Cal State East Bay philosophy professor explores the cross-cultural connection between birds and the spirits of the dead
- October 13, 2014
Dr. Christopher Moreman, associate professor and chair of the Philosophy Department at Cal State East Bay, has published a paper - "On the Relationship between Birds and the Spirits of the Dead" - in the journal Society & Animals, vol. 22, iss. 5 (2014, pgs. 481-502).
The article examines "cross-cultural evidence for the practically universal associations between birds and both life and death, offering an explanation for this association as an expression of deep-seated human ambivalence to mortality." Moreman posits that "birds are a form of Jungian archetype, reflecting a fundamental aspect of human nature - the denial of death as finality through a desire for renewal, transformation, and rebirth."
In many cultures, Moreman says, including here in America in such places as Appalachia and some southern states, birds are often seen as "omens of death," portending tragedy merely by landing on a house. Blackbirds, such as crows and ravens, in particular, are often singled out because their color is associated with evil and death. So, too, are nocturnal birds whose cries are said to signal impending death.
Birds can also be seen as "bearers of divine wisdom" thought to have the gift of prophecy and insight. They are also often connected to gods. Some Greek gods are associated with the eagle, and the Plains Indians and Southwestern Hopi and Pueblo claim that the eagle is related to the Great Spirit. In Tibetan folklore, birds are considered divine messengers and are divided into "castes," with ravens, crows, vultures and other birds of prey serving as emissaries for darker forces, including death. On the other end of the spectrum, the dove is associated with the Christian Holy Spirit.
Moreman says that birds are also sometimes described as "stealing or transporting the souls of the dead," acting as "psychopomps" to take the soul to either heaven or hell. Virtually every culture - Roman, Hawaiian, Native American, Jewish, Chinese, to name a few - has some form of myth where birds arrive to carry off the dead or, in some cases, to bring new life. Storks, for example, are not only considered carriers of souls to heaven but also deliverers of babies.
To learn more about birds and their relation to the spirits of the dead, you can read an off-print of Dr. Moreman’s paper at (search for the keyword "Moreman"). You can also contact him directly at christopher.moreman@csueastbay.edu.