Cardinal Pagan Bird Symbol of Renewed Vitality
Winged Power Animal’s Lessons Include Having Pride in Oneself
Nov 14, 2009
Cardinals are songbirds native to North and Central America. Males are noted for their brilliant red plumage while females have dull greyish-tan feathers. Male cardinals with the brightest crimson feathers are likelier to attract mates than their duller colored counterparts.
Cardinals aggressively defend their territory, fighting intruders ferociously. These birds, a member of the finch family, eat grains, seeds, fruit, berries, weeds, bark, blossoms, grasshoppers, snails, cicadas and other insects. They are prey to shrikes, Cooper’s hawks, owls and squirrels. Milk snakes, blue jays, coluber constrictors and chipmunks are also the chicks’ and eggs’ predators. As songbirds, cardinals were valued pets until the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 banned this practice.
Cardinal Symbolism
His keynote is renewed vitality through recognizing one’s personal power. The cardinal’s cycle of power is year-around. Balancing the feminine energy linked to intuition with the male energy associated with perseverance and strength are necessary to attain personal power in order to manifest people’s dreams and goals. The cardinal offers safe passage into the realm of personal power for those who ask for his help. He represents passion, vibrancy and warmth.
The cardinal’s bright red feathers represent blood, the life force, called kundalini by Yoga practitioners. It’s in the root chakra located at the base of the spine. This chakra is related to survival, a person’s identity as an individual, health and security. The kundalini lies dormant until it’s activated by meditation or happens spontaneously.
Lessons Cardinal Teaches
He teaches people that balancing spiritual ideals with physical needs and pleasures is important for all levels of harmony in life. Another lesson is helping people learn to express truth clearly and confidently.
The cardinal reminds people that diet is very important for physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual well being. He reminds people to maintain a sense of pride and to walk with confidence, nobility and grace.
Ojibwa Cardinal Legend
The tribe called the cardinal "Redbird." A long time ago, Raccoon passed by Wolf on a path. As was his habit, he insulted Wolf and Wolf began to chase him. Raccoon ran to hide on a tree limb was over a creek. Although exhausted from a day’s running, Wolf pursued him. Wolf stopped to drink from the creek and saw Raccoon’s reflection in the water. He dove into the water, realized the illusion and almost drowned before he reached shore. Wolf quickly fell asleep, drained from his ordeal. Raccoon saw this, slid down from the tree and plastered Wolf’s eyes shut with clay from the creek’s bottom.
Wolf awoke and struggled to remove the clay. He howled and whined in frustration. An unattractive brown bird heard Wolf's cries went to see if he could help. Wolf told him what had happened. The bird pecked and finally removed the clay. Wolf was so grateful that he asked the bird what he could do to repay him. The bird said it wasn’t necessary. Then, Wolf had an idea. He took the bird to a place where the red rock was. He painted the bird red and said he was “Red Bird” and that his children would be born with beautiful crimson plumage. And, so the boy children bear vibrant red feathers.
Cardinal the Christmas Bird
These birds bring cheer and renewed inspiration on grey gloomy wintry days. Cardinals are nature’s reminder for people to focus on their faith. Christians believe the bird’s scarlet plumage represents the blood of Christ shed for human redemption, making the bird a symbol of the joy of Christmastide.
During the cold winter months, German glassblowers often kept birds in cages to give the feathered winged ones shelter. These birds gave the craftsmen companionship and inspiration for creating new ornament molds in return. Birds became symbols of joy and happiness. In Germany, there’s a legend that birds help Father Christmas, Weihnachtsmann, in watching children’s behavior to ensure they’re good.
Articles Related to Cardinal Symbolism
People who enjoyed this article might want to read Bear – Powerful Pagan Symbol, along with Raven – Enigmatic Pagan Symbol and Swan – Pagan Symbol of Love Grace Soul Beauty.
Source:
Animal Speak, Ted Andrews, (Llewellyn Publications, 2002).
 |
 |
 |
