10/23/2026
There is more symbolism behind the cardinal than its Christmas colors, although there is no single, firmly documented origin for the tradition. Its meaning developed through holiday art, religious associations, and folklore.
Its name has a connection to the Church. Early European settlers thought the male bird’s scarlet feathers and pointed crest resembled the red robes and caps worn by Roman Catholic cardinals. That is where the bird’s name comes from.
Some Christians see its red feathers as a reminder of Christ’s blood. That is a symbolic interpretation people have given the bird, rather than an established explanation for how the Christmas tradition began. Others associate cardinal ornaments with happiness, health, and prosperity—another piece of holiday folklore.
Its winter presence gives it a lovely meaning, too. Cardinals remain through the cold months, and males retain their red plumage. Seeing that vivid color when the trees are bare makes the bird an appealing symbol of hope and enduring life. The winter behavior is a fact; the meaning we draw from it is interpretation.
Christmas cards helped make the connection familiar. Commercial Christmas cards began in England in 1843, and American production followed in the 1870s. Cardinals became a favorite subject, with their red feathers set against green branches and white snow. That places their Christmas imagery within the broader card tradition that began during the Victorian era.
