Have you ever had the unfortunate experience of hitting a bird while driving? If so, you may have wondered if this incident carries any symbolic meaning or superstitions. From ancient times, many cultures believed that encounters with birds, whether in the form of hitting them or seeing them in unusual circumstances, held special significance. In this article, we will explore some of the popular superstitions associated with hitting birds while driving and their interpretations.
Popular Superstitions Associated with Hitting Birds
When you accidentally kill a bird, does it mean you’ll have bad luck for years? Superstitions are usually bizarre, and the answer is no–it doesn’t mean you’re doomed to misfortune. If superstitions were always true, there wouldn’t be any cars left on the road!
Here are a few superstitious explanations for what you might expect when you hit birds.
Birds are messengers of death
If you hit a blackbird, particularly crows and ravens, in your travels, the ancient people believed that it was a harbinger of death. If you see one fly across your car or around your house, it may mean that you should prepare for the worst.
This superstition is so pervasive that it has an entire genre of literature named after it. The idea of a raven or crow being an omen is evident in Edgar Allen Poe’s poem about a raven who cruelly repeats the one-word answer to the narrator’s question about seeing his lost love Lenore in the afterlife: nevermore.
It may signal the end of something important
Perhaps this superstition didn’t start as a result of hitting birds, but if you see or kill a bird under unusual circumstances, it may signal the end of something important in your life.
It can mean that something is dying in your life–-a relationship, your job or something else that you consider important to your person.
They could be messages from heaven
In some cultures, birds are seen as messengers from God (or the gods) to humans. If you come into contact with them in an unexpected way, they may send a message that means something to your life.
For example, seeing a red cardinal is often seen as a sign that someone who has passed on wants to communicate with you. This is why many people put out bird feeders for cardinals as a way to ask their loved ones to stop by and say hi.
Birds as Messengers in Different Cultures
There are many different superstitions and beliefs about birds and the messages they carry. I’ll dive into a few Western and Eastern examples.
Western Cultures
In Western cultures, many believe that the death of a loved one is a message from a bird. It’s less about the bird’s actions and more about the bird itself. Many people believe that loved ones who have passed on return to us in the form of birds.
There are also some superstitions that say that birds can convey your wish to heaven. For example, if you see a shooting star, you can made a wish or say a prayer, and it will be heard in heaven. Many people believe in similar wishes for birds as well. Birds are seen as messengers who can take your wish to heaven.
Eastern Cultures
Birds are very important in Eastern cultures, and are even thought to bring good luck when they pass overhead. In India, it is said that bird droppings landing on you are a sign of good luck. While we might think of bird poop as gross or messy, it is considered good luck if it lands on you.
Feng Shui is the practice of arranging the pieces in your living spaces so that they interact harmoniously with nature. Birds are a symbol of new opportunities and love luck in Feng Shui. According to this belief system, if you hang an image of two cranes in your home, it will bring luck to your relationships.
Conclusion
Many of us have grown up with odd superstitions about birds or other strange beliefs. While acting on these superstitions can be seen as silly, it often comes from a place of wanting to be safe or lucky.
When you think about bird superstitions, there are many things that can signify something good or bad. If a bird flies into your house or circles around you three times, it’s bad luck. But if a bird builds its nest near your home, it’s good luck.
Next time you stop at an odd superstition and wonder why it exists, take a moment to consider what purpose it might serve.
Bird-Related Omens and Signs
In this section, let’s discuss some unusual bird superstitions that may indicate something important. Here are a few of the most common ones:
Birds entering your house
You may have heard that seeing a bird flying into your house is a sign of bad luck. In Christianity, a bird entering your home symbolizes the Holy Spirit. If it happens, it means that in the form of the bird, God is trying to enter your home. So, there’s nothing to fear.
The symbolism of a single crow
“I see a single crow, say hello” is a common saying you may have heard. But what does it mean? Crows are usually associated with bad luck and misfortune. However, seeing just one means that they will guide you through all life’s difficulties. So while most people are afraid of seeing crows, for some individuals, they’re a source of positivity.
If a crow caws thrice…
In many cultures, cawing is synonymous with bad luck. But did you know that the number of caws also holds significance? According to an old Irish superstition, if you hear a crow caw thrice, expect some good news in the coming future.
Birds tapping on your window
Seeing birds tapping on your window often evokes an eerie feeling. However, they’re not here to bring bad luck. In fact, many cultures believe that this is actually a sign of impending change. There is even a widespread belief that if it happens on New Year’s Eve or Day, you’ll have good luck for the rest of the year.
The Symbolic Meaning of Bird Species
From a spiritual standpoint, birds are considered messengers—mediators between the spirit world and our material realm. Each type of bird has its own symbolic meanings and interpretations.
Birds that represent good luck include the following.
Cardinal
The cardinal is a reminder that our loved ones who have passed away are still with us. When you see one, it means that someone you lost is looking out for you.
Dove
The dove symbolizes peace, hope and a new beginning. Associated with the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, doves are believed to present a message from the universe that good things lie ahead. In Christianity, white doves are symbolic of the holy spirit and signify new beginnings.
Sparrow
A symbol of protection and productivity, sparrows represent safety and security in almost every culture in the world. In Christianity, the sparrow symbolizes God’s protection from earthly dangers and problems.
On the other hand, some birds have negative connotations. These include:
Crow
In literature, crows are often depicted as bad omens. For instance, when a flock of crows fly over a community or neighborhood before sunrise, it’s believed that there might be an outbreak of an illness among people who live there.
In popular culture, crows are depicted as death messengers used by witches or even death itself. They’re also said to represent transformation and change because of their black feathers.
Owl
The owl is often associated with wisdom yet in some cultures like Greece and Rome it’s considered the bird of bad luck. This probably has to do with its nocturnal habits and haunting hoots. In most Native American tribes, owls are considered protectors and their hoots are believed to foretell death as well as bad weather. The Navajo people see them as harbingers of sickness too.
Magpie
In European superstitions, magpies bring bad luck if you see them singly but bring good luck if you see them in pairs. The most common sign would be “one for sorrow, two for joy, three for a girl and four for a boy.”
Ways to Attract Good Luck and Ward off Bad Luck After Hitting a Bird
Many countries and cultures believe in the power of good luck charms and rituals. They have the intention of not only attracting good luck, but also steering clear of bad luck. Here are some common beliefs and superstitions.
Good Luck Charms
One person’s bird-striking curse may be another person’s good fortune. The following charms are said to bring good luck to those who possess them:
- Gold coins
- Horseshoes
- Rabbit’s foot keychains
- Four-leaf clovers
- Dream catchers
- Moonstones
- Ankhs (symbol of life and immortality)
- White sage
- Cat’s eyes
- Elephants with their trunks up, which represent strength, power, honor and stability
Avoid Unlucky Situations
Sometimes bird strikes can’t be helped. However, there are other situations you can avoid in order to ward off bad luck.
In China, it’s considered bad luck for a woman to walk up stairs by herself. This is specifically true for the first month of a Chinese new year. The belief is that it will put her in a position to be alone and unlucky.
Jewish people don’t care for the number 13, as it has become synonymous with bad luck. Superstitious individuals tend to skip the 13th floor when they’re on an elevator. Instead, elevators will jump from floor No 12 to No 14. This is also true on some city streets, as you might notice that nearby street addresses skip from No 12 to No 14.
Dream Interpretation
If you have a dream about birds or flying, there could be a hidden meaning behind it. Seeing soaring birds in your dream might indicate feelings of freedom; you feel untethered and capable of moving through life at your own pace. You’re free of troubles or worries and able to fly above them.
On the negative side, dreaming about birds might signify that you’re feeling powerless or constricted in some way. Watch what color the bird is in your dream. For example, a black crow or raven suggests that there’s danger lurking ahead. However, seeing a white bird indicates freedom and purity.
Scientific Explanations for Bird Collisions
Believing that a little bird in the window could cause harm doesn’t make much sense. So let’s dive into some of the more scientific reasons for why birds fly into windows.
Reflections Make Windows Hard to See
In the wild, birds don’t see much glass. So when it does come up, they don’t understand it and think they can fly right through it. They’re focusing on where they want to go and don’t see anything in the window.
Not that glass is entirely invisible to birds. In fact, a bird will most likely avoid a clear window. The problem arises when a window reflects the sky, trees or some other part of the outside world. The reflection captures their attention and they think they can fly to it.
Birds See Light Differently
Birds have a different type of vision than humans. They can see ultraviolet light, which means patterns in glass are visible to them but not to us. A bird can become confused by these patterns and think they can fly right through the glass.
Windows are Clear with No Obstacles
Birds don’t really have windows in the wild, but they do have tree branches. If they were flying through the woods and saw a branch in front of them, they would simply fly around it. They don’t see this same barrier with a clear window.
Birds Can’t Get Traction on Glass Windows
The scientific explanation for why birds die is that they don’t have time to stop before hitting a window. Birds also have difficulty getting traction on glass, which is another reason why they often fly at such force into windows.
The number of birds that die from colliding with windows every year has impacted their population size. This has caused researchers to study ways to reduce bird strikes. Some of these studies have even influenced how architects and builders design windows in new homes.
How to Prevent Bird Collisions
So how do you prevent hitting a bird while driving? There are a few factors that can make your car a less likely target.
Make Sure Your Car Is Clean
Waxing your car can make it slicker and smoother, making it more difficult for birds to latch onto. Parking in a garage or using a car cover can also prevent birds from getting too close to your vehicle.
Get Rid of Reflections
Birds may mistake their reflections for other birds, causing them to attack your vehicle. To fix this, place decals or stickers on your windows to break up the reflection.
Watch for Flocks During Migration Season
When birds are migrating, they’re on a tight schedule and don’t have much time to react to traffic. When driving through an area where migrating birds are present, try not to speed and be extra cautious.
Drive Cautiously at Dawn and Dusk
This is when most bird strikes occur, so be extra vigilant during these times. You can also reduce your chances of hitting a bird by slowing down and switching to your brights. You’re more likely to hit a bird at slower speeds, so avoid swerving unless it’s safe to do so.
Avoid Feeding Wildlife Close to Roads
If you’re feeding birds, avoid doing it near roadways. Birds will flock to food sources, making them more likely targets for collisions.
Keep an Eye on the Road
If you see a bird flying near the road, watch it closely. It may change altitude or direction quickly, which you need to be prepared for. Remember that the safety of yourself and others is more important than preventing damage to wildlife; even if braking increases the chance of colliding with the bird, it’s better than letting an accident happen.
Be Aware of Wildlife Warnings
If you see animal crossing signs or wildlife warnings on the side of the road, slow down and keep an eye out for animals. This is especially true during dawn and dusk hours—migrating birds can be mistaken for other animals on these signs.
Promoting Wildlife Conservation and Coexistence
Even though driving birds away might make you feel superstitious, you must remember that some things are beyond your control. The same philosophy should be applied when we observe wildlife in their natural habitat.
Now more than ever, widespread wildlife extinction is a grave issue that is threatening the existence of our beloved animals. 2050 is a long way off, but according to the World Wildlife Fund, a decline of 68% in population sizes for mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish has been observed between 1970 and 2016. During these exceptional times, it is critical for people to remember the importance of fostering coexistence with nature and maintaining sustainability.
But how? You might ask. You might be unable to reverse the damage to our natural resources overnight, but you can make small adjustments that will help make a difference.
Opt for Energy Efficient Resources
Instead of settling for business-as-usual procedures in your daily activities, choose energy-efficient appliances and environmentally-friendly products. Good for you, the animals and our planet!
Be Mindful of Wildlife Traveling Patterns
You wouldn’t want someone to barge into your home unannounced, so don’t do it to wildlife! If you encounter animals while walking or driving, give them space.
Did you know that the American bison almost went extinct because of a lack of consideration from humans? After hunting bison for their valuable fur and having them compete with livestock for food during the late 1800s, only 1,000 were left in the wild. These days, the American bison is no longer considered as an endangered species after extreme conservation efforts have been made. In order to help other animals thrive again, it is vital to respect their homes and avoid entering designated areas during their breeding seasons.
Refuse Single Use Plastics
One of the simplest yet most impactful steps that you can take is ditching single-use plastics. Do your part in reducing plastic waste by saying no to single-use straws, bags and bottles.
Sprinkle Some Compassion
Treat others the way you want to be treated- even if those you’re interacting with are non-human! Be mindful of environmental triggers such as loud music or aggressive behavior that can startle wildlife. If your pets are outside with you? Keep them on a leash so they don’t chase or injure the fauna around you. While enjoying nature is great for physical and mental health, always take care not to disturb the peace within it.
In conclusion, hitting a bird while driving does not necessarily come with bad luck or ominous meanings. While there are various superstitions associated with such incidents, they are largely rooted in ancient beliefs and cultural interpretations. Ultimately, whether you believe in these superstitions or not is a personal choice. The most important thing is to practice safe driving and be mindful of your surroundings to avoid any harm to yourself or the wildlife. So next time you encounter a feathered friend on your way, take a moment to appreciate their beauty and continue your journey with a little more knowledge about the superstitions that surround these encounters.
