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Bird Symbol
There is no exact definition for any symbol; all symbols are open to
interpretation and birds are no exception to this. Their symbolism can
vary greatly depending on different cultures and religion. The bird is
generally thought to symbolize freedom, they can walk on the earth and
swim in the sea as humans do but they also have the ability to soar into
the sky. They are free and many consider that they symbolise eternal life;
the link between heaven and earth. Many cultures believe that certain
symbols are an omen of impending birth or death. In the traditional
English rhyme the sight of three magpies signifies the birth of a girl
whereas seeing four magpies signifies the birth of a boy. Seeing a
particular number of Magpies determines whether it is a good or bad luck
symbol:
"One for sorrow, two for
joy,
Three for a girl, four for a boy,
Five for silver, six for gold,
Seven for a secret never to be told"
Bird Symbol - Origin
The earliest
known bird was the 'Archaeopteyx' and lived approximately 147 million
years ago.
Bird Symbol - Meaning
Many birds
have deep symbolic significance. Birds are said to be able to
communicate with gods; they can ascend into heaven and birds are even a
feature of the Tree of Life often depicted with a serpent at their feet.
The symbol of the blackbird for example has a deep significance to Christians. The
Devil appeared to St Benedict to tempt him in the form of a blackbird.
In Christianity, Blackbirds also symbolise temptation of the flesh. The
bird also has symbolic meaning to other religions:
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In Islam it is believed that souls of Infidels enter birds of
prey whereas the souls of the faithful enter the tree of life
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Bird Symbol in Buddhism: A bird symbolisms the Lord Buddha
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Bird Symbol in Christianity: Christians believe that birds or
winged creatures represent the souls in paradise
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Hindu: The mythical bird Garuda is the bird of life, of the sun
and the sky. The Garuda bird appears in both Hindu and Buddhist
mythology
Other cultures have their own theory on the symbol of the bird. The Maori
people believe that the symbol of the bird man is the all-seeing being with
strength and valour. The Celtic people believed in the spiritual
symbolism that the bird symbol was a
messenger of the gods. The bird symbol of the Raven and the Wren specifically had
magical powers. The ancient Egyptians believed that the bird
symbol represents the power of the soul leaving a persons body. The ancient
Chinese philosophy Taoism (also known as Daoism) believes that a
three legged red crow which lives in the sun symbolises the Great
Triad which is the three great powers of being: Man, Heaven and
Earth.
'That ungentle gull, the cuckoo's bird.'
Shakespeare
Bird Symbol -
Facts
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Many flocks of birds are believed to have supernatural and
magical powers are are associated with gods; the Wren and the
Raven in particular
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The Mockingbird is the state bird for the following US states:
Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas
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The Northern Cardinal is the state bird of seven US states
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In China, it is believed that the soul of the sun takes the form
of a Crow or a Raven
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The Raven is believed by some cultures to be a symbol of
impending death! It is believed to be able to smell death
before it occurs
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Native Americans and Africans believe that a Raven guides the
dead on their journey to the next world or afterlife
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Three US states hunt their state birds, these are the California
Quail in California, the Common Pheasant in South Dakota and the
Ruffed Grouse in Pennsylvania
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In Scandinavia, the Raven is thought to contain the soul of
murdered people
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The ancient Romans detested Owls as they saw them as a symbol of
death
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Birds are considered by many cultures to be symbols of wisdom
and intelligence
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In Western Art, the bird often symbolizes touch and air
Bird Symbol - Crow Symbol
Find out
interesting information and useful facts about the Crow. This free
symbols resource on birds provides interesting, educational and
amazing facts and information, together with pictures, photos and a
fun video on the different symbols. Lots of useful information on
the Crow. Did you know that the Crow was sacred to the Greek god Apollo?
Just one of a selection of amazing facts on the Crow!
Bird Symbol - Dove Symbol
Did you know
that the environmental group Greenpeace uses the image of a dove
carrying an olive branch as a symbol of peace and hope? This is
just one of a selection of interesting facts on the dove as a
symbol. A useful free educational resource for all ages. Discover a
wide range of useful facts on the dove symbol, fun, free and
educational!
Bird Symbol - Blackbird Symbol
Birds are
generally thought of as symbols of freedom. Did you know that the Blackbird is commonly thought to symbolise temptation of the
flesh? This free symbols resource on birds provides interesting,
educational and amazing facts and information, together with
pictures, photos and a fun video on the different symbols including
the blackbird.
Bird Symbol - Bald Eagle Symbol
Find out
about the Bald eagle, interesting facts and information. Did you
know that the
The Bald Eagle is the national bird or symbol of the US? Lots of
useful information on the bald eagle symbol including dream
interpretation. Lots of interesting information and useful facts
about the iconic bald eagle.
Bird Symbol - Swan Symbol
Find out lots
of interesting and useful information on the symbolism of the Swan.
Were you aware that unlike other birds, the male and female swans are the same color?
The only obvious difference is size, male swans are larger than
females. This free symbols resource on birds including the swan
provides interesting, educational and amazing facts and information,
together with pictures, photos and a fun video on the different bird
symbols.
Bird Symbol - Hummingbird Symbol
This free
symbols resource on the humming bird provides interesting,
educational and amazing facts and information, together with
pictures, photos and a fun video on these wonderful creatures. Did
you know that the humming bird is the only bird that can fly
backwards? Its true! Find out lots of educational, interesting, fun
and most importantly free facts about the amazing humming bird!
Bird Symbol - Phoenix Symbol
The Phoenix
is known as the 'fire bird'. It is in fact a mythical bird and also
a symbol of the sun. This is just a selection of the interesting and
educational facts on the Phoenix symbol. Discover what it means to
dream of a Phoenix, what is the religious significance of this
amazing bird?
Bird Symbol - Crane Symbol
Did you know
that
Native American men perform the Crane dance dressed in feathers
and ceremonial outfits in order to impress a potential wife?
Amazing but true! Click on the link above to find out more about the
crane symbol. A great educational resource for all ages. Discover
all you need to know about the Crane!
Bird Symbol - Owl Symbol
The owl is considered
by many to be a symbol of wisdom, a wise bird. In fact they
are no more intelligent than any other bird! Find out all you
need to know about the owl. we have included lots of educational,
interesting, fun and most importantly free facts about the amazing
owl! A great selection of bird facts. What does it mean to dream of
an owl? Find out all you need to know!
Bird Symbol - Peacock Symbol
Did you know
that
Peacock feathers are considered to be unlucky? It is thought the
'evil' eye on the feather will be a symbol of bad luck for the
owner. This is just one of a selection of interesting and
educational facts about the Peacock, a truely unique bird. Use this
free educational resource, its suitable for all ages. Discover a
wide range of useful facts on the peacock symbol, its fun, free and
educational!
Bird Symbol - Duck Symbol
Lots of
interesting and unusual facts on the Duck symbol. Did you know that
Peking Duck is one of the national dishes of China? Its a fact!
Find out what the Christian significance of a duck is. What does it
mean to see a duck in your dreams? Find out the answers, all you
need to know about the Duck symbol!
Bird Symbol - Raven Symbol
Did you know
that some cultures believe the Raven to be a symbol of
impending death! The raven bird is believed to be able to smell death
before it occurs! Scary but true. Find a selection of
interesting and educational facts on the Raven. Why is the Raven
mentioned in the bible? Discover a wide range of useful facts on the
Raven symbol, its fun, free and educational!
Bird Symbol - Bible
The bird is
mentioned several times in the bible and the symbol is referred to in
different contexts:
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Food (Deuteronomy 14:20)
"You may eat all
clean birds. But these are the ones that you shall not eat: the
eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture, the kite, the
falcon of any kind; every raven of any kind; the ostrich, the
nighthawk, the sea gull, the hawk of any kind; the little owl
and the short-eared owl, the barn owl and the tawny owl, the
carrion vulture and the cormorant, the stork, the heron of any
kind; the hoopoe and the bat. And all winged insects are unclean
for you; they shall not be eaten. All clean winged things you
may eat."
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Singing (Psalms 104:12)
"The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the
branches."
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Sacrifice (Genesis 15:9-12)
"So the Lord said to
him, “Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old,
along with a dove and a young pigeon.” Abram brought all these
to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each
other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half. Then birds of
prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away."
Bird Symbol -
Dream Explanation
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Dream of a chirping bird or a flying bird? This symbolizes joy,
harmony, ecstasy, balance, and love. It indicates a sunny
outlook in life. You will experience spiritual freedom and
psychological liberation. It is almost as if a weight has been
lifted off your shoulders
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Dream of a dead or a dying bird? It is thought to symbolize a
period of coming disappointments. You will find yourself
worrying over problems that are constantly on your mind
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Dream of bird eggs? This dream is said to symbolize money!
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Dream of bird hatching? This dream is thought to symbolize future
success
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Dream of a bird nest? This symbolizes independence, refuge and
security. You need something to fall back on. Alternatively, it
may signify a prosperous endeavour, new opportunities as well as
fortune
Bird Symbol -
Dream Interpretation
The following
explanation of dreams is taken from the book entitled 'Dream
Dictionary (10,000 Dreams Interpreted - by Gustavus Hindman Miller)':
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It is a favorable symbol in a dream to see birds of beautiful plumage. A
wealthy and happy partner is near if a woman has dreams of this
nature
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Moulting and song less birds, could denote merciless and inhuman
treatment of the outcast and fallen by people of wealth
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To see a wounded bird, is fateful of deep sadness caused by
erring offspring
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To see flying birds, is a sign of prosperity to the dreamer. All
disagreeable environments will vanish before the wave of
prospective good
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To catch birds, is not at all bad. To hear them speak, is owning
one's inability to perform tasks that demand great clearness of
perception.
Bird Symbol - Color
The bird is
without doubt the easiest of all animals to identify. Birds all
share the same characteristics: wings, feathers and beaks but they
vary greatly in size and most importantly color. In general, a male bird tends to
be brighter and have more colorful feathers than a female bird, this is
because the male uses his colorful feathers to attract a mate or to
warn an intruder that they are trespassing on their territory. The
females duller coloring makes it more difficult for attackers to see
them while they are on their nest.
Bird Symbol
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