Birds hold deep symbolic meaning to human cultures around the world, and have for millennia. Countless myths, legends, and folklore exist across global cultures both revering and vilifying birds – many imbuing birds with supernatural powers. The seemingly strange behaviors of birds – their nocturnal habits, unearthly cries, and cryptic movements – were phenomena quite beyond human comprehension, explained only by assigning birds supernatural abilities.
Birds and bird-like creatures feature prominently as gods in many cultures. In ancient Egypt, falcon-headed Horus was god of the sky, protecting pharaohs and exacting righteousness and justice.
The Thunderbird, symbolizing strength, power, and nobility, is one of the cross-cultural icons in Native American legends, found in the lore of Pacific Northwest, Plains, and Northeastern tribes of North America.
In Roman mythology, Aetos Dios was a giant golden eagle that served as Zeus’s personal messenger and companion.
A visit by the little owl, Athene noctua, was considered a blessing of Athena, the virgin goddess of knowledge and wisdom, in ancient Greece.
Birds also appear in many sacred texts, including the Bible, the Torah, the Qur’an, and the Bhagavad-gita.
Birds as Harbingers of Death
Difficult as it may be for bird lovers to fathom, cultures past and present have regarded certain birds as harbingers of death. Ravens and crows have black feathers, a color associated with sin and death in Western culture. Ravens were known to scavenge the dead on battlefields and in prisons, such as the Tower of London. In German folklore, witches rode ravens instead of brooms and Swedes thought the harsh caw of the crow was the voice of the dead who were not given a proper burial.
Here is a sampling of other chill-inducing bird-lore:
- If a bird flies into your house, there will soon be a death in the family.
- A white bird or a crow flying against a window at night foretells of a death in the house within a year.
- Seeing six crows is a sign of coming death, as is a whippoorwill singing near the house.
- Seeing two turtle doves together in a tree means death is coming.
- If a sparrow attacks a swallow and throws it from its nest (on or near a home), a son will be born and a daughter will die.
- A woodpecker knocking on the house is a death omen.
- A peacock feather brought into the house is taunting death.
- If you walk under a tree in the evening and an owl hoots right above your head, it means a relative or friend of yours will die within a year.
- If an owl hoots while perched on your rooftop, death will pay a visit.
- To hear a rooster crow at your door is a sign of death.
Birds as omens and talismans
In folklore, birds might also reveal the future or serve as intermediaries between the natural and supernatural world. Crows and ravens figure in much of this lore. While some cultures see them as beneficial (though mischievous), others mistrust and fear them.
- In Christian tradition ravens were believed to have special taste for criminals, and to enjoy plucking out the eyes of sinners.
- North American First Nation legends depict the raven as Creator, trickster, and shape-shifter. Raven created the world and saved all animals from a flood, but he also stirred up trouble among humans for his own amusement.
- In Southeast Asia, a crow flying across one's path as one starts on a journey is considered a favorable or unfavorable omen depending on the direction it crosses.
- Ancient Greeks believed that if a single crow appeared at a wedding breakfast, there would be a divorce.
- A destroyed crow’s nest indicates a fire in the area within three days.
- If a crow lands on a house and caws sorrowfully, a calamity is sure to befall it. If, on the other hand, his joyful “carrow” is heard, it is a sign of good luck.
- It is unlucky to kill a robin or a swallow. Swallows are considered sacred because they were thought to have flown around the cross of Calvary.
- In England, the stonechat is believed to be continually chatting with the Devil.
- In parts of the British Isles the chicken is also thought of as a bird of ill omen, due to an old idea that he “crowed for joy” at the hour of crucifixion.
- In Norway, those in search of a drowned body would row around the body of water with a rooster aboard, believing the bird would crow when the corpse was near.
- In France, it was believed that the quail could foretell the price of wheat with the number of his calls, prompting it to be called the “Bird of Prophecy.”
- In Poland, it was believed that girls who died unmarried turned into doves, while those who died married turned into owls. It was also believed that owls did not come out during the day because they were so beautiful and would be mobbed by other birds out of jealousy.
Halloween, a wonderfully pagan holiday originating in Celtic cultures, marks the beginning of the “darker half” of the year and melds the boundaries between this world and the “Otherworld.” The belief that the souls of the dead return home on one night of the year, seeking appeasement, has ancient origins in Celtic and many other cultures around the world. Birds and their symbolic associations play an integral part in this wonderful celebration.
Which bird would you choose to be for Halloween?
Please share your birdy views and news from your pumpkin patch!