At this time of year, we don’t just spot robins in the garden or woodland. They adorn everything from Christmas cards to Christmas cakes. So why is this little bird associated so strongly with the festive season, particularly as they are resident in this country all year round?
Well, the best explanation seems to be that in the early to mid 1800s, letter carriers or postmen wore a scarlet uniform and became known as redbreasts or robins. As postmen are more active at Christmas time because of the increase in post, robins became a symbol of this time of year.
Other interesting ‘facts’ about robins include various views about how it got its red breast.
In the Christian tradition, it is thought that a robin tried to remove the thorns from Jesus’ head during the Crucifixion, and that drops of his blood fell onto the bird and stained his breast feathers red forever.
In another story, the robin gained his red breast from flying into the fiery wastes of hell to carry water to the stricken sinners who were suffering there for all eternity.
However, the most bizarre fact uncovered is definitely this: if the first bird that you see on St Valentine’s Day is a robin, it means that you are destined to marry a sailor! Handy, if like Bempton Cliffs, you’re on the coast. But not so good if you're based in Bradford.
Ref: bbc.co.uk; legendarydartmoor.co.uk; hubpages.com