Cormorant
Meaning & Symbolism
Purpose
The Cormorant symbolizes the need for purpose—a guiding force that drives our actions and gives meaning to our lives. Purpose is more than a goal; it’s the essence of why we strive, adapt, and persevere. Knowing your purpose requires clarity, courage, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. Purpose shapes our journey, motivating us to face challenges with resilience and determination. The Cormorant embodies this through its intentional and resourceful behavior, reminding us that with focus and commitment, we can achieve the most profound transformations.
Cormorant is also referred to as a Sea Raven, and this regal bird knows exactly what it wants and how to get it. The Cormorant dives deep into the water to catch its prey, fully immersing itself in its goal. Similarly, to live with purpose, we must be willing to plunge into our depths, exploring the murky and uncertain waters of our hearts and emotions. The Cormorant’s boldness in diving into the unknown teaches us that growth often requires embracing discomfort. It asks us to take the leap, trust our instincts, and work through challenges with resourcefulness and determination.
The Cormorant’s willingness to swallow stones to help it dive deeper is a striking metaphor for purpose-driven living. These stones represent the burdens, struggles, and seemingly heavy tasks we willingly take on to grow. Like the Cormorant, we can learn to see these challenges not as obstacles but as tools to help us reach new depths. By holding onto these weights temporarily, we gain access to deeper understanding and transformation, knowing we can release them once they’ve served their purpose.
Cormorants have shorter wingspans than many other birds, which means they expend more energy in flight. This adaptation, however, makes them excellent swimmers, uniquely equipped to pursue their goals underwater. This reminds us that our perceived limitations often serve a greater purpose, shaping us into who we are meant to become. To sustain your energy during life’s demanding pursuits, the Cormorant suggests incorporating practices like deep breathwork, which can help you harness the power to navigate both the air (your thoughts) and the water (your emotions).
The Cormorant’s habit of drying its wings after diving is a reminder of the importance of balance and self-care. This bird doesn’t rush from one dive to the next—it takes the time to spread its wings, bask in the sun, and prepare for its next endeavor. Similarly, after achieving a goal, pause to celebrate your success, reflect, and express gratitude before diving into the next challenge. Gratitude fuels purpose and replenishes your spirit, helping you stay aligned with your heart’s true desires.
Additionally, Cormorants produce pellets, similar to Owls, regurgitating indigestible parts of their prey. This serves as a lesson in discernment: even if you take on more than you can handle, trust that you’ll be able to process what’s valuable and release what no longer serves you. This ability to transform experiences into wisdom mirrors the deeper understanding we gain when living a purpose-driven life.
The Cormorant’s symbolism of purpose teaches us to commit fully, adapt resourcefully, and honor the lessons of each challenge. By diving deep into our hearts and taking bold, intentional action, we can nourish our souls and achieve profound growth.
-Tanya Casteel ©Cosmic Animals
Cosmic Animal Cards & Guidebook
I want to hear about your Cormorant experiences. What stories or dreams have YOU had? Please share and join in the conversation below!
Reading about Cormorant, as if I was reading about me.
I have been taking advantage of pictures occuring on my espresso for years, I have decided lately to write about them on my blog. I found your amazing page thanks to todays cormorant appearance. Thank you!
I was walking down on the beach collecting crystals. I noticed a black cormorant on the beach acting funny. He was hopping around like a penguin and did seem to follow me. I walked slowly down the beach wondering if he needed help.
He then went to the water and I noticed two seagulls following his actions. I turned and walked towards the seagulls who decided to move off, because of me. The cormorant was swimming around and seemed to be ok diving too. So I continued my crystal picking.
Then I noticed the cormorant following me in the water. He was swimming beside me. I thought I have lost my mind. Why would a wild bird follow me? I thought I was just imagining it. I turned around to walk back on the beach to see if he was REALLY following me. Sure enough he got out of the water to the beach and waddled 2 metres away from me. He did stand there watching me and I did not know what to do. I asked if he needed some help, but did not get any definite answer (he did not speak human). While I did stand there transfixed he started to groom his feathers.
A couple stopped by and asked who is my new friend. I got a phone number from them so I could call for animal rescue for help.
After they left, my cormorant friend put his head under his wing and started to sleep. I felt that he was feeling safe, because I was watching over him. The tide was rising and darkness was falling. I did not know what to do.
I called to the animal rescue number for advice. My cormorant woke up for my voice talking over the phone. He decided to jump to a higher perch on the rocks and promptly fell to sleep. Advice was to leave him to be. He probably wasn’t in any real trouble. Just an youngster who did not know how to be a real cormorant yet and he needed to dry his feathers before he could dive again.
It all sounded so reasonable and my cormorant seemed so content sleeping on his high perch. I promised to return the next day if he was still there needing my help.
But today the storm hit the coast and it’s been too bad to go for the beach. I wish that my cormorant is all ok out there, weathering this storm and I hope that he got his feathers dry before the storm did hit the coast.
I feel very strong bond to him now. I probably will never know how things ended with him, but it was truly magical encounter. I am a bit shaken afterwards. How did he trust me so much to look after him while he fell to sleep?
What a moving experience—thank you for sharing it. It sounds like the cormorant truly sensed your calm presence and instinctively trusted you to watch over him during a vulnerable moment. Animals often have a way of connecting with us beyond words, and your patience and care created a safe space for him. Even if you never learn what happened next, you gave him peace when he needed it most, and that bond will stay with you. Perhaps this encounter is a reminder of the power of trust, compassion, and being present in the moment. What a gift for both of you!
Got up this morning to find an injured Cormorant in the fountain at the condo complex where I live. He was swimming in the fountain underneath the main entrance and I was worried because I grew up in the wilderness so I know that wild animals don’t choose to be near humans unless they are in distress. So I came out numerous times during the day (and by numerous, I mean more than 20 times by 10AM.) I observed him swimming in the fountain and noticed he was only using his right leg to swim. Later, I managed to get close enough to him when he was out of the the fountain to observe him walking along the edge of the fountain and noticed he was “limping” on his left leg. I got quiet and managed to get closer so he wouldn’t get back into the fountain and was able to see that his left web was partially sliced off. He had about 1/2 of his left web remaining. i decided to run my Sunday errands and see how he was when I got back. When I got back, he was still in the fountain and looking more stressed. I decided to call around to see if I could find a wildlife rescue. After many, many calls I got a call back. The moment I was about to pick up the call, Charlemagne (that’s what I named him) flew out of the fountain and squeezed his body through the fence to the back courtyard behind the complex next to the lagoon. Unfortunately, the fence around the back courtyard to the lagoon is a chainlink fence so he couldn’t get into the lagoon, although he kept trying! I went back with him and saw a gate that led to the lagoon. I have a gate key that opens every outside door to the complex and figured, “What the hell, let’s see if works” AND IT DID!!!! I took off my shirt (no worries, sports bra underneath,) and managed to “shoo” him to the gate that led to the lagoon. He went through and started swimming. Once I knew he was in his own habitat, I collapsed into tears. I cried so hard that a neighbor from the next complex over, yelled out his window, “Are you ok?” Yes, I said. Just having a feels.”
Wow, that sounds like a profound experience. I love how much compassion you have for Charlemagne. Thank you for sharing.
Oh, I felt that I should have done more for my cormorant, because you are so correct. Wild animals don’t come near human if not in need of help! But the odds were really against me in doing anything else last night. If there had been a clearly something wrong with my cormorant I would have rescued him. I still feel maybe I should have done it. But also, maybe I did all what he needed. It is not easy to be alone in the wide world not feeling that nobody cares about you. Maybe he just needed somebody standing over him while he fell to sleep. I wish it was so.