One of my readers found a grey sparrow trapped in her basement. She read somewhere that sparrows were symbolic of death.

Is that true? Are sparrows omens of death?

My belief system does not acknowledge death, but the association in collective human experience is valid.

Finches, sparrows and other small birds were used as sensors, indicating if oxygen conditions were safe for humans in potentially toxic locations.

Specifically, these birds were recruited in old mining expeditions in which the bird was lowered in a cage into deep caverns. Upon raising the cage, if the bird was alive the crew had the assurance to continue with the expedition. Deceased, the bird indicated unfavorable conditions and the miners would find alternate routes. This is one source explaining the 'omen of death' label.

Further, I have seen a sparrow give its life to indicate a warning for its feathered clan. No other sparrow will go near a fallen member as it indicates trouble or danger (a sign or omen) of death nearby to anyone foolhearted enough to follow the same path as its fallen kin.

On a lighter note, sparrows are also symbolic of:

My advice?

Turn a cheek against this somber side of sparrow symbolism. It's human-wraught anyway. We are far better served by observing this bright beauty in her natural light - a light of positivity and joy.

If you want a lighter, brighter view of Sparrow Symbolism, check out these pages:

Sparrow Meaning and Symbolism

Sparrow Messages