The humble robin is usually a welcome sight in people’s gardens. Interestingly, for years, the bird has been revered by people throughout the world. The English, visionary poet William Blake (1757-1827) wrote, “A Robin Redbreast in a cage, puts all Heaven in a rage.” In fact, it is believed by many that harming the bird in any way will bring bad luck, or worse to the perpetrator.
For instance, if you are thinking of robbing a redbreast’s nest, you should reconsider. Anyone who does steal an egg will not prosper afterwards. Worse still, they may become entranced by witches or the Devil. If you break a robin’s egg, you can expect something you hold precious to be destroyed. If you break a robin’s wing, you will later break your arm. Whatever harm you do to the bird, you will receive like for like afterwards. In Yorkshire, it was believed that if you killed a robin, and you owned a cow, the milk would become blood coloured. People in other parts believed that your barn or house would be burnt down.
One old proverb claims that, “If a robin you should dare to kill, your right hand will lose all its skill.” However, in Ireland, it is believed that a large lump will develop on your right hand. This will prevent you from working and will therefore ruin your livelihood. Beliefs are so strong, that it is said a cat won’t even hurt a robin redbreast. Conversely though, on Candlemas Day (2nd February), in Western France, a robin was traditionally spit roasted over a fire.
The negative associations with robins continue with the bird being considered an omen of death. Oxfordshire appears to be particularly wary of the bird. It is believed that if a robin sings whilst sat on your window sill, death will not be far behind. If the bird taps on the window of a room where someone lies ill, the patient will die. A redbreast flying into your house is also thought to foretell the death of someone in the household. If the bird sits on a chair whilst someone occupies it, that person will die within a year. However, in Gloucestershire as well as Oxfordshire, a robin is only considered a death omen for eleven months of the year. During November, it is thought to be good luck if it flies into the house.
A robin flying into a church and singing is believed to indicate the imminent death of a parishioner. In Wales, a robin was not a welcome sight near a mine. A redbreast near a mine was believed to indicate a disaster below the ground. In the North Midlands, the bird is said to have covered Jesus in leaves after his crucifixion. It was also claimed that this is how the robin acquired his red breast feathers. They were covered in Christ’s blood as the bird worked.
Needless to say, there are other explanations for the red feathers. A common Christian belief is that the bird pulled the thorns from Jesus’ crown, on the first Good Friday. The blood that fell from his brow onto the bird turned the feathers red. An Inner Hebrides belief is that when Jesus was born, the fire in the stable almost extinguished. The robin fanned the ashes to keep the fire alight and burnt his chest feathers on the flames. This belief offers a link between the Christian and earlier beliefs.
One pre-Christian belief says that the robin burnt his breast feathers whilst carrying water to a benevolent god trapped in the inferno of hell. Another folk tale relates that the wren flew to hell to obtain fire for man. When the bird returned, with its plumage ablaze, the robin saved the other bird. However, the robin scorched his own feathers in the process. Finally, in Guernsey, it’s said that there was no fire on the island until the robin carried it there.
For years, robins have been thought to bring good or bad luck. If you wish of the first redbreast of spring, your wish will come true. However, if the robin flies away before you make a wish, you will have bad luck for the next year. In the US, a robin flying upwards in the spring is believed to portend good luck. Downwards is a sign of bad luck though. In Germany, it is considered good luck for newly weds to see a robin as they leave the church.
Like many country residents, the robin has been used for weather divination over the years too. One old saying is, “If the robin sings in the bush, then the weather will be coarse; But is the robin sings on the barn, then the weather will be warm.”
No matter how wet the weather, it is believed a robin chirping on an open branch means fine weather is on the way. In Germany, a redbreast is even believed to ward off lightening. If you see a robin hopping near your house, looking for food, cold weather, particularly frost and snow, are on the way.
This is actually quite fitting as today, the robin has become a popular subject on Christmas cards, surrounded by snow. Interestingly, cards with robins weren’t introduced until the middle of this century. Strangely though, old beliefs held fast near Lechlade, Gloucestershire, in 1950. It was said that to receive a Christmas card with a robin on was an omen of death and misfortune in the coming year.
Other plants which were not winter hardy anyway have finally given up the ghost. The fuschia was still flowering in mid December. Having taken a look yesterday, all of the leaves have died off and the ends of some stems also don't look too good. We'll have to see what the warmer weather eventually brings.
On the plus side, there are buds and shoots appearing all over the garden. Daffodils have well and truly broken the ground and the Japanese Maple has got small red buds on the ends of twigs. Another shrub, whose name I can never remember, is also throwing up lots of shoots already. It seems to have more and more shoots every year.
The winter flowering pansies I planted early December have survived relatively unscathed. They still managed to flower under 25cm of snow which amazed me. They add a small splash of colour to an otherwise fairly bleak looking garden.
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