Northern Cardinal Symbolism: A Complete Guide

Native to the Americas only, the northern cardinal is not to be missed for its bright red plumage and distinctive crest (in males).

This family of American songbirds is home to many birds, such as jays and buntings, but it’s hard to miss the bright and vibrant northern cardinal when it’s frequenting parks and backyards.

The iconic bird is the state bird of no fewer than seven states (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia) and features prominently in sports team images status. Here is a guide to Cardinal Symbolism in the North.

What does a cardinal symbolize?

In modern Western spirituality, Northern Cardinals evoke endurance, luck, manifestation, devotion, love, devotion, vigor, harmony, vitality, and rejuvenation.

Male Northern Cardinals are intelligent and energetic, so it’s perhaps no surprise that they’re associated with vigor and vigor. Northern cardinals live only in the Americas, and much of their symbology is dominated by Native American mythology and folklore.

Cardinals tend to symbolize things associated with light and positive energy

Native American Folklore and Mythology

In Native American folklore—the northern cardinal is often called the red bird—they are seen as messengers of good and bad news.

For example, in Cherokee mythology, a northern cardinal singing near his home portends imminent visitors, but if someone visits the house in person, it could portend death—because the bird bears the spirits of the dead. Other Cherokee legends refer to the northern cardinal as the daughter of the sun, and they believed the bird could foretell the weather. Some tribes believe encountering a cardinal is a sign of rain.

The Ojibwe people consider cardinals to be alert and keen birds, and the Pueblo tribes consider cardinals to be guardians.

The Akimel O’odham (Pima) people of southern Arizona, Sonora, and Chihuahua associated cardinals with lightning and believed they could predict rainfall. Some people say that meeting a cardinal heralds good luck twelve days later.

Closeup of a perched female northern cardinal

There is a Cherokee story that describes how the redbird acquired its color. In short, the raccoon made the wolf close its eyes with its song. A brown cardinal helps a wolf pluck his eyes in exchange for some red paint.

Pigments in Native American culture are dyes contained in rock formations that were dug up for war painting, ceremonial and decorative purposes. Red paint has sacred value in Native American culture, representing strength, battle, courage, resilience and happiness.

“A little brown bird flew over from the bushes, and when he heard the wolf howling, he asked what was the matter. The Wolf told his story and said, “If you will let me open my eyes, I will tell you where to find some nice red paint to paint yourself.” “All right,” said the brown bird. So he pecked at the wolf’s eyes until he tore off all the plaster.The wolf then took him to a rock with stripes of bright red paint on it, which the bird painted itself on and became a red bird ever since” – How the red bird got its color.

Closeup of a male northern cardinal perched on a branch

Christian Cardinal

Northern cardinals are American birds that don’t appear in the Bible, but they are named after cardinals of the Catholic Church, who were clergy and church officials.

The etymology of the northern cardinal’s name comes from sometime in the 1670s, when the bird was named. The cardinal is named for its bright color and resemblance to the cardinal in the red robe.

Cardinals have become as associated with Christmas decorations in America as robins are with European Christmas decorations. This red bird is sure to evoke warmth on cold winter days and looks great on a Christmas tree!

Northern Cardinal perched on a tree on a spring day

What does it mean if you find a cardinal’s feather?

The red cardinal feather symbolizes strength, courage, passion, vigor and vitality. Their bold red hue (in the case of the male plumage) is as beautiful as it is powerful.

They also symbolize the pursuit of one’s goals or happiness, vitality and determination to keep going.

What if a cardinal appeared in your dreams?

Seeing a cardinal in a dream is a powerful omen with mostly positive connotations.

This energetic, energetic and determined bird symbolizes the strength and courage to move forward through difficult times or to get through challenging times in life. They also symbolize passion and love, and may indicate longing in a relationship.

These vibrant birds are also reassuring and demonstrate that there is color, beauty and brightness even in dark moments.

Male northern cardinal eating seeds from a feeder

When a cardinal crosses your path?

Crossing the road with a northern cardinal is, for the most part, one of nature’s great wonders. These beautiful birds are so beloved that they have become synonymous with popular bird imagery.

From a spiritual perspective, northern cardinals assure us that color and beauty are everywhere—they symbolize strength and courage in the face of adversity, and the will to press on despite challenges and shortcomings.

They also symbolize passion and love, a symbol of better days to come.

Northern Cardinals take off from the trees

white base meaning

White cardinals produce melanin like common cardinals, but these pigments are not deposited in the feathers. Thus, albino northern cardinals have white or white-spotted plumage rather than red or brown.

In some cases, they are almost all white. However, it is uncommon, affecting about 1 in 1,800 cardinals.

Rare to see a white northern cardinal – a moment to savor! White cardinals have many of the same spiritual meanings as normal colored cardinals, but are much rarer – seeing one is a blessing.

What does a pair of cardinals symbolize?

Northern cardinals are seasonally monogamous and form strong pair bonds during the breeding season. If you see a red male cardinal and a predominantly brown female, they are likely a mating pair.

Paired cardinals symbolize love, passion and devotion. Although pairs of cardinals rarely stay together for the next breeding season, they cooperate throughout the breeding season and usually raise two broods per year.

Males and females share many responsibilities and are fiercely protective of each other and their offspring.

Pair of cardinals symbolize love, passion and devotion