What Does a Bluebird Symbolize?
A bluebird symbolizes happiness, according to eJyoti. Cultures around the world widely accept the bluebird as a symbol of cheerfulness, prosperity, wellness and new births. Since bluebirds can produce between two and four broods during the warmer months, they are associated with springtime and renewal. A dead bluebird is a symbol of disillusionment, loss of innocence and the transforming effects of age.
Over the years, songwriters have adopted the bluebird as a symbol of happiness, reinforcing the symbolism. Examples include “Bluebird of Happiness,” “Over the Rainbow,” “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows,” and “The White Cliffs of Dover,” which all feature lyrics that reference the bluebird in the context of rebirth or hope. The British rock band The Moody Blues portrays the bluebird as a muse in the song, “Voices In The Sky.”
The bluebird is a member of the thrush family and related to the American robin. There are three different species of bluebirds in the world: the Eastern bluebird, mountain bluebird and western bluebird. All three species display the color blue on their backs. While bluebirds are specific to the genus Salia, they are sometimes mistaken for blue jays or other bird species with blue markings. Bluebirds are territorial and prefer open grassland with scattered trees and shrubs, much like woodpeckers.
