Sandhill Crane Animal Symbolism
Sandhill cranes mate for life (or until their mate dies). They are very devoted to one another and model the ideal romantic relationship. They are a good symbol for a happy marriage.
Sandhill cranes have a distinct trumpeting call. It sounds like a combination of the chirp of a trumpet mixed with a little rattle drum. See my video below which includes the sandhill crane’s voicings mixed in with original photos I took and a piano piece I created for the video.
In most cultures, cranes represent good luck, wealth, prosperity, health, longevity, vigilance, and loyalty.
In China, cranes relate to music and dance because they dance even when not mating. They remind us to celebrate all the time and to find the joy in daily life — not just waiting for special occasions.
Native Americans believed cranes represented speaking ability and self-expression, eloquence, immortality, leadership and wisdom.
Vigilance
When migrating, sandhill cranes carry a stone in their mouths to help them stay awake. If the stone falls, it wakes them up. Similarly, if a crane is standing watch at night, it will stand on one leg so that if the other leg drops, they wake up. This is why many equate cranes with vigilance.
Sandhill cranes are one of the creatures I spotlight in my “Finding Peace in a Turbulent World: Living in Sacred Nature” Affirmation Card Deck.
Sandhill cranes are one of my favorite birds. They are graceful in flight and there is something about their calls that is so primal, it brings me to tears.
I’ve seen them frequently in Winneconne, Wisconsin. Then, we went to Hiawassee, Tennessee to watch them in their migration stop over there. The photos in the video below are from those two locations.
I share more about sandhill cranes and what I learned from them in “Finding Peace in a Turbulent World: Living in Sacred Nature.” The book is a combination of inspiration, lessons from nature, caring for the earth and finding peace by connecting with the sacred in ourselves, in others, and in all of creation. There’s also a Living in Sacred Nature 12-week journal planner available with the book to implement the suggested practices.
