It’s become a rare yet welcome sight spotting a robin whilst out and about – but for some people, a ‘visit’ from the red-breasted bird can hold a much deeper and more spiritual meaning.

For many people who have lost a loved one, robins are viewed as symbols of visits from the dead, and an unexpected appearance can indicate that their relatives, friends or spouses are near.

Countless stories have been shared by individuals affected by grief and loss, who have experienced a moment of comfort when a robin has visited during a particularly dark time.

The idea that robins are reincarnated love ones dates back to ancient British folklore.  

In Celtic mythology, the robin was a symbol of passion as well as new beginnings and were believed to bring messages of hope and rebirth.

Robins are often linked to Christmas and the story of Christ in Christian symbolism. Some Christians believe a robin was by Jesus’s side at the crucifixion, and its red breast is said to have come from a drop of his blood.

Other legends say a small brown bird fanned the flames of a fire to keep the baby Jesus warm – with its chest burning and turning red. 

Many Brits will also be familiar with the phases: ‘Robins appear when loved ones are near’ – the belief that seeing a robin means a late loved one is looking down on you.

One mother, who lost son to a brain tumour, was shocked to receive a ‘sign’ from her little boy when she visited his grave on the anniversary of his death.

It’s become a rare yet welcome sight spotting a robin whilst out and about – but for some people, a ‘visit’ from the red-breasted bird can hold a much deeper and more spiritual meaning 

Jack Robinson, from Waterlooville, Hampshire, died aged four on April 1st 2014.

Three years later, in April 2017, his mother Marie, now 53, asked her little boy to give her a sign before visiting his grave later that day.

When she arrived at the cemetery she sat down on the grass next to Jack’s burial spot – it was then she noticed a little robin was flying around and trying to land on her.

‘He didn’t seem scared at all,’ Ms Robinson told the Mirror.

‘He went and sat on a nearby headstone so I got my phone out to film him being close to me and he flew over and landed on my hand.

‘He kept looking at me directly in my face and at one point he landed on my shoulder and nibbled me a couple of times. Yes it brought me to tears. Taking it as a sign from Jack.’ 

Another woman, Gill O’Neill, from Cambridge, shared how her husband of 19 years, Phil, had died aged 53 in 2015 after being diagnosed with cancer. 

Describing the shock and grief as ‘unbearable,’ Ms O’Neill revealed her late husband had eventually found a way to ‘comfort’ her after his death – by coming back as a robin. 

One mother, Marie Robinson, who lost son, Jack (pictured), to a brain tumour, was shocked to receive a ‘sign’ from her little boy when she visited his grave on the anniversary of his death 

She said: ‘There is a saying: “A robin appears when a loved one is near,” and I truly believe that has been the case with Phil.

‘Whenever I need his advice, or am thinking about him, a robin appears. I know he’d say, “What a load of rubbish,” but it’s happened too often to be simply a coincidence.’

‘I think Phil gave me permission to fall in love again. The night of my first date with my second husband, Lawrence, I was sitting in my car ‘chatting’ to Phil about it, and suddenly a robin appeared on my car.

‘He’s helped me make other important choices, too. Phil and I set up the nursery I own together, and after his death I got really stressed wondering whether I would have to sell it. 

‘On the day I had to make the decision, I left to take the rubbish out and two robins were sitting on the bin.’

When Marie arrived at the cemetery she sat down on the grass next to Jack’s burial spot – it was then she noticed a little robin was flying around and trying to land on her 

Speaking to the Mirror in 2018, another woman, Stacey Woodhouse, revealed she had received a surreal visit from a robin the day after her mother’s funeral. 

She said: ‘My husband and I decided to still go on a weekend camping trip that had been arranged before her passing.

‘A robin flew around us, landing in our picnic table. She then proceeded to hop into our awning and through into our camper van.’

Corrina Whelan also told the publication that a robin appeared on her grandmother’s headstone the first time she visited her resting place after her death. 

She added: ‘For a long time after that a robin would appear on the wall outside the kitchen window every time my mother called to my house. I believe in robins and white feathers.”

On social media, others have shared their ethereal encounters with robins, with many posting their experiences on the popular Facebook page, Robins Appear When Loved Ones Are Near.

One member of the page, Michael, shared: ‘My father passed 15 years ago today and as I stood in my garden wishing I could see dad once more a robin came very close and started singing. I think it was my dad who loved singing when alive.’

Attaching a photo of two robins perched in a tree, Aimee wrote: ‘Very very rare you’ll see two robins in your garden at same time… This must be two of my aunties coming to visit.

Others have shared their ethereal encounters with robins, with many posting their experiences on the popular Facebook page, Robins Appear When Loved Ones Are Near 

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Jodie also posted a photo, commenting: ‘I lost my grandad on Wednesday, I was waiting to get on the bus to go into my local town and these two little beauty’s sat on the fence until I got on the bus.

Another snap of a robin that had landed on top of what appeared to be a public bin was uploaded by Tracy, who added: ‘Lost my mum three months ago, was out for a walk yesterday and this little Robin was following me, did my heart good.’

Jane, posting a photo of a robin sitting on the branch of a pine tree, said: ‘I lost my mum November 23, I still struggle badly with this.

‘We had to sell the family home after 52 years, was the only home I ever knew with my mum and dad there. I pop into the garden twice a week to feed certain animals and there’s always this little one watching over me. I believe she is with me.’

According to TV psychic Sally Morgan, for those seeking a sign from the spirit world, one of the ‘first signs’ you’ll receive is a visit from a robin. 

Speaking to the Mirror, she said, ‘Robins are free, they fly in, they fly out,’ suggesting that the birds are spirits who ‘want to say hello.’

Encouraging grieving individuals to look out for a robin as it could indicate ‘a sign from a spirit,’ Sally added that people will ‘know’ it’s their loved one as they will ‘instantly think’ of their departed spouse, friend or relative.