The Spiritual Symbolism of Cardinals

The Northern Cardinal is commonly found across the southeastern U.S.
Credit: Ed McAskill

Has a crested red bird recently crossed your path? If so, it may be a message from heaven, or an indication that a loved one has died, according to the longstanding cross-cultural symbolism of cardinals.

While there are three kinds of cardinals in North America, the most familiar is the Northern Cardinal, which is commonly found across the southeastern U.S. and is the state bird of seven states. The male birds are bright red with a spikey crest, while the females sport more subdued tones of brown and auburn.

European Christians arriving in North America associated the birds with the bright red robes worn by Roman Catholic curia, and their crests with a Bishop’s headdress — prompting them to christen them “cardinals” after senior clergy. This, combined with the longtime association of the color red with the blood of Christ, may have contributed to cardinal’s symbolism as messengers of hope or comfort from God. “Every time I see a cardinal, it’s a visitor from heaven,” said Rebecca Granger, according to Birds & Blooms.

Many consider a cardinal’s appearance to be a sign that a loved one has died. Often, this brings comfort — as it did for Erin Calamusso, who was walking in Long Island, New York, four days after his dad died when he spotted a red cardinal on a fence. “I asked for a sign on my walk to clear my head, and this handsome cardinal landed nearby,” he said, according to Birds & Blooms.

The origins of this belief can’t be traced to any one source, says the Farmer’s Almanac, but the birds in general are associated with the spiritual or godly realms in many traditions, including Egyptian, Celtic, Hindu, Ojibwe, and Lakota.

Many individuals have also found comfort in the appearance of feathers following a death — particularly white feathers, which can suggest the presence of angels. Psychologist Vanessa Moore, who interviewed 25 adults who’d lost a loved one, found that more than a quarter identified specific signs associated with their death, including the arrival of feathers or birds.

In the cold months of winter, cardinals can also form a particularly striking image against the white snow, eliciting feelings of hope and joy and making them a common choice for Christmas cards.

The hope and good cheer that cardinals instill can also symbolize romance. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the Choctaw tribe considers “redbirds” to be matchmakers, perhaps due to their tendency for monogamy. Similarly, for those in the New Age community, cardinals can represent platonic love, romance, pregnancy and self-love.

Regardless of one’s beliefs, a cardinal’s appearance is likely to be a blessing — bringing hope, joy and solace in times of grief.