What is the symbolic meaning of blue crane birds?

The Blue Crane is the national bird of South Africa and the symbol of the important Zulu royal house. The bird is also seen as a symbol of South African independence.

Among the amaXhosa of South Africa, the Word for blue crane is "indwe". When a man distinguished himself by deeds of valour, or any form of meritorious conduct, he was often decorated by a chief by being presented with the feathers of this bird. After a battle, the chief would organise a ceremony called ukundzabela - a ceremony for the heroes, at which feathers would be presented. Men so honoured - they wore the feathers sticking out of their hair - were known as men of ugaba (trouble) - the implication being that if trouble arose, these men would reinstate peace and order. The ancient Turks revered the blue crane. In East Asia, the crane is a symbol of longevity, the blue crane being one of four types. The the others are white, black and yellow.

Blue cranes are now found exclusively (or nearly exclusively, depending on your source) in South Africa, where their numbers have dropped significantly in the last 20 years. The IUCN has classified the blue crane as critically endangered.

Photo of blue crane: http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Blue-Crane

OTHER SOURCES:

www.thepresidency.gov.za/main.asp?include=symbols/bluecrane.html

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/lbeers/2_blue_crane.htm

http://jas.cankaya.edu.tr/jas6/(17)SerpilOpperman.pdf

http://www.zooatlanta.org/animals_bird_collection.htm