You’re sitting by the window or out in the yard and a red cardinal lands close by. It stays longer than you’d expect and your first thought is of the person you’ve lost.
That sort of thing has happened to so many people. Lots of us believe a cardinal is a visit or a sign from someone who has died. Many more aren’t sure what they believe but still feel comforted when one shows up.
This page explains what a red cardinal is said to mean after a death along with other signs people notice from loved ones. There are also cardinal sayings, a short verse and messages you can write in a card or with a cardinal gift.
If you’re missing someone today our missing someone in heaven quotes might help you put the feeling into words.
What Does It Mean When You See a Red Cardinal?
What most believe is simple: a cardinal is a visitor from heaven, or a sign that someone who has died is near and watching over you.
There’s no single origin for this. It’s a folk belief that has been passed around for a long time and it’s especially popular in the US where cardinals are a backyard bird most people know or have seem. You’ll see it on Christmas ornaments, garden stones, sympathy cards etc.
These are the meanings people most often give to a cardinal sighting:
- A loved one is letting you know they’re okay
- They’re still close by and haven’t really left you
- A reminder to keep going, or that you’re not alone in a hard moment
- A “hello” on a day that matters like a birthday or anniversary
- Comfort and hope, since the bright red stands out even in the darkest part of winter
People usually notice the timing most. A cardinal on the morning of the funeral, at the graveside or on the first Christmas without them can feel like more than chance.
Why Cardinals?
Part of it is just how noticeable they are. Male cardinals are a vivid red and the females are a soft brown with warm red orange touches on the wings, tail and crest.
Cardinals also don’t migrate so they’re here all year round. They’re one of the few spots of bright color in a snowy yard which is probably why they’ve become so linked with Christmas and with remembering people in winter.
You can read more about them on the Cornell Lab’s All About Birds page.
What About a Female Cardinal?
A female cardinal is seen as the same kind of sign. Some people link a female with a mom, grandmother or sister and a male with a dad, grandfather or brother. That’s personal interpretation rather than any rule so go with whatever feels right to you.
What If a Cardinal Keeps Coming Back?
Many people say one cardinal seems to return to the same tree or feeder again and again. Cardinals do generally stay in the same area so you may well be seeing the same bird or pair.
For a lot of people that’s part of the comfort. It becomes a familiar little visitor. Some even give it a name.
A Cardinal at the Window
Cardinals sometimes tap or fly at windows. This usually happens in spring when they see their own reflection and think it’s a rival.
Even knowing that some people still find it feels like a knock from someone they love. There’s nothing wrong with having both thoughts.
Other Signs From Loved Ones
Cardinals aren’t the only sign people talk about. These are some of the others that are well known and what they’re often believed to mean.
Butterflies
A butterfly is one of the oldest symbols of change and new life, going from caterpillar to something with wings. When one lands nearby or seems to follow you many take it as a sign the person is free and at peace.
Feathers
Finding a feather in an unexpected place, especially a white one, is often seen as a sign from an angel or loved one. Some people keep a small jar of the feathers they find.
Robins
In the UK in particular robins are very often linked with loved ones who have died. You’ll see the saying “When robins appear, loved ones are near” on garden plaques and cards.
Dragonflies and Hummingbirds
Both are quick, light and a bit magical to watch. People often feel a dragonfly or hummingbird that hovers near them is a gentle visit, especially in the garden or near water.
Pennies and Dimes
Coins turning up in odd places are sometimes called “pennies from heaven. Dimes are very common in these stories. Some people collect them in a little dish or keep one in their wallet.
Dreams
Dreaming of someone who has died can be upsetting but many people describe dreams where the person seems calm and happy and they wake up feeling comforted. These are sometimes called visitation dreams.
Songs
Their favorite song coming on the radio just as you’re thinking about them. It happens a lot and it can stop you in your tracks.
Smells
A sudden whiff of their perfume, aftershave, cigarette smoke or cooking when nothing nearby could explain it. Some people find this one the most powerful of all.
Rainbows
A rainbow on the day of a funeral or anniversary is often taken as a sign of peace. It’s also strongly tied to losing a pet through the idea of the Rainbow Bridge.
Lights and Electronics
Lights flickering, a radio turning on or a phone lighting up with an old photo of them. People tend to laugh about these ones as much as cry especially if the person who died loved a practical joke or a bit of mischief.
Numbers
Seeing their birthday, a date that meant something or the same numbers over and over like 11:11. For some people numbers feel like a way of being noticed.
Ladybugs
A ladybug landing on you is seen as lucky in a lot of places. After a loss some people take it as a little sign of love and protection.
Are Signs From Loved Ones Real?
Nobody can say for certain and people feel very differently about it. Some believe completely that a loved one can reach out. Others see these moments as the mind noticing what the heart is already full of.
I don’t think you need to settle that question to find comfort in a cardinal. If seeing one makes you stop and think of them with love it doesn’t particularly matter what is behind it.
A few thoughts that might help:
- You don’t need to see signs for your loved one to still be part of your life. Not noticing any doesn’t mean anything is wrong.
- Don’t feel silly for taking comfort in one. It’s a very human thing to do.
- If someone shares a sign with you just listen. You don’t have to agree or explain it away.
- Writing down the signs you notice and when you notice them can be a lovely way to remember. Our grief journaling prompts can help you get started.
- If you find yourself searching for signs constantly or feeling worse when none come it may help to talk to someone you trust or a grief counselor.
Cardinal Sayings and Quotes
These short sayings are shared lots and don’t have a known author. They work well for a card, a garden stone or a social post.
- When cardinals appear, angels are near
- Cardinals appear when loved ones are near
- A cardinal is a visitor from heaven
- When a cardinal visits your yard, it’s a loved one saying hello
- When you see a cardinal, know I’m with you
- A little red bird to remind you you’re never alone
- Look for me in the red bird at your window
- Every cardinal is a little hello from heaven
- Some visits come with feathers
- They sent a cardinal so you’d know they’re okay
- Red bird, red bird, tell them I miss them
- Gone from sight but never far, I see you in the cardinal
- The cardinal came today and I knew it was you
- Heaven sends its love in red
- When robins appear, loved ones are near
A Short Cardinal Verse
This is an original verse you can use in a card, a memorial program or on a keepsake.
********************************
The Red Bird
A flash of red against the snow,
a song outside the kitchen door.
You never really had to go,
you just come visit in red once more.
So when the cardinal comes to stay
and lingers on the garden wall,
I’ll stop and listen, then I’ll say,
“I know it’s you. I hear your call.”
********************************
Messages for a Sympathy Card With a Cardinal
Cardinal sympathy cards are popular and a short message that mentions the bird can feel really personal. But not everyone shares the belief so phrases like “I hope” or “may” leave room for that.
- May every cardinal you see bring you a little comfort and a happy memory of ______
- I hope you see lots of cardinals this winter, and feel ______ close each time
- Sending love and a little red bird to remind you you’re not alone
- When you see a cardinal, I hope you’ll feel ______ saying hello
- Thinking of you and hoping the cardinals bring you peace
- They say cardinals appear when angels are near. I hope one visits you soon
- ______ loved their bird feeder so much. I’ll think of them every time I see a cardinal
- May the cardinals at your window remind you how loved you are and how loved ______ was
- So sorry for your loss. I hope this little cardinal brings a smile on hard days
- With sympathy and a red bird’s wish for peace
- No goodbye is ever really goodbye. I hope the cardinals remind you of that
- Wishing you comfort, and a cardinal or two to brighten the window
If you’d like more wording ideas our sympathy card messages page has lots more for every relationship.
A Longer Note to Go With a Cardinal Gift
Dear ______,
I saw this little cardinal and thought of you straight away.
Some people believe that when a cardinal appears, someone we’ve lost is close by. I don’t know for sure, but I like the thought of ______ stopping by to check on you.
I hope it brings you some comfort when you look at it. And please know I’m here whenever you need me.
With love,
________
******************
Dear ______,
______ always loved watching the birds. I know how much time they spent by that feeder.
So I wanted to send you something to hang there in their memory. I hope every cardinal that visits feels like a little hello.
Thinking of you every day,
________
******************
Ways to Remember a Loved One With Cardinals
If the cardinal has become your person’s bird there are lots of small ways to keep that connection. A few ideas:
- Put up a bird feeder in their memory. Cardinals like sunflower and safflower seed.
- Hang a cardinal ornament on the tree each Christmas
- Get a garden stone or plaque with a cardinal saying
- Wear a small cardinal pin or charm on hard days
- Add a cardinal to their memorial program, prayer cards or headstone design
- Plant shrubs with berries that give birds food and cover
- Frame a photo of a cardinal you saw on a meaningful day
- Keep a “cardinal log” with the dates and places you see one
A cardinal keepsake can also make a nice gift for someone grieving. There are more ideas in our guide to sympathy gift ideas, and our page on how to keep a loved one’s memory alive has other ways to honor them through the year.
What to Say When Someone Tells You About a Sign
When someone tells you a cardinal visited them they’re usually sharing something thats personal to them. They don’t need a debate about it. They need you to be glad with them.
- “That’s beautiful. I’m so glad you saw it.”
- “It sounds like exactly what you needed today.”
- “I love that. ______ always did know how to make an entrance.”
- “What did you feel when you saw it?”
- “I’ll think of them every time I see one now too.”
SEE MORE: Ways to Say Heaven Gained an Angel
Whether you see a cardinal every day or haven’t seen one in months the love you have for that person hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s still right there.
So next time a flash of red catches your eye just stop for a second and think of them. It’s lovely to have a reason to remember those we loved who are no longer with us.