The Meaning of Sparrows: Symbolism and Identification

The Sparrow: Meaning & Significance Throughout History

The sparrow is a familiar little bird that is widespread throughout Britain and Ireland (with the possible exceptions of the upland and northern districts). It is also common throughout the rest of Europe, Asia, Africa and—thanks to imports from settlers—North and South America and Australia.

In recent years, sparrow numbers have been in decline, and it is now less common to see flocks of them feeding or chirping from rooftops, although you should have no trouble spotting the occasional house sparrow, especially in urban parks where people frequently feed them.

There is an incredible amount of folklore and superstition surrounding these friendly little birds, and they are even mentioned in the Bible. In this article, we'll discuss their cultural, religious, mythical, literary and supernatural associations and describe how to identify two common types (the house sparrow and the tree sparrow).

Contents in Order of Appearance

• Sparrows in Legend and Folklore
• Sparrows in Cultural Mythology
• Sparrows in Literature
• Sparrows in Dream Interpretation
• Sparrow Identification

Sparrows in Legend, Superstition and Folklore

Despite being a relatively common bird in both urban and wild areas, sparrows carry a lot of superstitious baggage, both positive and negative. Let's take a look at what people believe sparrow encounters mean in different circumstances.

What Do Sparrows Symbolise?

In modern new-age circles, sparrows are believed to symbolise joy, community, teamwork, protection, simplicity, hard work or self-worth. This hasn't always been the case, however. In Europe's Middle Ages, sparrows were believed to represent peasants and the lower class. In old Celtic tradition, sparrows were thought to be keepers of ancestral knowledge.

What Does It Mean If a Sparrow Flies Into Your House?

In Indonesia, it is believed by some that if a sparrow flies into a house, a member of the household will soon marry or give birth. In China, some say that a sparrow flying into a house indicates that good luck is on the way in a more general sense.

What Does It Mean If a Sparrow Flies Into Your Window?

According to some older superstitions, if a sparrow flies into your closed window and dies, it could signify the death of someone you know. Most modern-day spiritualists and new-age enthusiasts, however, think that a sparrow hitting a window may have a less morbid and more general meaning.

Many say that such an occurrence may herald an upcoming ending—whether of a relationship, a friendship, a job, a life or something else entirely.

Are Sparrows Good Luck?

In many cultures, sparrows are seen as good luck. In Chinese culture, the sparrow is an auspicious symbol of happiness and the coming of spring, while in Indonesian lore, sparrows signify birth, marriage, rain and other good tidings.

Are Sparrows Bad Omens?

According to the Audobon Society, a common superstition states that sparrows carry the souls of the dead, and as such, it is bad luck to kill them.

This superstition closely resembles the ancient Egyptian view of sparrows and that of traditional sailors, some of whom would get sparrow tattoos in hopes that the birds would catch and carry their souls should they die at sea. Modern authors have also shared systems for interpreting sparrows and other birds as omens.

What Does It Mean to See a Dead Sparrow?

According to certain new-age authors, an encounter with a dead sparrow could indicate a loss of freedom or innocence. According to others, however, finding a deceased bird may symbolise a new beginning, much like the "death" card in the tarot system.

What Is the Meaning of a Sparrow Tattoo?

Like most tattoos, sparrow tattoos can have a variety of meanings (or none at all). As mentioned above, many sailors would get traditional sparrow tattoos in hopes that their souls might be taken to heaven if they died at sea. In a similar vein, many people choose to get sparrow tattoos to memorialize the souls of loved ones who have passed away.

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Alternatively, sparrow tattoos can represent joy, freedom and inhibition. A popular example of this meaning is Jack Sparrow's sparrow tattoo in the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise. In addition to being a tribute to the infamous pirate's last name, Jack's tattoo also points to the counterculture of freedom, expression and self-determination prized by those who choose to live outside the bounds of structured society.

Others choose sparrow tattoos as representations of adaptability, productivity or efficiency. Sparrows are adept and resilient builders that can survive and thrive in both wild and urban settings. They learn by observing and use their observations to inform their actions.

Whether sneaking into a big-box store via the motion-activated doors, swooping under a just-vacated table at a cafe for crumbs or building an urban nest out of cigarette butts and other detritus, sparrows know how to do what they can with what they have.

Fun Fact

The sparrow has an extra bone in its tongue to help it eat seeds.

Sparrows in Culture and Mythology

The sparrow has been the object of countless cultural, spiritual and mythological associations across geography and time. In this section, we'll examine the symbolic significance of the sparrow from a diverse variety of perspectives.

Greek Mythology

In ancient Greek mythology, sparrows were considered a symbol of love. The sparrow was the sacred bird of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and symbolised true love and spiritual connection—not just lust (contrary to this, sparrows are often regarded as one of the most lustful and sexually active birds in the wild). In Troy, nine sparrows were eaten by a snake, and this foretold nine years of war.

European Folklore

In European folklore of old, sparrows were considered death omens. A sparrow flying into one's home was seen as a sign of impending death. One variation of this superstition from Kent, England, stated that a person who catches a sparrow must kill it or else their parents would die.

Another variation stated that the catcher must kill the bird or else they themself would die. Luckily, sparrows rarely fly into people's homes, and most people no longer feel the need to kill them if they do.