Birds are very prominent in human culture and history, and there are many religions, authors and artists that attribute unique symbolism to birds. While symbols can always be reinterpreted and there are many instances of conflicting symbolism, learning just what birds mean to different cultures and in different contexts is a great way to understand more about birds and just how important they can be.

General Bird Symbolism

While there are nearly 10,000 species of birds in the world, all birds have some general symbolism found in a wide variety of cultures. Because of their ability to fly, birds are often seen as symbols of freedom or escape, and many religious beliefs use birds as a connection to the gods or heavens because of flight and birds' ability to so easily enter realms where humans cannot go – such as roosting on cliffs, crossing great mountains and staying aloft for long periods of time. Birds are often believed to either be representatives of gods or messengers to heavenly figures. In some interpretations, birds can be seen as symbolic of the future and flying into better times, making them symbols of hope.

Specific Birds as Symbols

Rather than granting symbolic status to all birds, many cultures use specific birds for different meanings. While many different birds have a range of symbolic meanings depending on the exact culture, religion, belief system, superstitions or even exactly how a bird is seen or what it may be doing at the time such as singing or nesting, popular bird symbolism often present in a range of uses includes…

• Albatrosses: Bad luck, inclement weather, storms, burdens
• Bluebirds: Happiness, joy, hard work, contentment
• Blue Jays: Energy, curiosity, intelligence, communication
• Canaries: Joy, gossip, harmony, wealth, bliss, benevolence
• Cranes: Resurrection, immortality, renewal, creation, inquisitive nature, integrity
• Doves: Peace, tranquility, love, tenderness, gentleness, devotion, eternity
• Ducks: Family, comfort, good luck, awareness, community, reconnecting, decisiveness
• Eagles: Endurance, dignity, freedom, strength, power, courage, sacred messengers
• Flamingos: Grace, balance, individuality, community, cooperation, contemplation
• Hummingbirds: Enjoyment, sweetness, independence, swiftness, resiliency, flexibility
• Larks: Cheerfulness, self-discovery, abundance, religious messengers
• Magpies: Wickedness, devilishness, mischief, good luck
• Owls: Wisdom, silence, foreshadowing death or doom, evil omens, magic, bad news
• Peacocks: Pride, prestige, protection, arrogance, evil eye, dignity, royalty
• Pelicans: Atonement, sacrifice, abundance, charity, generosity, parental love
• Ravens: Wisdom, teacher, mystery, bad omens, obstinacy
• Robins: Growth, renewal, onset of spring, new beginnings, new opportunities, patience
• Storks: Fertility, birth, creation, longevity, good luck
• Swans: Grace, romance, protection, loyalty, fidelity
• Turkeys: Resourcefulness, good health, togetherness, family
• Vultures: Greed, death, gloom, aggression, gloating

The Good and Bad of Bird Symbolism

While bird symbolism is prevalent in many cultures and different circumstances, there are pros and cons of powerful symbols. When a bird is strongly associated with good fortune as a positive symbol, such as good luck, wealth, fertility, romance, good health or other desirable qualities or favorable conditions, the bird may be well treated and honored as a protected icon. This can lead to great conservation for the symbolic bird and honors such as treating the bird as a desirable totem or positive ambassador. If a bird is associated with negative symbolism such as death, disease, bad luck, poor weather, destruction or accidents, however, birds can create irrational fears or bird-related phobias. This can lead to deliberate persecution of birds that are perceived as bad, including illegal poaching, trapping and hunting. In extreme circumstances, this can not only endanger the bird, but could lead to overall extinction if superstitions are not suitably reversed to help protect the species.

Fortunately, bird symbolism can always be reinterpreted, and conscientious birders can help reverse irrationally bad bird symbolism by sharing their love of birds with others and demonstrating the joy birding can be. By understanding the different symbolic meanings of birds and just how variable those meanings can be, birders can choose to promote birds as positive symbols and lead others to the most important symbol of all – the spark bird that can introduce another new birder to this amazing hobby and help them enjoy all the beautiful symbolism birds can bring.

Photo – Indian Peafowl © Arneliese