The liver bird is a mythical creature that has become a symbol of the English city of Liverpool. It is most commonly depicted as a cormorant bird (often incorrectly referred to as a seagull or dove) clutching a liver or other meaty object in its beak. The origin of the liver bird and its association with Liverpool has been the source of much debate and speculation over the years.
History and Origins
While the exact origins of the liver bird are uncertain, it seems to date back several centuries. Some of the earliest references to the liver bird come from Liverpool’s founding documents. When King John of England granted Liverpool a royal charter to become a borough in 1207, he referred to the ‘leverpol’ – old English for a pool or creek with a lot of mud where liver (a thick seaweed) could be found. This may be how ‘Liverpool’ got its name originally.
Some sources trace the liver bird back to the mythical Liver Birds that used to perch on a rock in the River Mersey and were said to watch over the people of the city. According to legend, they ensured that only righteous sailors and ships could enter and leave the port. If the sailors were evil, the birds would raise up a great storm to sink their ships.
Other possible origins include:
- A misinterpretation of the cormorant family seal of the De la Pole family, who were given the Lord of Liverpool title in the 13th century by King John.
- A corruption of the nickname ‘Liverpolians’, referring to people from Liverpool.
- A simplified version of the eagle from the old Liverpool town crest.
So while the exact origin is unclear, the liver bird seems to be a mythical creature that has been associated with Liverpool and its River Mersey for centuries. Over time, it emerged as a symbol of the city.
Symbol of Liverpool
The liver bird firmly established itself as a symbol of Liverpool in the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1581, a liver bird was first featured on the city’s mayoral seal along with a ship – two key symbols representing Liverpool’s prosperity as a port town.
When the College of Arms officially granted Liverpool its coat of arms in 1797, the liver bird was incorporated into the design. It was depicted perched on a branch with leaves, holding a piece of liver in its beak. The College of Arms described it as ‘a cormorant, proper, with a branch of seaweed in its beak’.
Since then, the liver bird has been used extensively as an emblem of Liverpool. It appears on countless objects, buildings, signs, banners, uniforms, advertisements and public art around the city. Some key uses and appearances of the liver bird include:
Year | Notable Liverpool Liver Bird |
---|---|
1911 | Placed on top of the iconic Liver Building as part of its roof decorations |
1960s | Became part of the emblem for Liverpool Football Club |
1996 | Incorporated into the logo for the opening of the Liverpool John Lennon Airport |
2008 | A giant liver bird puppet featured at the city’s European Capital of Culture celebrations |
Over the centuries, the liver bird has come to be a globally recognized symbol of Liverpool and its people. Locals have a strong affection for the bird as a personification of their city’s spirit and hopes.
Description and Symbolism
The most common depiction of the liver bird shows it as a cormorant-like seabird, often with webbed feet, perched upright and gazing towards the viewer’s left. It clutches a liver or other meaty food object like a fish or shrimp in its beak.
The cormorant is an apt bird to represent Liverpool, as large numbers of cormorants and shags have historically inhabited the River Mersey and its coasts. Seabirds in general are a familiar sight around Liverpool’s docks and waters.
The liver clutched in the bird’s beak is thought to represent the city’s maritime connections, prosperity and lifeblood. Historically, human and bird livers were considered a valuable delicacy and nutritious food source. Seabirds feeding on fish livers and other viscera around the active fishing docks may have inspired this aspect of the liver bird symbolism.
While the design can vary, the liver bird is almost always depicted in flight or ready to take off from its perch. This represents Liverpool’s ambitions, readiness for action and determination to succeed.
Other symbolic meanings associated with the liver bird include:
- Vigilance – liver birds were said to watch closely over ships coming and going from Liverpool.
- Good fortune – in legend, they brought good luck to righteous sailors.
- Warning – if sailors were wicked, liver birds foreshadowed storms to sink their ships.
- Rebirth and renewal – migratory seabirds return in spring, just as sailors would return from voyages.
So while the liver bird began as a mythical emblem, it has developed rich symbolic associations with Liverpool’s spirit, vibrancy and maritime connections over the centuries.
The Liver Birds at the Royal Liver Building
Perhaps the most famous depictions of the liver bird are the two giant copper birds that have perched atop the Royal Liver Building in Liverpool since 1911.
The Royal Liver Building was constructed between 1908-1911 on Liverpool’s Pier Head to serve as the new headquarters for the Royal Liver Assurance group. Designed by architect Walter Aubrey Thomas, the building combines elements of Gothic and Baroque architectural styles.
The most striking features were the two liver birds designed by German sculptor Carl Bernard Bartels. Cast in copper alloy with details in bronze, the birds stand sentry over the city on two clock towers at either end of the building. Each liver bird is 5.5 meters high with a wingspan of 4.5 meters.
The birds proudly watch over the River Mersey below and can be seen from vantage points across the city and river. Their location at the top of such an iconic, Liverpudlian building sealed their status as symbols of Liverpool.
One of the birds looks out over the city to represent local businesses and inhabitants keeping watch. The other looks out to sea to represent Liverpudlians’ constant gaze towards the wider world and horizons beyond the city.
Over the decades, the Royal Liver Birds have been restored and repaired several times but remain in place as landmarks over Liverpool. Their impressive presence maintains the legends, hopes and identity of Liverpool surrounding the mythical liver bird creature.
Local Pride and Celebrations
The liver bird remains an enduring source of pride and recognition for Liverpudlians. It connects locals to the identity, spirit and hopes of their city. The bird appears widely in popular merchandise, art and commemorative items that celebrate Liverpool culture.
Key local events incorporating the liver bird include:
- The Liver Birds Carnival held annually since 2015, with costumes, puppets, music and performances.
- Liverpool’s River Festival held at the Pier Head and waterfront regularly includes a 50ft animate liver bird named Liv.
- A liver bird firework display illuminates over the Mersey during annual waterfront fireworks shows.
- Liver bird sculptures and artworks installed along the city’s waterfront for tourists and locals to enjoy.
- Sports teams like Liverpool Football Club incorporate the liver bird in their logos, merchandise and promotions.
While the exact origins of the liver bird may remain mysterious, its continued presence as a Liverpool icon spans centuries and seems assured for generations to come. The liver bird remains a lively personification of the hopes, spirit, history and destiny of both Liverpool the city and its people.
Conclusion
The liver bird is a mythical cormorant-like waterbird that has become an enduring symbol of Liverpool, England over centuries. While its exact origins are uncertain, legends of liver birds guarding the River Mersey date back to the city’s founding in the 13th century. By the 16th and 17th centuries, the liver bird was firmly established as a symbol of a prosperous Liverpool when it was incorporated into the city’s mayoral seal and coat of arms.
The most famous renditions are the copper liver birds perched atop the Royal Liver Building since 1911. These iconic landmarks watch over the city and represent the hopes and spirit of its people. The liver bird remains a popular emblem celebrated in art, events and lore across Liverpool, connecting locals to the identity and destiny of their city. While its origins may remain mysterious, the liver bird looks set to endure as a universal symbol of Liverpool for centuries to come.