Walk along the banks of a fast moving mountain stream and you may just be fortunate enough to spot one of the unusual birds who make their homes in such places. If you meet this particular bird, you may not notice anything special about it at first glance. The dipper is almost always drab in color. In the United States they are slate grey. In Europe they are brown with white throats. In Asia they are a pure deep brown. All in all they look like plain unassuming thrushes. (1)
The dipper, however, is much more than it appears to be. If you spot one, watch closely as it throws itself, head-first, into the rushing water of a shallow stream. Hold your breath as this tiny creature swims under the water’s surface for up to fifteen seconds at a time. The dipper may be a songbird, but this little singer makes its living by plunging beneath the current. (2)
When it comes to the dipper, don’t let appearances fool you. There is more to this bird than meets the eye.
Dipper Symbolism and Meaning
The dipper, the White-throated Dipper specifically, is the national bird of Norway and may represent this nation’s pride, traditions, people, culture, and land. In addition, the American Dipper is present mostly along the western coast of North and Central America. This bird is a favorite amongst visitors to Yosemite State Park where they can often be found diving into the park’s many clear streams. (3)
The dipper, due to its tendency to live in cooler climates and its diving behavior, must withstand incredibly cold temperatures. As a result of this, the dipper has developed a number of incredible adaptations. Extra membranes protecting their eyes help them to see whilst diving underwater. Their noses are protected by scales which open and close to let in air while on land but prevent water from rushing in while swimming. (4) Dippers also have slow metabolisms and blood which is specially adapted to carry extra oxygen throughout the body. (5) So, the dipper represents overcoming challenges and adapting to one’s circumstances. The dipper has turned harsh conditions into incredible strengths.
Dippers are the only songbirds, or “passerines,” in the world which are aquatic. Their ability to swim is unique amongst their kind which allows them to take advantage of an ecological niche in which there is little competition. (6) Because of their swimming abilities, dippers represent hidden talents and nonconformity.
The dipper’s head-first dive into the water can represent the “leap of faith,” as well as the importance of perspective. Dipper’s don’t just gaze at the water’s surface, they dive to the bottom to get what they need!
Finally, dippers largely prefer clear shallow water, especially running water. For this reason, the dipper represents purity, cleanliness, and the pristine beauty of clean river ecosystems.
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Dipper Native American Symbolism
In some Native American cultures, the dipper can be connected with the spirit of the river. Like most aquatic birds, it is sometimes thought of as having a sacred healing influence.
Dipper Christianity Symbolism
The dipper’s preference for clear water connects it with honesty and purity. The dipper reminds us to reject polluting influences. Nothing good comes from immersing ourselves in that which is muddied with bad decisions.
Dipper Celtic Symbolism
In Celtic stories, the dipper is associated with the Otherworld. The dipper’s diving behavior is connected with transitions between worlds as well as between points of view or phases in one’s life. The dipper represents change.
Dipper in Dreams
If you have been dreaming of the intrepid little dipper, it may indicate that a big decision looms on the horizon. The dipper might visit one’s dreams as a sign to “dive in” and embrace what scares you in order to be prosperous.
A dipper dream may also represent the need to give up on meeting the expectations of others. Although the dipper does not behave like most songbirds, it is happy to sing whenever it pleases. Don’t let others put you in a box or gatekeep who you are. Uniqueness can be an unexpected source of strength.
Dipper Encounters and Omens
If you have been lucky enough to encounter a dipper, take note of its energy and vigor. No matter how cold or unforgiving the water is, the dipper dives in with gusto. A dipper encounter reminds us not to do anything half way. Hemming and hawing will never make a tough situation easier. All we can do is give it our best shot, work hard, and know where our limits are.
A dipper encounter may also be a sign that you need to seek out surroundings which are cleaner and healthier. Dippers don’t like stagnant water. Surround yourself with people who are honest and who exhibit the traits which you would like to nurture in yourself. In this way, you can refuse muddy waters just like the dipper does.
Dipper in Mythology & Folklore
The dipper is such a fascinating bird that it is no wonder that it has several equally fascinating roles in myths around the world. Even in cultures which do not feature dipper folklore, this unique little bird can be understood based upon the myths and tales which are attached to similar aquatic birds.
Native American Mythology:
It is difficult to find Native American myths which address the dipper by name, however water birds are very common characters in Native American stories. They are often associated with magic, mystery, wisdom, healing, and the barrier between the worlds of the living and the dead. The dipper’s incredibly unique ability to dive and swim as a songbird would probably connect this bird with otherworldly forces. (7)
The kingfisher is similar to the dipper in its habitat and its habits. In Native American legends, the kingfisher often appears as a magician with the power to influence the forces of nature. (8)
Norse Mythology:
The White-throated Dipper is the national bird of Norway. (9) In the Norse language, it is called “Fossekall.” This name is also the name of a particular type of river spirit from Norse folklore. Fossekallen are also referred to as “Fossegrimen.” These creatures live in rushing water, especially near waterfalls and mills. The Fossekall is a humanoid spirit which is generally benevolent and is associated with music. It is possible that the Fossekall is named after the White-throated Dipper, especially because of this bird’s beautiful singing voice. The White-throated Dipper is also known to dive into fast moving streams and waterfalls. (10)
It is said that Fossekallen are talented musicians and will lure humans to the water’s edge in order to have an audience for their songs. According to the folklore, the Fossekall’s instrument of choice is the violin. The Fossekall is even said to be willing to teach lucky human interlopers to play the violin. If the human student throws a sufficient animal sacrifice into the Fossekall’s river, the spirit will twist their arm until they can play the violin at the level of a master. Insufficient sacrifices are said to have less impressive results. (11)
Disturbing a dipper’s nest is also said to be bad luck due to their supposed connection with the world of fairies and spirits.
Egyptian Mythology:
In Egyptian mythology, aquatic birds are almost always associated with the Nile, the land of the dead, and the human soul. In fact, the human soul in Egyptian mythology is comprised of three parts. One of these parts is usually depicted as a water bird of some kind. (12)
Both waterfowl and wading birds in Egyptian mythology are associated with creation and various creator gods. Although Egyptian myths don’t incorporate the dipper specifically, this bird can be assumed to be connected with the other birds which make their livings on the banks of rivers. (13)
Japanese Mythology:
For the Ainu people of northern Japan, the Brown Dipper, or Asian Dipper, is a bird which is associated with good luck and dutifulness. One of the most important gods, or “Kamuy,” in Ainu culture is the great owl, or Ural Owl, which is called “Cikap-Kamuy.” According to legend, this important benevolent god noticed that humankind was experiencing a famine. There were no deer in the forests and no fish in the rivers for the Ainu people to eat. Because he was kind to humanity, he decided to send a message to the other Kamuy and ask them why they were withholding their gifts. (14)
He began to relay a message to a crow, but the message was very long and took several days to relay. So, after a while, the crow fell asleep. Cikap-Kamuy was frustrated by this and called upon a jay instead. After listening for several days, the jay also could not stay awake. Finally, desperate to convey his important message, Cikap-Kamuy called upon the Brown Dipper. The dipper listened for six whole days while Cikap-Kamuy spoke. Dutiful and enthusiastic, the dipper was able to stay awake because he knew that Cikap-Kamuy’s message was very important. When the message was finally complete, he flew to the other Kamuy and asked them to end the famine. The Kamuy explained that they felt disrespected and taken for granted by humanity. Thanks to the dipper’s help, Cikap-Kamuy was able to teach the Ainu the proper ways to respect the Kamuy’s gifts. The famine ended and the Brown Dipper became recognized as a faithful servant to Cikap-Kamuy and an ally to mankind. (15)
Greek Mythology:
Dippers are not found in Greek mythology, however the dipper does share its name with the Big Dipper and Little Dipper constellations. The Big Dipper is known in Greek mythology as “Ursa Major,” and is said to have once been a beautiful woman named Callisto. According to legend, Callisto was impregnated by Zeus, making Hera very jealous. Hera, in a fit of rage, transformed Callisto into a bear to rob her of her beauty. Callisto’s son was adopted by humans and Callisto was banished to the wilderness. When Callisto’s son grew up, he became a hunter. One day, Callisto saw her son on the hunt. She was so excited that she forgot that he was a hunter and she was a bear. She ran to him and, fearing for his life, he fired an arrow at her. At that moment, Zeus pitied Callisto. He rescued her and her son and placed them in the sky as stars. Together, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor are forever safe and at peace in the night sky. (16) This story is not about the dipper bird, but their shared names connect them.
Dipper Spirit Animal
If the dipper is your spirit animal then you are someone with droves of hidden potential. People with the dipper spirit animal enjoy surprising others with their unexpected gifts and unconventional ways of seeing the world. The dipper spirit animal is often found in people who don’t mind standing out from the crowd.
People with the dipper spirit animal tend to be fearless individuals, however they are very particular about where they spend their time and with whom. They are unlikely to be overly outgoing as they are most comfortable in situations where they can see the possible outcomes clearly.
Dipper Totem Animal
The dipper totem animal is all about vision and truth. People with the dipper totem animal are realists who see things as they are. The dipper totem animal dislikes liars and is uncomfortable in situations that are unnecessarily confusing. In spite of this, people who possess the dipper totem are excellent at maintaining focus under harsh or dynamic circumstances.
Dipper Power Animal
The power of the dipper lies in its ability to defy the typical nature of the songbird and make use of an underused ecological niche. People with the dipper as their power animal are blessed with a gift for recognizing and seizing opportunities. The dipper power animal grants courage, foresight, and follow-through.
Dipper Tattoo Meaning
A dipper tattoo may represent a situation or personality which is more complex than it appears on the surface. Additionally, dipper tattoos may represent Norwegian pride, individuality, hidden talent, or Ainu faith.
Conclusion
The dipper is a special bird which reminds us to look a little closer at the parts of nature which may seem “plain” or “typical” at first glance. Dippers excel at defying expectations. Their incredible ability to swim in the bitterly cold waters of mountain streams set these birds apart from the other residents of their forested habitats. Like the fearless dipper, there comes a time in all of our lives where we must plunge, head-first, into uncertain waters.
