Many people believe that seeing a cardinal has spiritual or symbolic significance. Cardinals are bright red songbirds with a distinctive crest on their head. They stand out against winter landscapes, which is why spotting one is thought to be lucky or a good omen. But is there any truth to the cardinal superstitions? Keep reading to learn more about cardinal folklore, symbolism, and whether they really are good omens.
What does it mean when you see a cardinal?
Here are some of the common superstitions and meaning associated with seeing cardinals:
A visiting loved one
One of the most widespread cardinal beliefs is that if you see one, it means a deceased loved one is visiting you. Many people report seeing cardinals after a loved one dies, or on their birthday, anniversary of their death, etc. The cardinal is thought to be their spirit coming to connect with you.
Good luck
In many cultures, red is considered the color of good luck. Since cardinals are vibrant red, spotting one is thought by some to be a sign that luck is on your side. You may have a lucky streak coming your way soon.
Cheer and joy
Cardinals are associated with their bright, cheerful color. Their appearance during dreary winter weather can be taken as a sign to boost your mood or attitude. It’s a reminder to focus on the positive.
Protection
Some Native American tribes considered cardinals sacred creatures who would protect their people from harm. When you see one, it may be a sign that you have protective forces watching over you.
Beauty and creation
As songbirds, cardinals are musically inclined and their songs are quite melodious. Their vibrant plumage is also very aesthetically pleasing. Cardinals sightings can symbolize beauty, creativity, and enjoying the simpler things in life.
Determination
Cardinals are territorial and determined birds. They don’t migrate and can tough out harsh winters. A cardinal sighting may be a sign to tap into your own inner determination and resilience.
Cardinal symbolism in religions and cultures
Beyond folklore, cardinals have symbolic meaning in the belief systems of various faiths and cultures:
Christianity
In Christianity, cardinals represent joy, hope, and the living blood of Christ. Their red color is associated with the pentecostal fire of the holy spirit. Cardinals are one of the most commonly recognized birds associated with Christmas.
Native American
Cardinals play a role in the cosmology of some Native American tribes of the Southeast and Midwest regions. They are associated with the life-giving elements of fire and sun. In Cherokee traditions, cardinal directions each have a corresponding symbolic color, and North is represented by red for the cardinal.
China
In Chinese culture, red cardinals are said to attract fortune and luck into your life. Spotting one means good things are in store.
Ireland
An old Irish saying goes “When the cardinal comes to call, he’s whispering his secrets to us all.” Cardinals sightings are thought to be the cardinal delivering an important message for you.
Scientific explanation
Now that we’ve covered the mythology, let’s look at the science behind why people often notice cardinals in winter:
Cardinals don’t migrate
Most cardinals don’t migrate, they remain in their breeding range year-round. So while other colorful songbirds head south for winter, cardinals stick around, brightening up the snowy landscape.
Territorial and aggressive in winter
Cardinals are exceptionally territorial. This behavior intensifies in winter when cardinals are defending valuable food resources. Frequent run-ins with feisty cardinals makes them more noticeable.
Courting and nesting season
Late winter is early mating and nesting season for cardinals. Increased activity and loud singing makes them more visible as they search for mates and defend nesting areas.
Stand out against snow
A cardinal’s bright red plumage contrasts starkly with white snowy settings, making them easy to spot. Their color reflects more light than other birds, further enhancing their visibility.
Increase in backyard bird feeding
More people feed birds in winter when natural food sources are scarce. This draws cardinals into populated areas, giving more opportunity for sightings.
So the scientific reasons cardinals are spotted more often in winter lend some credibility to the superstitions. Their behavior does make them more visible and memorable.
Are cardinals really good omens?
There is no definitive scientific proof that cardinal sightings influence fortune or carry messages. But the longstanding cultural and spiritual beliefs surrounding cardinals suggest they have symbolic value for many people.
Here are two perspectives on viewing cardinals as omens:
Supporting perspectives
- Long history of cardinal symbolism across cultures indicates an innate human connection
- Believing cardinals are messengers or signs can bring comfort, hope, and meaning
- Noticing cardinals more may simply make us more likely to notice positive events
- Cardinals remind us of loved ones and reinforce a spiritual afterlife
- Adds magic and mysticism to the natural world
Skeptical perspectives
- No scientific evidence cardinals influence events or luck
- Cardinal symbolism is based on spiritual conjecture, not facts
- Coincidental occurrences are misinterpreted as related to the cardinal sighting
- Enhanced winter visibility explains increased sightings, not supernatural causes
- Searching for meaning in random events is inherently subjective
So weighing the available evidence, it seems the optimistic belief that cardinals are good omens has rationale on both sides. You certainly can still appreciate cardinals for their aesthetic beauty regardless of your stance on their symbolism.
Notable cardinal legends and folklore
Cardinals have starred in myths and stories across many cultures. Here are some noteworthy examples:
Cherokee legend
A Cherokee legend describes how the cardinal got his distinctive crest. Originally, the cardinal was plain and drab. But he helped a young girl in trouble, rescuing her from a rough river. The Great Spirit rewarded the cardinal by letting him use the sun’s paintbrush, turning him brilliant red and giving him an elegant crest.
French Canadian folklore
French Canadian folklore also attributes the cardinal’s bright crest to nobility. When Jesus was born, they say all the birds came to pay homage except the cardinal. As a punishment for his absence, God turned his feathers bright red and condemned him to wear his crest forever hanging down in shame.
Catholic story of the Christmas Spider
A legend around a European Christmas tradition involves cardinals. As the story goes, a poor family had no decorations for their Christmas tree except spiders. The spiders decorated the tree with beautiful webs. The cardinals from the forest were so taken by the sight that they flew in to lay red berries on the webs, completing the ornamentation.
Poetry and literature
Cardinals have inspired poets, authors, and songwriters across genres to use them as muses or symbols:
- Poet Emily Dickinson wrote “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all” about a cardinal’s hopeful song
- A chapter in the American classic To Kill a Mockingbird describes cardinals as reminders to be yourself
- Cardinals appear in the play The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams as symbols of hope and adventure
- Song lyrics such as “Cardinal Red” by folk singer Steve Forbert link cardinals to cherished memories
These examples demonstrate how cardinals have inspired creative legends, stories, and works of art over the years.
Interesting cardinal facts
Beyond the folklore, cardinals have many fascinating facts worth noting:
Physical features
- Adult cardinals have a distinctive red plumage, black face mask, and red crest
- Males and females have similar coloring, though females have more brownish and duller shades
- Cardinals molt and grow new feathers each year before winter
- Their average lifespan in the wild is 1-3 years
- They grow to about 8-9 inches in length and weigh 1-2 ounces
Behavior and characteristics
- Cardinals are songbirds capable of over 15 varying melodious songs and calls
- They are territorial and aggressive, especially defending food and nest sites
- Cardinals form monogamous pair bonds that can last multiple seasons or life
- Though not a migratory species, some northern cardinals may relocate south for winter
- Cardinals can be found across eastern, central, and parts of southern North America
Diet and feeding
- Cardinals are omnivores, eating insects, spiders, seeds, grains, nuts, fruit, and berries
- About a third of their diet consists of insects and spiders, more in summer
- Favorite fruits include mulberries, wild grapes, and blackberries
- Cardinals feed on the ground and in shrubs and trees
- Backyard bird feeders may attract cardinals with offerings of sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and mealworms
Nesting and reproduction
- Cardinals nest in shrubs, small trees, or vines, typically 5-10 feet off the ground
- Nests are cup-shaped and made from twigs, bark, grasses, and other plant materials
- Females lay 2-5 eggs, pale white to greenish blue marked with brown
- Incubation lasts 9-13 days; both parents feed the hatchlings
- Cardinals can have multiple broods per mating season from spring through summer
These interesting traits make cardinals a beloved and iconic backyard bird.
Conclusion
The cardinal is more than just a red bird to many people. Its rich symbolism has significance across cultures, faiths, legends, and personal experiences. While science may debunk some mystical explanations around cardinals, the appeal of their lore endures. Whether you view cardinals as spirit messengers or just colorful songbirds, a sighting is often a special wildlife encounter. Appreciating the cardinal’s beauty, songs, and spirit can be meaningful in its own right. So next time you spot a brilliant red cardinal, let it inspire whatever hope, cheer, or significance your beliefs dictate.