Caladrius Spirit Animal, Totem, Symbolism and Meaning

Caladrius is a bird that appears in medieval bestiaries and Roman mythology. It is entirely white with no black markings. The bird has healing abilities because it has the ability to remove illness from a person’s body. According to legend, the Caladrius gazes into the eyes of a sick person and absorbs the sickness. Then it takes off in the direction of the sun, where its rays will burn away the ailment, liberating the bird from the disease it bears.

While practicing Ornithomancy, an old form of divination with birds, people would observe Caladrius’ behavior. The Caladrius is said to forecast a person’s death by letting out a regretful cry and looking away from someone unwell rather than keeping its sight.

Doves, swans, herons, seagulls, and white plovers are among the real-world sources cited by writers as inspiration for the mythic bird. According to some writers, the bird eats food that digs up from the ground, rendering it “unclean” to eat. Caladrius here refers to keeping the body free of pollutants. According to some writers, the mythological bird’s marrow may cure blindness; therefore, the bird represents seeing and not being blind to what is happening around you.

Plutarch also mentions the bird’s “unclean” nature in the Symposion in 80 C.E. while also mentioning its potential to treat jaundice. The bird’s depiction as filthy connects it to the terrestrial realm and element. Other writers describe the bird’s capacity to heal those who have jaundice; Aelian states in De Natura Animalium that Caladrius has a glare when staring into the eyes of a person who has jaundice, yet the bird nevertheless heals the person. Anger and irritability are symptoms that Chinese medicine practitioners attribute to a liver ailment. Caladrius indicates that it is time to let go of anger before it poisons the mind and body.

Suidas states in the Lexicon from the 12th century that people attempting to sell the Caladrius do not let buyers see the bird before paying for it. The bird was hidden because the seller was afraid the creature would gaze into the buyer’s eyes and cure them of any ailment before the sale was completed. This former tradition gave rise to the phrase “Imitating the Caladrius,” which refers to someone who is truthful and has nothing to hide. The Caladrius takes on the role of revealer of all secrets and a symbol of honesty and truth-telling.

According to legend, the Caladrius places its beak in the afflicted mouth and removes the ailment by sucking the person’s breath. When the bird has taken on the disease, it flies to the sun for healing. Caladrius is linked to the air and fire elements in this version.

Caladrius Spirit Animal

Caladrius appears as your spirit animal to assist you in gaining a “bird’s-eye view” of your life or circumstance. Are you oblivious to the big picture? Are you oblivious to the obvious? Caladrius’ medicine will strengthen your determination, allowing you to overcome current obstacles.
If a Caladrius appears in your life, it is urging you to question your reasons. Caladrius teaches, “It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest,” which means that dishonoring your friends, family, or yourself is a tremendous disservice to yourself. The powerful influence of the bird encourages you to do the right thing for everyone.
Caladrius may appear as your spirit animal if you are dissatisfied with someone, pushing you to use your “steely stare” to convey your discontent. Negative feelings will not fester if you do so. The creature assists you in resolving conflicts, ensuring the relationship’s longevity.

Caladrius Totem Animal

With the Caladrius as your totem animal, you have a beautiful heart and seek to keep your mind and body clean as well. You prefer an organic diet to junk foods and appreciate being physically fit. Because you’re honest, it is easy for you to create and stay friends.

You are the humanitarian type with a true philanthropic nature if Caladrius is your totem. You appreciate assisting others, which is why you frequently volunteer or mentor others. You should pursue a vocation that includes advising people or practicing healing skills.

You try to spend as much time in the sun as possible because it energizes and heals you. You can be drawn to the fire element and everything it entails, such as transformation, purification, and freedom of movement. When something attracts you, you’re the type of person who devotes his or her entire life to chasing it. If you are in a relationship, you do the same thing by putting in every effort to form a strong bond.

Caladrius Power Animal

When you need a boost of confidence, call on Caladrius as your power animal. You can’t let others see you lack confidence in your abilities if you’re in a leadership position or if others rely on you to keep chaos at bay. Caladrius demonstrates how to lock into a person’s gaze so you can stare them in the eyes without showing any uncertainty when you’re worried about shaky certainty.

Petition Caladrius as a power animal if you want to “kill two birds with one stone” since you have a lot of multitasking to perform. Caladrius eliminates disease and transports it to the sun, curing both itself and the person it assists—this action makes it the ideal animal ally when you have numerous irons in the fire to deal with.

Native American Caladrius Symbolic Meanings

Native American traditions place a high value on pure white birds. The dove is revered to the Blackfoot warriors who carry a talisman to secure their protection in combat. The dove is associated with the spirit realm in the Eastern Algonquin Tribes. The Natives utilize it to predict a person’s life or death. The dove is devoted to the Goddess Xochiquetzal, a feminine aspect of the feminine divine who governs sexual power, beauty, and fertility among Aztecs and Mexican Indians. It is also a love and peace sign. A dove clan existed among the Abenaki. Meanwhile, the Iroquois and Menominee created heron clans because they thought the bird was a good luck emblem.

Christian Caladrius Symbolic Meanings

Caladrius’ white coloration is associated with purity in the Christian tradition. Its color links the bird’s symbol to Christ and the salvation he offers humanity. Because the bird has no black marks, it depicts a soul free of sin’s black scars. Caladrius also represents Christ’s turning away from those who refuse to repent while returning wholeness to those who do.

The bird lives in a King’s house; this could be due to the high cost of possessing such a creature when they were widespread, but it could also be due to the Christian overtones associated with the bird—Christ is the “King of Kings,” hence the Caladrius signifies the elite, nobility, and regality.

Caladrius Dreams

Caladrius’ appearance in your dreams could indicate a period of healing in your waking life. It could also be a sign that you need to get rid of anything toxic in your life. If you see the birds flying, you may want to depart from an unpleasant circumstance or avoid a conflict.

If the Caladrius looks at you intently, it’s a sign that you should do some soul searching. This will assist you in overcoming any emotional barriers that are holding you back. It also denotes a time when you are seeking spiritual enlightenment. If Caladrius is angry, think about what’s bothering you and whether the trouble is worth it, or if it’s time to forgive and let go of a long-held grudge.