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The liver bird

The liver bird (/ˈlvərbɜːrd/ LY-vər-burd) is a mythical creature that is the symbol of the English city of Liverpool. It is normally represented as a cormorant, and appears as such on the city's arms, in which it bears a branch of laver seaweed in its beak as a further pun on the name "Liverpool".[1]

History

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13th century seal of Liverpool (lost in the English Civil War)
The coat of arms of Liverpool, granted in 1797
House flag of Mersey Docks and Harbour Company[2]

King John founded the borough of Liverpool by royal charter in 1207. The borough's second charter, granted by Henry III in 1229, gave the townspeople the right to form a guild with the privileges this came with, including the right to use a common seal.[3] Liverpool's ancient seal probably dated from this time, though the earliest surviving impression (kept in the British Museum) is from 1352.[3] The seal depicted a generic bird with a plant sprig in its beak, together with a scroll inscribed (in shaky letters) "JOHIS" - an abbreviation for Johannis, Latin for "John's".[3] The bird was almost certainly intended to be an eagle, the symbol of John the Evangelist, who was both the namesake and the patron saint of King John.[3] The plant sprig is interpreted as broom (planta genista in Latin), a badge of the Plantagenet dynasty.[4] Also visible on the seal is a star and crescent, one of King John's personal badges.[5]

The shoddy draughtsmanship of the seal has given rise to other theories. Richard Brooke, a 19th-century Liverpudlian antiquary, surmised that the bird was a dove with an olive branch, and that the scroll read "NOBIS" or "VOBIS".[6]

By the 17th century the bird's real identity had been forgotten: it began to be interpreted either as a cormorant, a common bird in the area, or as a "lever". In 1611 the municipal records describe the mayor receiving a plate "marked with the Cormorant, the Townes Armes", while in 1668 the Earl of Derby gifted the town a silver-gilt mace engraved with a "leaver".[3] In his 1688 work The Academie of Armorie, Randle Holme records the arms of Liverpool as a blue "lever" upon a silver field. Holme takes this word to be an adaptation of the German loffler or Dutch lepler, both referring to the spoonbill.[7] It is possible that these continental words were adopted for the bird in Liverpool's arms as they made a fitting allusion to the name "Liverpool".[3] Around the same time the broom sprig in the bird's beak was reinterpreted as a branch of laver, also on account of the similarity of the word to the city's name.

In August 1796 Mayor Clayton Tarleton wrote to the College of Arms to request an official grant of arms to the city. His letter called the bird "a lever or sea cormorant".[6] Arms were duly granted on 22 March 1797 by Sir Isaac Heard, Garter King of Arms, and George Harrison, Norroy King of Arms; however the grant described the bird only as a "cormorant".[8]

In addition to the arms and crest, Garter granted supporters on 23 March. These consist of Neptune, the god of the sea, and his son and herald Triton. The motto is Deus nobis haec otia fecit—a quotation from Virgil's Eclogues translating to "God hath granted us this ease" or "God has bestowed these blessings upon us".[4]

Representations in the city

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The Liver Building, with a closeup of one of the liver birds

Representations of the bird can be found throughout Liverpool, most numerously on the heritage lamp standards in the town centre on which small versions sit as a top piece. The two most famous stand atop the clock towers of the Royal Liver Building at Liverpool's Pier Head, overlooking the Mersey. Their names are Bertie and Bella. The male, Bertie, looks over the city and the female, Bella, looks to the sea.[9] The building, headquarters to the Royal Liver Assurance, was opened in 1911. The metal cormorant-like birds were designed by Carl Bernard Bartels and constructed by the Bromsgrove Guild of Applied Arts.

There are other less well-known liver birds in the city. A metal bird is on the nearby Mersey Chambers office building, adjacent to the Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas, the parish church of the city of Liverpool. Another, a bird carved in stone, topped the St. John's Market building of 1822 until its demolition in 1964. The stone liver bird is now displayed at the Museum of Liverpool.

In 2014 it was announced that a 6ft statue would be placed in the entrance to Liverpool Central station in memory of Paul Rice, former chief executive of Liverpool's Commercial District Partnership.[10]

Though nowadays the bird is inseparable in the public mind with Liverpool F.C., the first club to use it as a symbol was Everton. It was replaced in the 1930s with the Everton Lock-Up, another Liverpudlian icon. Some fans believe it should be reinstated, arguing that as a symbol of the whole city it rightfully belongs to both clubs.[11] In 2012, Liverpool FC introduced a club mascot based on the liver bird emblem, named Mighty Red.[12]

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Liver bird from the old Sailors' Home, now in Liverpool Museum

The modern popularity of the symbol largely dates to 1911, when the Liver Building was built. This prominent display of two liver birds rekindled the idea that the liver was a mythical bird that once haunted the local shoreline. According to popular legend, they are a male and female pair: the female looking out to sea, watching for the seamen to return safely home, and the male looking in to the city, watching over the seamen's families (or "making sure the pubs are open", as a jocular version has it). Local legend also holds that the birds face away from each other, for if they were to mate and fly away, the city would cease to exist.

Another popular story told about them is that they are chained down, for if they were to fly away the River Mersey would burst its banks and flood the city of Liverpool. This is somewhat similar to the mating story.[13]

An all female rock group from Liverpool called The Liverbirds was active in the '60s. They moved to Hamburg in 1964, where they were billed as die weiblichen Beatles (the female Beatles).

During the 1970s, The Liver Birds was the name of a popular British sitcom dealing with two young women in Liverpool, a play on the British slang term "bird" meaning a young woman.

The crest of Sir Paul McCartney is a calling liver bird holding a guitar, in reference to his profession and native city.[14]

Trademark

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Liverpool FC's Mighty Red liver bird mascot at Anfield

In November 2008, Liverpool Football Club filed an application with the UK Intellectual Property Office to register the version of the liver bird shown on the club badge as its trademark. The deputy council leader, Flo Clucas, responded that "The Liver bird belongs to all the people of Liverpool and not one company or organisation."[15]

Liverpool FC finally acquired a registration covering a trademark incorporating a liver bird in September 2010, after coming to an agreement with the city council. Liverpool FC obtained a trademark registration from the European trademark office and the council obtained its own registration from the UK IPO covering a trademark incorporating a liver bird. This was done to protect its use by companies in Liverpool, but also for the football club to protect itself against counterfeit products.[16]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Liver bird is a mythical creature that serves as the official symbol of , , commonly depicted as a or an eagle-like bird with outstretched wings, grasping a strand of laver in its beak to represent the city's maritime heritage. It appears prominently on the city's , flags, and public buildings, embodying Liverpool's identity as a historic port city. The bird's design draws from heraldic traditions, blending elements such as long legs, webbed feet, and a crested head, though variations exist across depictions, including more stylized or anthropomorphic forms in modern contexts. The origins of the Liver bird trace back over 800 years to 1207, when King John granted its , establishing it as a and incorporating a emblem on the official seal, possibly inspired by the eagle associated with Saint John the Evangelist. The earliest surviving seal impressions date to 1352, showing a with elevated wings holding foliage, which evolved into the recognized form by the when it was formalized in the city's arms as a in 1797. This emblem functions as a symbol, punning on "" (from for "muddy pool") by stylizing the "liver" as a , reinforcing local pride without reference to a real species. Historians confirm its mythical nature, dismissing early speculations linking it to actual birds like the or shoveler duck, and noting its use on civic items such as maces and medals since at least 1667. One of the most iconic representations is the pair of 18-foot-tall copper statues named Bella and Bertie, perched atop the Royal Liver Building since 1911, facing outward to symbolize vigilance over the sea and the city. Legends surrounding the Liver bird include tales of the pair being chained to prevent them from mating and departing, which would spell doom for , a motif emphasizing the emblem's protective role. The symbol extends to cultural and sporting icons, such as Liverpool Football Club's crest since 1901, and has been featured in trails and campaigns, underscoring its role in fostering community identity and heritage. As of 2025, the symbol continues to inspire initiatives like a 'third Liver Bird' made from recycled waste to improve recycling rates in the city. It also features prominently in Liverpool FC's new 2025–26 kits and digital rebranding.

Overview and Symbolism

Description

The Liver bird is a mythical creature serving as the emblem of , , typically depicted as a (Phalacrocorax carbo) grasping a branch of laver (Porphyra spp.) in its beak, reflecting the city's maritime heritage and a punning reference to its name. This form appears in the official , blazoned as "Argent a Cormorant in the beak a Branch of Seaweed called Laver all proper," where the bird stands on a white field, symbolizing purity and the local waters. The laver, an edible red seaweed once abundant in the Mersey , underscores the emblem's connection to Liverpool's etymology, derived from "liuerpūl," meaning "muddy pool" but folk-etymologically linked to "liver" as an archaic term for laver, evoking the seaweed-rich tidal pools. Early portrayals, dating to medieval seals from the 13th century, show the as a more generic eagle-like figure, often holding a sprig of () in its beak as a nod to the Plantagenet dynasty under King John, who chartered the town in 1207. Over time, these evolved into the standardized form by the , though variations persist, including hybrid features blending eagle proportions with cormorant's webbed feet and elongated neck, or occasional eagle-only renditions in heraldic contexts. The is commonly shown in a perched posture with wings slightly elevated or spread, conveying vigilance and readiness, as seen in the crest where wings are "elevated." Depictions employ diverse materials to suit contexts, such as weathered stone for architectural carvings, cast bronze for prominent statues like those atop the Royal Liver Building (each 5.5 meters tall and weighing over a ), and hammered or gilded metal for weather vanes and . In paired representations, such as the iconic duo on the Liver Building—affectionately named (female, facing the sea) and Bertie (male, facing the city)—subtle gender distinctions appear in rather than strict visual differences, though both hold identical seaweed sprigs. These elements ensure the Liver bird's versatile yet consistent visual identity across Liverpool's civic and .

Symbolic Meaning

The Liver bird, typically represented as a , embodies Liverpool's maritime heritage by symbolizing the city's foundational role as a bustling established for trade, navigation, and control of the . This seafaring connotation is reinforced by the bird's webbed feet and clutched in its beak, evoking the navigational prowess and economic vitality that defined Liverpool's growth as a global trading hub. In its protective role, the Liver bird serves as a guardian overlooking both the urban landscape and the surrounding waters, representing vigilance that fosters and safeguards the collective spirit of 's inhabitants. This watchful symbolism underscores the bird's evolution from an early eagle motif to a mythical protector, emphasizing endurance amid adversities and the enduring bond between the city's people and their environment. The Liver bird's emblematic significance ties closely to Liverpool's motto, Deus nobis haec otia fecit ("God has given us this peace"), where the creature's poised stance signifies peace achieved and maintained through steadfast oversight rather than complacency. Culturally, it cultivates profound local pride, blending land-based urban identity with Mersey maritime elements to encapsulate the city's hybrid character and unyielding fortitude.

Historical Development

Origins

The earliest documented association of the Liver bird symbol with Liverpool dates to 1207, when King John granted the settlement establishing it as a , and the eagle—representing the patron saint St. John the Evangelist, under whose protection the town was placed—is believed to have provided initial inspiration for the emblem. This charter marked Liverpool's formal recognition as a trading center, laying the groundwork for its heraldic development amid the Plantagenet dynasty's influence. The first surviving visual representation appears on Liverpool's town seal from 1352, preserved on a document in the British Museum, which depicts a perched bird—likely intended as an eagle—with elevated wings and a sprig of broom (Planta genista) in its beak, a badge emblematic of the Plantagenet kings who ruled during the town's founding era. The crude engraving renders the bird more dove-like than eagle, but its form aligns with medieval heraldic conventions, accompanied by a legend abbreviating "Johannis" in reference to King John. This seal's design is interpreted as a canting arms pun on "Liverpool," where the bird evokes "liver" and the overall motif ties to the muddy "pool" of the River Mersey. During the 13th and 14th centuries, as emerged as a key port for trade with , , and beyond—facilitating exports like and imports of wine and iron—the bird motif solidified as a heraldic device on official seals and documents, reflecting the town's expanding mercantile identity under royal . While some interpretations propose influences from local observations of water birds along the Mersey or broader Norse mythological elements in the region's , the symbol's primary evolution stems from these royal and saintly heraldic traditions.

Evolution

During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Liver bird began transitioning from its original depiction as an eagle of holding a sprig of , the Plantagenet emblem, toward more distinctly avian forms that emphasized its local maritime character. By the early , seal impressions from 1458, 1548/9, and 1557 show the bird evolving into a cormorant-like figure, reflecting a reinterpretation possibly influenced by the abundance of in the Mersey estuary. This shift culminated in the , with records from 1611 explicitly describing the town's arms as featuring a cormorant, and by 1668, the bird appeared in regalia as such, often holding instead of broom to pun on "liver" (from laver seaweed). Engravings and maps of the period, such as those by local cartographers, further solidified this cormorant identity, distancing it from the eagle's rigid heraldic pose. The formalization of the Liver bird occurred in 1797 when the granted its official on March 22, specifying a in the arms holding a branch of laver and another in the crest, with supporters of . This grant replaced the varied earlier seals and emblems, standardizing the emblem in a heraldic context for the burgeoning port city. In the , amid Liverpool's industrial expansion as a major trading hub, the Liver bird saw increased integration into civic , such as medals commemorating events like Queen Victoria's 1886 visit and the city's 1901 championship celebrations. Refinements emphasized uniformity in materials—like stone carvings on public buildings and metal for official certificates—and poses, with the bird typically facing left in about 80% of depictions to convey vigilance and consistency across municipal approvals. These changes were driven by heraldic conventions that favored symbolic clarity, interpretations by local artists who adapted the bird to evoke the city's seafaring prowess, and a deliberate avoidance of the eagle form to prevent overlap with national emblems like the English royal eagle.

Representations

Architectural Depictions

The most prominent architectural depictions of the Liver bird are the pair of sculptures crowning the Royal Liver Building, completed in as the headquarters of the Royal Liver Friendly Society. Designed by German sculptor Carl Bernard Bartels and fabricated by the Bromsgrove Guild of Applied Arts and Crafts, these 5.5-meter-tall figures, each with a 7.3-meter , were constructed from hammered plates fixed to rolled-steel armatures to ensure structural integrity at height. The female bird, known as Bella, faces the River Mersey to symbolize welcoming sailors, while the male, Bertie, gazes toward the city center for protection; these names, though of uncertain origin, emerged in local during the . The society's choice of the Liver bird as an emblem reflected its roots in a local tavern of the same name, integrating the motif into the building's Edwardian Baroque design by architect Walter Aubrey Thomas to evoke Liverpool's maritime heritage. Earlier examples include the stone Liver bird finial atop the original St. John's Market, constructed in 1822 as one of England's largest indoor markets. Carved from , this 1.4-meter-high weighed 330 kilograms and served as a rooftop until the market's demolition in 1964, after which it was preserved and is now displayed at the . In a similar vein, Mersey Chambers, a Grade II-listed office building erected in 1878 for the Harrison adjacent to the Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas, features a smaller metal Liver bird statue on its roof, predating the Royal Liver Building pair by over three decades and often called the "third Liver bird" in local parlance. Additional stone carvings of Liver birds adorn the exterior of , built between 1749 and 1754 in the neoclassical style at Exchange Flags, where three such figures complement the city's on the facade, emphasizing the bird's role as a civic symbol in 18th-century architecture. Post-World War II restorations preserved these motifs amid Liverpool's ; for instance, new civic structures like the 2011 incorporated enlarged replicas, including a life-size replica of from the Royal Liver Building, added in 2013, to reinforce the emblem in modern contexts.

Heraldic and Official Uses

The Liver bird's incorporation into official heraldry began with early civic seals, evolving from an eagle depicted in a 1352 seal—representing the eagle of St. John with a broom sprig as a Plantagenet symbol—to a cormorant holding seaweed by 1644, following the loss of the prior seal. This shift marked the bird's transition to its recognizable form, emphasizing Liverpool's maritime heritage through the laver seaweed pun on the city's name. The modern was officially granted on March 22, 1797, by the , featuring a single (termed a "lever or sea ") with wings elevated and addorsed, holding a branch of laver seaweed in its beak, all proper on an argent (silver) shield. Supporters were added the following day, consisting of holding banners with a and a , respectively, while the crest includes another with wings elevated holding laver. The full achievement often visually emphasizes multiple birds, though the shield itself bears one, and this design has been standardized for use in charters and legal documents since the . Variations in official depictions include both single and paired Liver birds, with paired cormorants appearing on some shields in historical and civic contexts to symbolize duality, such as guardians, while single birds dominate seals and crests. The logo, updated in 2009 to a stylized single Liver bird, incorporates the " NOBIS HAEC OTIA FECIT" ("God has granted us this leisure") from , appearing on official stationery, vehicles, and public signage. In contemporary applications, the Liver bird features prominently on the flag—divided per fess argent and gules with the arms in the center—municipal documents, public seals, and signage on government buildings like . underscoring its role in civic identity

Legends and Myths

Traditional Legends

The traditional legends surrounding the Liver bird portray it as a protective yet precarious guardian of , with tales emphasizing the dire consequences of its departure. One prominent narrative asserts that if the Liver birds were to fly away from their perches, such as atop the Royal Liver Building, the of would cease to exist or suffer catastrophic ruin. This myth underscores the bird's role as an eternal sentinel, symbolically anchoring the city's prosperity and identity to its fixed position. A related legend focuses on the pair of Liver birds, often named and Bertie, which are depicted as facing opposite directions to prevent them from mating. According to this story, should the birds turn toward each other, mate, and subsequently fly away, would face destruction, with the River Mersey overflowing its banks to flood the city. In this variant, is said to watch over the sea, vigilantly guarding against rising waters that could inundate the port if her gaze were diverted. Another variation holds that if an honest man and a virgin were to meet in front of the Royal Liver Building, the birds would fly away and the city would cease to exist. These tales, which personify the birds as a mated pair bound by duty, reflect concerns over 's maritime vulnerabilities and the need to "ground" the symbols mechanically with cables during construction. The origins of these legends trace to 19th- and 20th-century , emerging alongside the city's rapid industrialization and the erection of prominent Liver bird statues in 1911. As early as 1774, historian William Enfield described the Liver bird as a creation of "fabulous tradition," indicating its roots in imaginative local storytelling rather than . The myths likely drew inspiration from the architectural decision to secure the birds in place, transforming a practical choice into a of existential .

Interpretations and Variations

The Liver bird legend features prominent gendered roles in its most common retellings, with the female bird, often named , positioned to gaze seaward as a welcoming and protective figure for incoming sailors, while the male bird, known as Bertie, overlooks the city to safeguard its inhabitants. The names Bella and Bertie were popularized in the early 20th century alongside the Royal Liver Building's construction and may derive from , the wife of King John who granted Liverpool's charter in 1207, and (nicknamed Bertie), who reigned during the building's completion. Though some accounts suggest the female bird protects the city and the male watches the sea, reversing the typical assignments, while other variations depict the birds in neutral, non-gendered terms without specified duties. In the , legends evolved to support , with adaptations in promotional materials reinforcing the core myth while emphasizing Liverpool's resilience and allure for visitors. Scholarly debates center on whether these myths predate the 1911 , with evidence indicating the bird symbol originated in 13th-century seals as a or eagle but the flying-away catastrophe narrative likely emerged as symbolic invention during the building's era to enhance civic identity, rather than from medieval .

Cultural Impact

The Liver bird has been a prominent feature in Liverpool Football Club's (LFC) branding, appearing on the club's crest since the turn of the 20th century as a symbol drawn from the city's . In 1992, LFC updated its crest to include a stylized representation of the Liver bird, which has since become integral to the club's identity on kits and merchandise. In June 2024, LFC adopted the Liver bird as its official digital emblem for the 2024-25 season across all digital platforms, followed by a refreshed brand identity in February 2025 that incorporates custom typefaces inspired by the bird's form for use in , websites, and merchandise. Prior to LFC's adoption, , originally formed as St. Domingo's FC in 1878 and based in , incorporated the Liver bird into its early crests and medals, including the 1891 League winners' medal, but discontinued its use in the 1930s in favor of other local icons like the . LFC introduced its official , Mighty Red—a costumed Liver bird character—in 2012 to engage young fans at community events and matches, marking the club's first pitch-side mascot and aiding outreach efforts that have reached over 30,000 children. In music, the Liver bird features in the personal heraldry of , the ' Liverpool-born member, whose 2001 depicts a Liver bird clutching a guitar to honor his hometown and career; the crest was formally presented in 2002. The symbol inspired the title of the sitcom (1969–1979), which followed two young women sharing a flat in and drew on the city's cultural vibe post-Merseybeat era, with the name playfully referencing both the mythical birds and the female protagonists. The Liver bird appears in various films and books that evoke 's lore, such as references to its protective in narratives exploring the city's , though specific adaptations often blend it with broader identity rather than standalone retellings. Merchandise featuring the Liver bird is ubiquitous in Liverpool's tourism sector, with LFC stores selling items like statues, mugs, and apparel emblazoned with the emblem, alongside city-wide souvenirs such as keyrings, prints, and jewelry that capitalize on its status as a . initiatives include the Liver Bird Trail, a self-guided route organized by National Museums Liverpool that highlights over 100 depictions of the bird across historic sites, educating visitors on its 700-year evolution as a city symbol. Festivals incorporate the Liver bird through themed events, such as the Liverpool Irish Festival's annual Liver Bird Safari walking tour, which spots avian motifs while weaving in local heritage stories. The Liver bird gained global visibility during Liverpool's hosting of the in 2023, where a record-breaking drone display over the River Mersey formed a massive image of the mythical bird alongside Ukraine's , symbolizing the event's theme of unity and drawing an audience of over 25,000 at the . This appearance reinforced the emblem's role as an international emblem of , featured in broadcasts and merchandise tied to the contest's celebration of the city's musical legacy. In 2010, Liverpool Football Club (LFC) successfully registered a stylized version of the Liver bird as a trademark with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), following a dispute with Liverpool City Council that began in 2008 over commercial rights to the symbol. The initial application by LFC aimed to safeguard the club's branding against counterfeit merchandise, but it faced opposition from the council, which viewed the Liver bird as a civic emblem; an agreement was reached allowing LFC exclusive commercial use of its specific design while permitting the council to maintain protections for non-commercial applications. Liverpool City Council holds a UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) registration for the official coat of arms incorporating the Liver bird, established to preserve its use in civic and non-commercial contexts such as public ceremonies and community initiatives. The council provides guidelines emphasizing that the symbol may be used freely for non-profit civic purposes but requires permission for any commercial reproduction to avoid dilution of its heraldic integrity. Historical disputes include Everton Football Club's early adoption of the Liver bird on its crests and medals from the late until the 1930s, when the club relinquished it in favor of a tower-based design amid growing association with LFC. More recently, international cases of unauthorized reproductions have involved LFC merchandise featuring the stylized , leading to enforcement actions by the club in markets like and to curb revenue losses from fakes. A notable 2012-2013 legal challenge by an Everton supporter seeking to revoke LFC's trademark was dismissed by the EUIPO, affirming the club's rights. As of 2025, LFC maintains its EUIPO (renewable and active post-Brexit equivalents in the UK) for commercial applications, while the City Council upholds its UKIPO registration for official uses, creating a dual framework that supports the club's merchandising revenue while restricting unauthorized commercial exploitation and preserving civic symbolism. This arrangement implies strict licensing for branded products like apparel and memorabilia by LFC, with ongoing vigilance against global infringements to protect both economic and cultural value.

References

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