There are 15 species of cranes and they live on every continent except South America and Antarctica. As a result, these elegant birds appear in the mythology and folklore of many cultures around the world.
In this article we will discuss in depth the spiritual significance of the crane, its appearance in mythology and its meaning in dreams
do you feel a special connection with this animal? Keep reading this article and discover all the symbolism behind this beautiful bird.
Spiritual meaning of the crane
All over the world, artists, writers, photographers and others have been captivated by the beauty and grace of cranes. With their long, graceful necks and legs and gorgeous plumage, cranes make us believe that nature is divinely inspired and created.
As a symbol of grace, the crane inspires us to pause and reflect. It is as if they are here to remind us to honor the beauty that surrounds us and is within ourselves.
Like the cardinals, the eagles , the crows and other bird species, cranes are very devoted to their mates. In fact, they are monogamous and mate for life.
Perhaps one of the keys to their enduring love is that cranes never stop courting their mates. In fact, they are well known for their elaborate courtship displays, which include dances, neck songs and calls during the mating season.
A pair of cranes works together to build a nest. Both the male and female share responsibility for incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks.
As a symbol of devotion and fidelity, the crane reminds us to never take our mate for granted. Often, our romantic life can take a back seat to the responsibilities and pressures of life. The crane reminds us that without romanticism and devotion to our partner, all of these responsibilities can become meaningless.
Some crane species travel thousands of miles during their migrations, enduring a range of difficult conditions. For example, the damselfly crane reaches altitudes of 7,315 meters when flying over the Hindu Kushwest of the Himalayas, in central and southern Asia.
Because of the distances they fly, cranes are also symbols of travel and even of undertaking dangerous journeys. The crane reminds us that when nothing is risked, nothing is gained.
The spirit of the crane is here to remind you that experiences are what make life.
The crane’s willingness to undertake challenging migrations to great heights, coupled with their remarkable legs and long necks, is why they are also symbols of aspiration. Like graceful jasmine or clematis vines that climb and climb, the crane seems to reach for the stars. In fact, the crane is the tallest flying bird, with species such as the sarus crane standing over 2 meters tall. Thus, the crane is also a symbol of aspiration.
Many crane species are shorebirds that nest in wetlands and marshes. As they are born near water and then mature to fly great distances at high altitude, the crane is also a symbol of transformation.
Like a lotus flower that sprouts in the mud and grows through the water to rise above the surface, the crane shows us that no matter where we start in life, we all have the potential to transform. If we focus on what we want to be, whether it is our physical, mental or emotional state, or even our spiritual self, we can work to realize that vision.
Perhaps the best known characteristic of the crane is longevity. The crane is a very long-lived bird and depending on the species can live up to 50-60 years as is the case of the Manchurian crane or Japanese crane, which is called the“immortal crane” because of its longevity.
The Crane in Mythology
China
Cranes are an important symbol of Chinese mythology. In Chinese mythology, cranes are often symbolically related to the idea of longevity. In China, crane mythology is associated with the cult of the divine bird in animal totemism; cranes have a spiritual significance in that they are a form of divine bird that travels between heaven and the world of men. Cranes appear regularly in Chinese arts, such as paintings, tapestries and decorative arts; they are also often depicted carrying the souls of the deceased to heaven. The crane is the second most important bird in China after the fenghuang, symbol of the empress.
Crane motifs can vary in a range from reference to royal cranes (such as the red-crowned crane) to reference to transformed Taoist immortals, who were sometimes said to have magical abilities to transform into cranes in order to fly on various journeys. When a Taoist priest dies, one speaks of yuhua “becoming a feathered crane”.
Japan
In Japan, the crane is considered a national treasure. The Japanese call it the“bird of happiness“. This large and majestic bird is a strong and graceful creature that was believed to live for a thousand years. Cranes were also believed to have the ability to grant wishes and answer prayers.
Their tall stature and powerful flight make them the perfect symbol of power and strength, and they represent good fortune and longevity. Cranes are also monogamous creatures, with enduring bonds that make them a symbol of loyalty and permanence.
Tsuru no Ongaeshi (“The Return of the Crane’s Favor”) is a Japanese folklore story about a crane returning a favor to a man. A variant of the story in which a man marries the crane that returns the favor is known as Tsuru Nyōbō “Crane Wife”.
This is the story of the crane’s favor
A man saves a crane that had been shot by hunters. That night, a beautiful girl appears at the man’s door and tells him that she is his wife. The man tells her that he is not rich enough to support them, but she tells him that she has a sack of rice that will fill their stomachs. Every day, the rice never comes down from the sack and always stays full.
The next day, she tells the man that she is going into a room to do something and not to come in until she is finished. Seven days have passed and she finally comes out with a beautiful garment, but she is very skinny. She tells the man to go to the market the next morning and sell it for a very high price. He comes home and tells her that he has sold it for a very good price. Now they are rich. The woman returns to the room and tells him not to come in until she has finished. Curiosity gets the man and he peeks in, realizing that the woman is the crane he saved. When the crane sees that the man has discovered her true identity, she says she can’t stay there any longer and flies away, never to return.
In“The Crane Wife,” a man marries a woman who is actually a crane disguised as a human being. To earn money, the crane wife plucks her own feathers to weave silk brocades that the man sells, but in doing so she becomes increasingly ill.
When the man discovers his wife’s true identity and the nature of her illness, devastated by the truth, he demands that she stop. She replies that she has been doing it out of love, for them. The man says that love exists without sacrifice, but he is wrong. Whoever lives without sacrifices for another person does not deserve to be with a crane.
The 1000 origami cranes
The crane is a mystical or sacred creature (others are the dragon and the turtle) in Japan and is said to live a thousand years. For this reason, a thousand origami cranes senbazuru; literally“a thousand cranes“) are made, one for each year. In some stories, it is believed that the cranes must be completed within a year and all must be made by the person (or group of people) who will make the wish at the end
In Japan, cranes are considered a symbol of long life. An old set phrase says “cranes live a thousand years”. Here “thousand” is not necessary to designate the exact number, but a poetic expression of enormous quantities. Historically, well-wishers offered an image of a crane to shrines and temples, as well as paper cranes. Origami, specially made and patterned paper, was invented in the Edo period, and in the late 17th century books were published that spoke not only of “paper cranes,” but also of “a thousand cranes.”
Today, cranes are often given as a gift to a seriously ill person, to wish for his or her recovery. They are usually created by friends, classmates or colleagues in a collective effort, offered to a shrine on behalf of the person or directly gifted to them. Another common use is for sports teams or athletes, wishing them victories.
Cranes are also a symbol of peace, and thus are often seen on war memorials, along with their original meaning of wishing good health.
Several temples, including some in Tokyo and Hiroshima, have eternal flames for world peace. At these temples, school groups or individuals often donate senbazuru to add to the peace prayer. The cranes are left out in the open, slowly tattered and dissolve as, symbolically, the wish is released. In this way, they relate to the prayer flags of India and Tibet.
The crane in Buddhism
The sarus crane is revered in Lumbini and other parts of the world for more than its grace and elegant appearance. A legend also tells the story of an important link with Buddha.
According to legend, one morning the young Prince Siddhartha, many years before he became Buddha, was sitting in the garden of his father’s palace. Suddenly, a wounded sarus crane fell from the sky at his feet. It had been hit by an arrow.
Siddhartha, taking pity on the animal, took it to the palace and removed the arrow. He dressed the wound and began to care for it with true love.
A few days later, Prince Siddhartha’s cousin, Devadatta, arrived at the palace and claimed that the sarus crane was his because it was he who had shot it. Siddhartha refused to hand it over and they quarreled over the bird.
To settle the dispute, the boys took the case to the king’s court. After hearing both sides, the king’s court decided that Siddhartha, not Devadatta, could keep the bird. It belonged to the boy who had saved his life, not the one who had tried to kill him.
This story about the young prince Siddhartha and the sarus crane is one of the reasons why the bird has always held deep significance for Buddhists and others. But even without the legend, the sarus crane is clearly a special animal.
But this bird is not only revered in Nepal. In Vietnam, it is believed that seeing a crane before a trip or starting work is auspicious and a sign of good luck, while killing one or eating its eggs will bring bad luck in life.
And in Myanmar, where there are an estimated 500 sarus cranes, most live around the Ayeyarwaddy, where they are protected by a religious belief.
What does it mean to dream of a crane?
What does it mean to dream of a crane or a flock of cranes? Dreams and their interpretations are very personal, so there is never a one-size-fits-all answer. However, delving into the emotions you felt in the dream and your feelings upon waking can shed light on the meaning of the dream.
Analyzing the emotions you felt in your dream and how you perceive the cranes can help you understand what your dream is telling you. For example, birds are often associated with angels. Thus, dreaming of a bird, such as a crane, may be a sign that you have connected with one of your angels, a loved one who has passed away, or a spirit guide.
Dreams with cranes can be positive or negative, depending on what is happening in your life at the time. Therefore, it is critical to pay attention to the details of your crane dream to determine its meaning.
If the crane in your dream is white, it symbolizes purity and new beginnings. It could be a sign that you are about to start a new chapter in your life. The meaning of dreaming of a white crane can also symbolize hope and healing.
If you see a wounded crane in your dream, it means that you are going through a difficult time. The white crane may also represent your spiritual side and connection to the divine. If the white crane in your dream is flying, you are about to experience a period of growth and expansion in life.
If you see a crane flying in your dream, it means that you are making progress in your life and moving towards your goals. It is a good sign that you are on the right track. When you see a white crane flying, it symbolizes purity, peace and good luck. If the crane in your dream is black, it represents bad luck or danger.
A crane flying in your dream can also symbolize freedom and your ability to rise above your current problems. You have the power to overcome any obstacle that stands in your way. It also helps you remember your goals and focus on what is important in your life.
If you see a baby crane in your dream, it means that something new is about to enter your life. It could be a new relationship, a baby, a job or anything else new and exciting. It also symbolizes innocence and purity. When you dream of a baby crane, pay attention to your feelings and emotions. This will provide you with clues as to what area of your life the new addition will affect.
If in your dream you see a dead crane, something bad is about to happen. It could be an illness, financial problems, or some other type of bad news.
Seeing a dead crane can also be a warning to be wary of someone you can’t trust. It may represent the feeling of being burdened by someone or something. When you see this type of dream, it is best to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best. Always be on the lookout for danger and be prepared to face it when it comes.
What is the symbolism of the Crane for you?
If your favorite animal is the crane and you know other spiritual meanings related to this beautiful bird leave us a comment and tell us your experience. Have you dreamed of a crane or have you had any significant experience with one of these animals? Do not hesitate to share it with us.
