Red Cardinal –
“When Cardinals appear, Angels are near.”
The cardinal, also known as the redbird, are passerine birds (perching birds or songbirds), commonly found in North and South America. As one of the most common state birds, the red cardinal is the official state bird of
Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia, Especially common in the Southeast. Passerine birds are distinguished from the arrangement of their toes which facilitates perching (three pointing forward and one pointing back).
It is well known for its vibrant red cloak and black mask representing the fire and vitality of the living spirit. In some cultures, it is believed to be symbolic of the blood of Jesus Christ reminding us of God’s love for us and the sacrifice of Jesus giving us restoration, hope and never-ending life.
Many cultures also believe that cardinals are a sign of the presence of a loved one who has passed. They are believed to be the messengers of spirits carrying messages back and forth between Earth and Spirit. (Phipps, 2020)
“A Cardinal is representative of a loved one who has passed. When you see one, it means they are visiting you. They usually show up during times when you need them or miss them. They also make an appearance during times of celebration as well as despair to let you know they will always be with you.” (Rex, 2015)
Cardinals live an average of 15 years and grow 8 to 9 inches weighing 1.5 to 1.8 ounces. Cardinals will mate for life and remain in their immediate areas protecting their turf. They will eat insects, seeds, grain, fruit, and sap. They seem to favor sunflower seeds. The males are bright red with black mask and orange beak, while females are more of a darker red or brown.
The next time you see a red cardinal ask yourself, who were thinking about and missing at that time? Maybe they are there to tell you they are fine. Maybe they are there just to check in on you.
How are you feeling when you see a red cardinal? Maybe they are there to remind you of God’s love and to encourage you to keep your faith in God. Maybe that is God’s way of speaking to you.
“Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.” – Psalm 55:22
Special thanks to my daughter Stephanie for helping me write this blog post. I have to say she gained her maw-maws talent for writing.
Works Cited
Montgomery, S. (2019, March 8). Encyclopedia Britanica. Retrieved from Cardinal: https://www.britannica.com/animal/cardinal-bird
National Geographic. (n.d.). Retrieved from Cardinal: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/c/cardinal/
Phipps, B. (2020, January 11). Red Cardinal Biblical Meaning – The Cardinal Symbols of Faith. Retrieved from Information Blog: https://www.redargentina.com/red-cardinal-biblical-meaning/
Rex, D. (2015, April 17). The red birds have special meaning. Retrieved from It Is What It Is: https://hrexach.wordpress.com/2015/04/17/the-red-birds-have-a-special-meaning-cardinals/
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from Cardinal .