What Does It Mean When You See A Cardinal? Spiritual Symbolism
Cardinals are a type of songbird found throughout North and South America. If you live in the mid-to-east US region, it’s likely you’ll spot cardinals in your garden or the woodlands from time to time. Cardinals have perplexed humans in sometimes strange but usually uplifting ways.
They’ve been used to symbolize varying meanings, usually positive. Some people believe cardinals represent strength, while others believe they’re nature’s metaphor for love or romance. So, what does it mean when you see a cardinal?
Cardinal Meaning and Symbolism
You may not be a fan of superstitions, which is perfectly reasonable, but there’s no harm in trying to search for an ode to positivity in nature. Cardinals are beautiful birds and, for inexplicable reasons, have held influence over people’s lives.
So, if you’ve been wondering what does it mean when you see a cardinal, here are some of the common meanings and symbols cardinals have represented and frequently done justice to.
#1. Messengers
To some people, cardinals are messenger birds, carrying messages from loved ones that have recently departed from this life. Most people interpret it as their loved ones letting them know that they’re at peace and watching over them. It’s a sign that helps people find a sense of security after their loss.
#2. Love
It’s been observed that cardinal birds are very loyal to their partners, which is uncommon for most animals in nature. For that reason, they’ve often been associated with romantic love. A lot of Valentine’s day cards and gifts feature pictures of cardinal birds. If you’re single and see a cardinal bird, it’s possibly a sign of impending romance.
#3. Luck
This interpretation of a cardinal bird sighting has its roots in Native American culture. The Native Americans associated the number 12 with luck or the sign of something positive about to happen. It’s because cardinal birds often lay 12 eggs.
They’re also a type of bird that doesn’t migrate, so you can see them all 12 months of the year. If you see a cardinal, something good might be underway in your destiny in about 12 hours or 12 days or 12 weeks.
#4. Dreams
Whether you associate cardinals with love, hope, determination, luck, or courage, ultimately, they all encourage you to have a more positive outlook. Cardinal birds have been known to enter people’s dreams and send signals. Most of the time, it’s taken as a sign that you need to follow your dream or goal with fortitude.
#5. Bad Omens
Cardinals are beautiful birds, and so heavily entwined with positivity, it’s hard to ever picture them as bearers of bad news. However, there have been times when cardinals have signaled caution as opposed to good fortune.
For instance, some people believe if you ever see a cardinal hit your window or tap the windshield, it’s a sign of death. Someone you know or love may be leaving soon.
#6. Seeing 2 Cardinals
Catching 2 cardinals having fun, rubbing their fluffy bodies against each other, and singing in harmony is a stroke of luck. The sight of cardinals in glee has infatuated people so much, it’s perceived as a sign that you need to enjoy the beauty in life. You need to pay more attention to the world around you and appreciate the little things you have.
#7. Totem Animal
In ancient cultures, a totem animal is an animal that’s regarded to hold spiritual significance in a person’s life. Totem animals vary from person to person, and each animal represents a unique caricature that exists as a major part of the holder’s personality. Native Americans have often used cardinals as a totem that represents love and enthusiasm for life and people.
Where You Can Find Cardinals
As mentioned earlier, cardinals are found throughout North and South America, and they don’t migrate. But they’re a lot more common in warmer regions, so the closer you are to the south, the more likely you are to spot a cardinal. They’re mostly bright red in color and have a small bell-shaped body with a short break.
If you really want to see them in your backyard, you could try installing some bird feeders or a birdbath, preferably under the tree to give them shelter. Cardinals prefer to feed off the ground, so set them up as close to the ground as you can.
Special Encounters With Cardinals
Here are some short quotes from people describing the unique experiences they’ve had with the cardinals.
“One time, when I was hiking through a mountain trail, a cardinal bird flew over my head and wanted to rest in my hair. I sat extremely still because I didn’t want to frighten the bird off; I’ve always been fond of them. The very next day I received a phone call from my ex-wife, saying she wanted to give us another chance, and it was the best day of my life.”
“It had been almost 2 weeks since my dog passed away, and although I had cried my heart out, I was still feeling really down. I couldn’t stop thinking about my dog until I heard two cardinal birds chirping loudly and flapping their wings over each other playfully.”
“I couldn’t help but smile. It brought me straight back to some of the best memories I’ve had with my dog, which was all the times he tried to get my attention by squealing and jumping about.”
