Bird symbolism and meanings have intrigued people around the world for centuries as they still do today. Perhaps it’s because birds have been blessed with the gift of flight, but these beautiful winged creatures also hold important spiritual meanings for many. In this post, we’ll explore all facets of bird meanings and symbolism.
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The terms “free bird,” “early bird,” and “birds of a feather” are familiar sayings to many of us. Indeed, they underscore just how much our feathered friends capture our imaginations and have an effect on how we live our day-to-day lives. In addition to these sayings, here are some symbolic attributes that we humans apply to birds:
Birds are symbols of freedom because they can take off and fly, some with the capacity to travel great distances. In fact, birds defy the idea of borders. They can explore and experience the world in ways that most of us cannot.
As symbols of freedom, birds spark our imaginations, making us question both the physical and imaginary constraints that could be holding us back from reaching our full potential.
The term “a bird’s eye view” is derived from the bird’s ability to soar into the sky and see the world from a different perspective, which we can’t experience on the ground. So, in addition to freedom, the bird is a symbol of seeing, or understanding, things from a different vantage point.
Birds also symbolize the idea of seeing the bigger picture vs. getting caught up in the details.
Many species of birds are known for their intricate vocalizations and ability to communicate with not only their own species but animals of all types. Thus, the bird is also a symbol of communication and connection. They remind us that life is not just about going it alone, but interacting with others and striving for better understanding of each other.
Along the lines of communication, many birds are known for their beautiful songs. Hence the saying he or she “sings like a bird” is used to describe a singer with a beautiful voice.
In fact, the chirping tones of bird songs have inspired musicians throughout history as well as bird watchers who simply seek out certain species to hear their songs.
Birds remind us that music can be one of the greatest pleasures in life and our favorite songs can make up the soundtrack of our lives.
Some species of birds, such as cranes, travel thousands of miles during their seasonal migrations, enduring a range of challenging conditions as they do. As a result, bird symbolism also includes the idea of travel and adventure. In fact, birds inspired human beings to create airplanes, which have enabled so many of us to experience parts of the world that would have been impossible otherwise.
Birds are arguably some of the most beautiful creatures who exist on our planet. In addition, their graceful movements embody the idea of elegance. As a result, bird meaning is also synonymous with grace and elegance, two qualities that life would be dreary without.
Birds are often regarded as symbols of purity because of their association with air, the sky, and the heavens. When they take flight, it’s as though they transcend the challenges, or impurities, of Earth and the material world.
As well, aquatic birds are associated with the water element, which is also a symbol of purification and transformation.
In addition, many birds enjoy bird baths, shaking off their feathers as they get clean.
Thus, the bird is a reassuring symbol that we have the chance to “purify” our thoughts or renew ourselves in many different ways.
The term “love birds” to describe two people who are smitten with each other is not some random expression. In fact, 90 percent of birds are monogamous, with many species mating for life. So, birds are beautiful symbols for romantic love, bonding, and committing yourself wholeheartedly to your partner.
A bird soaring high in the sky can remind us of our own aspirations and reaching for our highest potential.
In addition, birds and bird songs are associated with the arrival of springtime and, thus, new beginnings.
So, the bird is also a symbol of hope and the promise of a brighter future.
Throughout history, in many cultures, birds have been viewed as messengers. Not only have they been used to literally carry messages, as pigeons have, they’re also believed to carry messages from the divine.
In addition, despite the term “bird brain” being used to describe someone who isn’t that smart, birds are actually very intelligent creatures. Notably, owls, hawks, and ravens are considered to be some of the most intelligent animals.
Thus, bird meaning also includes wisdom and divine guidance.
An important aspect to what birds represent to us is their spiritual significance. In addition to some of the meanings referenced above, here are some spiritual meanings that are applied to birds:
There is a saying that goes, “When cardinals appear, angels are near.” This saying stems from a belief that many people share, which is that divine energy manifests through birds.
Cardinals and hummingbirds, in particular, seem to be especially receptive to this energy.
However, in general, as with butterfly meaning, all birds are associated with angels and messages from spirit guides.
Because they can seemingly soar into the heavens, birds have long been associated with divinity. In fact, in Native American cultures, the bird was viewed as a communicator between the People and the Great Spirit. Likewise, in Judeo-Christian beliefs, the bird is sometimes seen as a messenger for God. Similarly, in Hinduism, the mythical bird-like creature called the Garuda represents the power and strength of the divine.
In addition to their association with God, or a Higher Power, the bird is a symbol for the Holy Spirit in Christian beliefs. For example, in Matthew 3:16,1 when Jesus is getting baptized, the Holy Spirit is depicted in the form of a dove. In this case, the dove represents spiritual transcendence and the presence of God.
Many birds have very acute senses, which enable them to detect a variety of stimuli in their environments. For example, the term “eagle eye” is used to describe someone who is highly astute because eagles have incredibly powerful vision: They can spot prey from miles away. In fact, in a number of ancient cultures, including Native American culture, people believed that eagles could see what was going to happen on Earth before it actually occurred.
In addition, some birds, such as owls and pigeons, have incredible navigational skills.
These qualities, along with birds’ association with angels and the divine, is why they are also symbols of extra sensory powers, or psychic abilities.
Birds have long been associated with the human soul. This is in part because they can soar above the earth. So, the bird is a metaphor for the human soul leaving its earthly body and ascending to a higher spiritual level. In addition, as birds symbolize freedom, they represent the idea of the soul achieving spiritual enlightenment.
Just as birds can be a symbol of the human soul, they are also symbols of spiritual transformation and ascendance. In particular, water birds, such as ducks and herons, embody the concept of transformation as they exist in the elements of water and earth, yet can fly seemingly to the heavens.
In the Bible, birds are symbols that convey a wide range of meanings. Some of the meanings include the Holy Spirit, freedom, gifts from God, and divine providence, as well as greed, sin, and death.
Experiencing birds in different contexts can also have special meanings. Of course, these experiences are personal, so they are highly dependent on your own experience and interpretations. However, in folklore, these common situations have some clear symbolic meanings. Here are some examples:
Seeing birds flying overhead can indicate the need for more freedom in your life. It can be a sign that it’s time for you to “think outside the box” or broaden your horizons.
Seeing multiple birds flying in formation can symbolize a return to family values or rebuilding the structures in your close relationships. It can also signify creative or business collaboration that will create greater outcomes.
In addition, birds flying overhead symbolizes positive omens and hope for the future.
It’s understandable to be upset if you come across a dead bird. You might immediately think that it means the opposite of all of the positive meanings applied to birds. However, instead of viewing it as a negative experience, consider that you have been chosen to honor the bird’s life.
When souls are freed of their earthly bodies, they still have some interest in what happens to the vehicle that carried them in the material world. This is why it’s so important to pay respect to the bodies of those who pass, including birds.
So, if you come across a dead bird, you can say a prayer or meditate to honor their life, and, if possible, dispose of their body in a respectful way.
It may come as a surprise, but in some cultures, such as Russia and Japan, a bird pooping on you is a sign of good luck to come. As birds are symbols of good luck and fertility, a bird pooping on you, particularly on your head, is a positive sign.
Because most birds are monogamous, when you see two birds together, you are most likely seeing a bonded pair. So, seeing two birds together is a very positive sign for finding true love or that you have already met your romantic soulmate.
A bird flying into your house can be a sign of good luck to come or an important message for you from the spiritual realm. It can also indicate that you have been called upon to serve a higher spiritual order, or God.
A bird who flies into your house will not be in their element. So, it’s up to you to help guide them outside to freedom. In this way, you are a person who possesses higher spiritual awareness than many people you will come into contact with. So, it’s part of your purpose to help elevate the vibration, such as spreading more compassion, awareness, and understanding.
A bird is a wonderful symbol for a tattoo because they are not only beautiful, they have deep and varied symbolic meanings. So, just as birds have a variety of unique meanings, so do tattoos. Hopefully learning more about bird symbols will help you decide on your tattoo design or bring added meanings to an existing tattoo.
Like tattoos, dreams are personal to each dreamer. So, bird dream meanings will vary widely and will depend on the context, details, and types of birds in your dream.
However, be sure to take into account the emotions you felt in your dream, as one thing we all have in common is that our subconscious emotions don’t lie to us. As you consider those feelings, you can layer in the various meanings applied to birds, and hopefully you will gain added insights into what your dream is telling you.
We are blessed to have such a stunning variety of beautiful birds on our planet. Because each species is so unique, different types of birds have their own symbolic meanings. Here are some of the meanings applied to specific bird species:
Good luck, positive omens, freedom, purification, spiritual growth
Intelligence, wisdom, mysticism, transformation, mystery
Protection, courage, communication, dreams, opportunity
You can read more details on blue jay meaning in my post about blue jay symbolism.
Friendship, loyalty, hope, joy, home, music, purification
Angels, love, devotion, companionship, home, good luck, music, flair
You can read more details on cardinal meaning in my post about cardinal symbolism.
Cleverness, trickery, adaptability, teamwork, sociableness, reciprocity, transformation, psychic abilities
You can read more details on crow meaning in my post about crow symbolism.
Grace, devotion, faithfulness, travel, aspiration, longevity, immortality
You can read more details on crane meaning in my post about crane symbolism.
Peace, love, navigation, gentleness, the Holy Spirit, the soul, hope
You can read more details on dove meaning in my post about dove symbolism.
Laughter, happiness, good luck, bonding, emotional stability, odd couples, romantic love, purification, spiritual transformation
You can read more details on duck meaning in my post about duck symbolism.
Bravery, loyalty, devotion, freedom, independence, truth, honor, the Divine, hope, foresight
You can read more details on eagle meaning in my post about eagle symbolism.
Grace, purity, peacefulness, travel, transformation, divinity
You can read more details on egret meaning in my post about egret symbolism.
Speed, power, agility, navigation, freedom, nobility, bravery, victory, mysticism
Beauty, balance, elegance, vibrancy, romance, flirting, pizzazz, parties
You can read more details on flamingo meaning in my post about flamingo symbolism.
Elegance, patience, self-possession, wisdom, messages, transformation, good fortune
You can read more details on heron meaning in my post about heron symbolism.
Joy, healing, beauty, good luck, variety, angels, messengers, flirtatiousness, agility
You can read more details on hummingbird meaning in my post about hummingbird symbolism.
Music, melancholy, nighttime, the moon, sweetness, creativity, inspiration, enchantment
Wisdom, knowledge, intuition, independence, courage, protection, observation, intuition, supernatural powers
You can read more details on owl meaning in my post about owl symbolism. And if you’re curious about white owl meaning in particular, please see my post on white owl symbolism.
Beauty, vivacity, communication, intelligence, fun, humor, companionship
Selflessness, charity, transformation, order, healing, renewal, abundance, prosperity
Spectacular beauty, masculine power, sisterhood, protection, showmanship, renewal, immortality, good luck
You can read more details on peacock meaning in my post about peacock symbolism.
The phoenix is a mythical bird who has powerful symbolic meanings, including: rebirth, renewal, self-care, healing, immortality, energy, eternal fire
You can read more about phoenix bird meaning in my post about the phoenix.
Intelligence, cunning, survival, partnerships, guidance, opportunity, transformation, the Third Eye, prophecy, insights
You can read more details on raven meaning in my post about raven symbolism.
A variety of birds come in shades or scarlet, crimson, and other red hues. And each species has their own set of unique meanings. However, here are some general meanings that are applied to red birds: angels, romantic love, passion, energy, security, protection, determination, and good fortune.
You can read more about red bird meanings in my post about red bird symbolism.
New beginnings, renewal, rebirth, emotional growth, opportunity, resourcefulness, optimism
Community, simplicity, minimalism, diligence, music, happiness
Grace, beauty, purity, eternal love, self-discovery, emotional growth, transformation, divinity
Fertility, childbirth, family, community, abundance, prosperity, resourcefulness, regeneration, travel
Speed, agility, protection, good fortune, power in numbers, collaboration, creativity
Practicality, resourcefulness, patience, family, purification, transformation, the cycle of life
You can read more in my dedicated post on vulture meaning.
Creativity, diligence, focus, rhythm, resourcefulness, awakening, support
Birds are captivating subjects who spark our imaginations and sense of wonder. While they exist for themselves, we can’t help but feel like they’re gifts to the world who make it a more beautiful and wondrous place. Undoubtedly this is why they symbolize so many important aspects of our own lives.
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4 Responses
I had a vision of flock of white birds probably pigeons dead or fainted on the ground, also I had another vison very next day of group of crows circling around with a raven staring on me on a street lamp, after these events i had a fear of going to hell, both of these vison occur during night, I am a Christian who goes to church regularly,can you please interpret this visions for me
Hello, I am sorry that these visions scared you. Please remember that divine energy can manifest through all living beings, and some are more receptive to this loving energy than others. Think of people you know who seem to radiate positive, loving energy – they seem to be angels walking among us. They are an expression of this energy. Of course, Jesus was a pure and powerful manifestation of this divine energy in a human form. He came to teach us about this. Animals are also receptive to this divine energy. Birds are especially.
If you come across a dead animal, or even dream about one, I believe you are being called upon to honor their life with a prayer. As I understand, when people or animals leave their earthly bodies and are in spirit form, their souls do have an interest in what happened to their earthly bodies. This is why we have burials or cremation or at least offer a prayer when someone passes. So, I think you are being called to honor their spirits.
White birds, as the pigeons you saw dead or having fainted, are symbols of purity and divinity. So, perhaps your vision is a reminder of this divine energy and that you are here to honor and embrace this loving energy.
Crows and ravens are symbols of transformation as well as intelligence and intuitive abilities. So, they can represent that you are going through a spiritual awakening, and your intuitive abilities being heightened. This is happening for many people on Earth right now because we are going through a rapid expansion of human consciousness right now.
I think your fear of hell simply shows your awareness of negative energy in the world and the Universe. You are not a person who is avoidant, pretending these things don’t exist, as too many are. Too many look away. You are not one of these people.
So, I see your visions and even your fears as message that you are being called to elevate consciousness. This is why we are all here. Though some of us are sensitive and tune into things more readily than others. You are one of these people. Sometimes we have jarring experiences that remind us. Remember that your sensitivity is a gift. It means you are aware. You are a channeler of divine, loving energy and you are hear to be an expression of that energy and to make the world better. Every vision, every experience you have, every interaction, is an opportunity to make the world better. I know it’s not easy! I have a lot of work to do on this myself! But I do feel it’s true. I hope this helps. Take care!
Thank you so much Kristen, I’ve been waiting for your reply.I am so much relieved after your explanation. You will always be in my prayers.
Thank you!