a raven on the battlefield to carry away and eat fallen warriors. [21]
    • Crows represent bad fortune because they delivered bad omens to the gods.
    • Owls are symbols of knowledge because they were associated with Athena, the goddess of wisdom.
    • Eagles signify strength, power, and sovereignty because Zeus had the bird as his emblem of war.
    • Sparrows symbolize true love and affection because they were associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love. [22]
    • The caladrius was a snow-white bird that was brought to the bedside of a sick person to foretell whether they would die. If it didn’t look away from the person, they could be healed—the caladrius would absorb their disease and illness, then fly up to the sun to burn it. However, if the bird looked away, the person would die. [23]
    • Picus was a woodpecker sacred to Mars, the planet of energy and initiative. He was widely worshiped in ancient Italy and later became a minor god of agriculture, as well as an important bird of augury. In Virgil’s book of Aeneid, Picus is described as the son of Saturn, father of Faunus, and grandfather of Latinus. [24]
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Section 7 of 8:

What do birds symbolize in dreams?

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  1. The most common themes in bird dreams include freedom, spirituality, communication, renewal, protection, and romantic love. [25] However, the same dream scenario could have different meanings, depending on the context of your dream. Dreams often reveal your hidden thoughts and desires, so pay attention to the details of your dream to understand your emotions in waking life.
    • Dreaming of a dove could symbolize a desire for peace or spiritual connection.
    • Dreaming of a raven could be a sign to let go of the past and embrace the future.
    • Dreaming of an eagle could represent a desire to be free or get in touch with your inner self.
    • Dreaming of an owl could be a sign to believe in yourself or seek guidance from a higher power.
    • Dreaming of a peacock could be a sign to embrace your uniqueness and express yourself creatively.
Section 8 of 8:

What do bird tattoos mean?

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  1. With so many beautiful and unique species, birds are a popular design choice for tattoos. Bird tattoos carry different meanings, depending on the person getting the tattoo, but most people believe they symbolize freedom, growth, transformation, or creativity.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.thecottagemystic.com/bird-symbolism.html
      2. ↑ https://www.thecottagemystic.com/bird-symbolism.html
      3. ↑ https://www.onthefeeder.com/wild-birds/meaning-symbolism/
      4. ↑ https://www.joyceelliott.com/bird-symbolism-meaning
      5. ↑ https://learnbirdwatching.com/bird-symbolism/
      6. ↑ https://thebirdguide.com/most-interesting-bird-symbols-explained/
      7. ↑ https://spiritandsymbolism.com/duck-spiritual-meaning-symbolism-and-totem/
      8. ↑ https://www.journeytreehealing.com/post/bird-symbolism-7-fascinating-birds-and-spiritual-meanings#
      9. ↑ https://www.iemed.org/publication/birds-metaphor-of-the-soul/
      1. ↑ https://www.legendsofamerica.com/thunderbird-native-american/
      2. ↑ https://blog.nativehope.org/the-feather-symbol-of-high-honor
      3. ↑ https://www.cherokee.org/media/hwzdck5e/cardinal.pdf
      4. ↑ https://www.native-languages.org/legends-cardinal.htm
      5. ↑ https://rachelcarsoncouncil.salsalabs.org/paintedbunting#
      6. ↑ https://www.esv.org/verses/Job%2038–41/
      7. ↑ https://www.esv.org/Exodus+19:4–6;Exodus+20:2/
      8. ↑ https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Job-39-26_meaning/
      9. ↑ https://www.esv.org/verses/Genesis+8–11/
      10. ↑ https://whatismyspiritanimal.com/spirit-totem-power-animal-meanings/birds/woodpecker-symbolism-meaning/
      11. ↑ https://www.celticheritage.co.uk/articles_animals.cfm
      12. ↑ https://mythopedia.com/topics/morrigan
      13. ↑ https://classicalstudies.org/sparrow-catullus
      14. ↑ https://blogs.getty.edu/iris/the-caladrius-harbinger-of-hope-or-despair/
      15. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Picus-Roman-mythology#
      16. ↑ https://www.unravelingdreams.com/dreams-about-birds/

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