When a pigeon poops on you it is said to be a sign of good luck. This belief originated in Russia and it is based on the fact that the chances of a pigeon pooping on you are very low, especially when you consider that pigeons rarely poop when flying. But, how does the occurrence translate into good luck? Why is a pigeon pooping on you good luck?
How Rare Is It To Be Pooped On By A Bird?
According to a thread on Reddit the average person has around 5184 seconds (86 minutes) daily exposure where they are at risk of being pooped on.
Birds poop roughly once every 2880 seconds, so there is a probability of 1/2880 each second or a poop probability each second of 0.001 * (1/2880) per bird encountered.
The probability of surviving a day without getting pooped on is (1 – (0.001 * (1/2880))) ^ 5184 = 0.9982016187
So there is a 99.8% chance that the next time you go out you won’t get pooped on by a bird.
It’s quite unusual, which is why it is said to be a sign of good luck, as it is such as rare occurrence.
For myself (aged in my mid-30s at the time of writing) I can think of only three occasions in my life where I’ve knowingly been pooped on by a bird.
Is Getting Pooped on By a Bird Good Luck?
If you believe in other good luck symbols such as four-leaf clover, horseshoes, a rabbit’s foot, the number seven (and more), why should you doubt the veracity of the claim that being landed on by bird poop brings good luck?
No empirical evidence exists that proves that any of these charms bring good luck so it is down to what you believe.
There is also the view that it matters what type of bird it is that poops on you as to whether it is good luck or not.
For example, Hindus believe crow poop brings bad luck whereas pigeon poop is good luck.
This is tied into the general symbolism of pigeons that is accepted to be the same all over the world.
The Symbolism Of Pigeons
Pigeons are very symbolic creatures, symbolizing love, peace, hope and more.
For some people, everything associated with pigeons and doves…including their poop can be a good omen!
Pigeon Poop Meaning
All animal poop symbolizes harmony and balance in the natural cycle that begins with life (food) and ends with death (poop).
Within that cycle, poop will tell you where the animal comes from, what they eat and the kind of life they live.
Poop is also an indicator of wealth. The higher quality and larger amount of food produces a higher quality poop and this abundance is what leads to stepping in poop being a sign of good luck.
Bird poop signifies abundance, vitality, and good health. When you then add the symbolism of pigeons, pigeon poop has a much greater and deeper meaning than other birds’ poop.
Mindset
Let’s be frank, a pigeon pooping on you isn’t nice.
It can potentially ruin your day.
However if you change your mindset and instead of thinking “just my luck, something else to make my day even worse”, you think “wow, what are the chances…maybe today is my lucky day”…then you change a negative occurrence into a positive one.
That shift in mindset can actually help you achieve more positive outcomes in your day which could be put down to the ‘good luck’ of the pigeon poop.
Dwayne Wade, an American basketball player, filmed a short video explaining how he was convinced that getting pooped on by a bird is good luck, watch what he has to say about his run-in with a bird below:
Spiritual Meaning of Birds Pooping on You
Different belief systems may interpret it with slight variations, but most give credence to bird poop having a spiritual meaning.
Being hit by bird poop is a visual indication that you have been noticed by god, a spirit and the universe. The exact interpretation depends on your beliefs.
Some think that a bird is a connection between the earth and heaven so when a bird poops on you it is a message from heaven, a blessing from above.
There is a quite wonderful spiritual perspective.
If a bird poops on you, it is a cause to stop and take a deep look at yourself. Symbolically, you are now in a position where you have to take stock. You take an honest look at your life choices, behaviors, actions, and beliefs.
This is followed by cleaning up which translates spiritually to cleansing and transformation and these too, add to the omen theme of good luck. When you then think of the symbolism of pigeons, pigeon poop landing on you has true depth of meaning.
The opposite view presented is that if you believe a bird pooping on you is a bad luck omen then you are not open to receiving the luck and abundance that life, the universe and everything have to offer.
So the next time you get pooped on by a pigeon rather than cursing your misfortune maybe you should go and buy a lottery ticket instead!
Also Read:
Why is pigeon poop white?