What Do Cranes Mean Spiritually?

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Learn what this graceful bird represents in myths, history, and dreams

Co-authored by Bailey Bujnosek, BA Reviewed by Michelle Arbeau

Last Updated: January 6, 2025 Fact Checked

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Spiritual Symbolism of Cranes

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Cultural Symbolism

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Origami Crane Symbolism

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As a Spirit Animal

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Seeing Cranes in Real Life

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In Dreams

Cranes have taken on special significance in many cultures. A crane’s graceful flight, enthralling mating dance, and beautiful silhouette make it an appealing symbol for themes such as longevity and joy. If you’re curious about the spiritual and cultural symbolism of these beautiful and inspiring birds, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading for a breakdown of common crane symbolism.

Common Symbolic Meanings of Cranes

In various cultures, cranes symbolize immortality, good fortune, and longevity due to their long life spans and endurance in migration. Because cranes mate for life and have a distinctive mating dance, they’re associated with commitment and loyalty in love. The crane also represents wisdom, nobility, bravery, and joy.

Section 1 of 6:

Spiritual Symbolism of Cranes

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In China, Taoist priests believe cranes transport souls to heaven. This spiritual significance is inspired by the bird’s migration patterns and longevity. Upon a Taoist priest’s death, the phrase yǔhuà (羽化) is used to express that they are turning into a feathered crane. Today, cranes are still seen by some as a spiritual messenger of departed spirits to heaven.^{[1]
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- Ancient Chinese art depicts immortal figures like He Xiangu flying on cranes.
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In Japan, a crane symbolizes longevity, immortality, and good fortune. Its ties to longevity come from the Japanese myth that a crane lives for one thousand years.^{[2]
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Research source} This belief is central to the ancient Japanese practice of senbazuru, or folding 1,000 origami cranes, to gain a wish or good fortune. Red-crowned cranes in particular are associated with immortality.^{[3]
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- Japan’s indigenous Ainu people perform a dance to honor the red-crowned crane as a divine creature.^{[4]
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Early Celts believed cranes symbolized secret knowledge. In Celtic mythology, the figure Lugh would perform a Crane Curse dance with his warriors by standing on one leg, closing one eye, and outstretching one arm. This crane-magic would allow them to see and walk between worlds like the crane stepping between the earth, sea, and sky. It’s also believed that the crane’s legs inspired the sacred Ogham alphabet.^{[5]
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In Ancient Greece, the crane was considered a messenger or an omen. The birds were considered messengers for the god Apollo because of their intelligence and vigilance.^{[6]
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Research source} In the legend of the cranes of Ibycus, cranes are considered an omen because they swarm to force Ibycus’s murderers to confess.^{[7]
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- The Crane dance, or Geranos, was a ritual dance in Ancient Greece tied to the myth of Ariadne and Theseus.^{[8]
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The crane holds special significance in Buddhism. In a popular legend, Prince Siddhartha (the future Buddha) rescues a wounded sarus crane and nurses it to health. His cousin, who shot the crane, attempts to claim it, but the king’s court grants Siddhartha custody of the bird for saving its life instead of trying to kill it. Statues show Buddha caring for the wounded crane, symbolizing the virtue of caring for all life.^{[9]
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- The round crane mark is the official emblem of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism. The bird is a sacred religious symbol to followers.^{[10]
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In the Bible, cranes feature in a verse about obedience to God. Specifically, in Jeremiah 8:7, cranes are mentioned along with other birds as knowing their appointed times—in other words, obeying natural law by instinctively migrating. They are contrasted with humans who ignore God’s judgment or laws.^{[11]
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- The cry of the crane is mentioned in Isaiah 38:14.^{[12]
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- Some translations of the Bible omit the crane or replace it with the swallow.

Section 2 of 6:

Cultural Symbolism of Cranes

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In Japanese culture, cranes symbolize loyalty and happiness. Because cranes mate for life, they are seen as symbols of loyalty and commitment. Crane art is featured in vintage wedding kimonos and at traditional wedding ceremonies.^{[13]
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Research source} Their mating dances and graceful movements represent the joy of life, so they’re associated with happiness as well.^{[14]
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In China, cranes symbolize wisdom and nobility. A crane’s long life and white feathers are taken to represent old age. In the Qing dynasty, the government used the crane as a symbol identifying first-rank officials. This practice tied cranes to nobility. In Chinese artwork, a flying crane could represent one’s political ambitions.^{[15]
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- There are other associations specific to the color of the crane:^{[16]
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  - A white crane is a symbol of purity, grace, and harmony.
  - A black crane is a symbol of mystery, yin energy, transformation, resilience, and bad luck.
  - A yellow crane is a symbol of prosperity, freedom, inspiration, and the city of Wuhan where the Yellow Crane Tower is located.
- In Chinese language, “crane” (鹤) is a homophone for “harmony” (合).
- Along with the snake, the crane’s movement and symbolic meaning inspire several movements in Tai Chi martial arts, such as “crane spreads its wings.”^{[17]
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Ancient Koreans considered the crane a symbol of longevity and purity. Cranes are featured in early Korean artwork referencing longevity. The elegant birds adorn gifts given on birthdays as a wish for long life. Their immortality is attributed to both their purity and their nobility above other bird species.^{[18]
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In South Africa, the blue crane symbolizes bravery. The blue crane is the national bird of South Africa. In the Ndebele culture, it is forbidden to hunt or eat the bird (known as mxololo) because of its natural bravery and hunting prowess. In Xhosa and Zulu culture, blue crane or indwe feathers indicate a warrior’s bravery. The feathers are either presented as a gift to heroes or worn in a warrior’s headdress.^{[19]
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In Native American mythology, cranes symbolize luck and leadership. The exact meaning depends on the tribe and folklore. In some instances, the crane was a good omen for Native fishermen. The Chippewa see the crane as symbolic of communication and leadership, giving these traits to members of the Crane Clan.^{[20]
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Research source} Other tribes such as the Hopi, Zuni, Pueblo, and Menominee also had or have Crane Clans.^{[21]
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- The Creek and Chumash tribes have Crane Dances.
- Not all crane symbolism is positive. In Wabanaki folklore, the crane represents vanity.
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Ancient Romans associated cranes with vigilance and guardianship. In Pliny the Elder’s The Natural History, he describes cranes selecting a leader to follow when they migrate. He also relates a story of cranes choosing sentinels who hold stones in their claws. If these guards fall asleep, the noise of the fallen stone will awaken the other birds.^{[22]
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In Aesop’s Fables, the crane symbolizes utility and foolishness. In the fable of “The Peacock & the Crane,” the peacock boasts about its beautiful feathers. The crane answers that it has the ability to fly freely. The moral suggests usefulness outweighs ornamental value. The fable of “The Wolf & the Crane” sees a crane help a wolf, only for the wolf to threaten the crane when it asks for its promised reward.
- The moral of the second fable indicates the crane was foolish to expect a reward from a wicked creature.

Section 3 of 6:

Origami Crane Symbolism

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Paper cranes are associated with peace and healing in Japan. Senbazuru, or folding 1,000 paper cranes to grant a wish, dates back to at least the 18th century. However, it was the story of Sadako Sasaki that popularized the association of cranes with peace. Sadako, a Hiroshima bombing survivor, was diagnosed with leukemia in 1955. The 12-year-old decided to fold 1,000 paper cranes, wishing to live longer. She passed away later that year and was buried with a wreath of 1,000 paper cranes.^{[23]
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- There is a memorial in Hiroshima Peace Park for Sadako. Visitors leave paper cranes made to honor her memory and the memories of all the victims of the Hiroshima bombing.^{[24]
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Section 4 of 6:

The Crane as a Spirit Animal

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A crane spirit animal symbolizes a connection to the divine. For some, the white crane is a spirit animal. Because some cultures view cranes as able to travel to the afterlife, having a crane as your spirit animal indicates a heightened connection to the divine or to the energy of the universe (or whichever higher power you believe in). The bird inspires you to be patient through its one-legged pose. A crane’s graceful flight and long life prompt you to respect nature and appreciate life’s cycles.^{[25]
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- If the crane is your spirit animal, you may encounter them frequently in real life, in art, or even in dreams. You may a feel that they're trying to communicate with you or get your attention.

Section 5 of 6:

What Seeing a Crane in Real Life Means

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Seeing a crane is a sign to trust your judgment. In China, cranes symbolize wisdom, and in Aesop’s fable of “The Peacock & The Crane,” the crane is wiser than the peacock. Crossing paths with a crane indicates you should trust your intuition when making life choices. You have the wisdom to make the right decision.^{[26]
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Seeing a pair of cranes represents commitment and love. The birds are known for mating for life and enchanting each other and observers with their elaborate courtship dances. If you see two cranes together, it’s a sign to reflect on the people you love and your commitment to them. It could be a good omen for the longevity of your relationship, if you’re in one.^{[27]
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Watching a crane’s flight symbolizes taking a new path. Cranes’ migratory flights are mesmerizing, their large wings spread wide as they swoop through the air. Symbolic of freedom and change, the birds’ flight prompts you to reflect on your direction in life. Consider taking a new path—or making sure the path you’re on is your own.^{[28]
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Section 6 of 6:

Seeing a Crane in a Dream Meaning

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Dreaming about a crane could symbolize good luck and joy. Cranes are associated with good fortune in various Asian cultures. Their graceful flight reminds viewers of the beauty of the natural world and the joy of life. In a dream, a crane may represent desired or future prosperity or remind you of what brings happiness into your life.^{[29]
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Dreaming of two cranes symbolizes positive relationships. Cranes mate for life with a single partner, earning them a symbolic association with loyalty and commitment. To see two cranes together in a dream implies positive signs for your romantic or other relationships. It may be a premonition of future romance. If the cranes are involved in a mating dance, it could symbolize an upcoming engagement or pregnancy.^{[30]
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