Flamingo and the Power of Self-Care: Calling on Animal Allies for Our Sacred Self-Care

I read something that says, “When someone starts liking the color pink when they’ve never liked it before, it means they are finally healing. This doesn’t happen overnight, but in the quiet moments they don’t even notice. Then, suddenly one day, the color pink is everywhere.”

The color pink is aligned with the healing journey.

This really resonated with me because I realized I had quietly become obsessed with the color pink. It started subtly- post-it notes at the office, then an ink pen, a thrifted t-shirt I just had to have, images I’d save without thinking. Before I knew it, I had an entire Pinterest board titled, “Pink is My New Fave.” While this had crept in quietly, the truth is, the shift began even earlier- with flamingos. My fascination with them was the gateway. And now, as I sit here reflecting, I realize it’s been over a year since I first felt the jolt of pink- smacked in the face, in the most magickal way, by the image of a flamingo. 

Of course, I’d seen flamingos before- images in books, decorations, and even in person at the zoo. But this image was different. It took my breath away. It felt sacred. Personal. Like it knew something I hadn’t remembered yet. It felt like finding a long-lost love. I was so enamored with this image that I saved it into my phone’s photos, and it’s still there to this day. 

Flamingo and self-care

It took time for me to understand why the flamingo had come flying so boldly into my life. At first I wasn’t hearing the message. The revelation unfolded slowly, beautifully, and with purpose. I started to notice flamingos everywhere. Signs, art, mentions in the most unexpected places.

A couple of months after finding the image, a banner appeared somewhere- perhaps social media or online but that’s not as important as it seemingly appearing out of nowhere- announcing that the local zoo’s flamingo exhibit was open to the public again. Without hesitation, I planned my visit and purchased my ticket- heart open, spirit curious. I knew, deep down, that I needed to see them. I needed to witness their grace and vibrancy in person. It wasn’t just a visit, it was a pilgrimage. 

This is when it finally clicked- standing before them in awe. Their energy, their presence- it was medicine. Flamingos are beauty in motion. Graceful, yet wild. They do not hide their vibrant color but instead, they seek it out. I had forgotten that their sacred color- pink- isn’t innate, but earned. Flamingos only become that radiant hue when they’re properly nourished; their vibrant color comes from the carotenoids in their diet. Achieving full potential, vibrancy through nourishment; this hit me hard.

Proper nourishment is part of self-care.

Their loving message came through loud and clear: I need proper nourishment too. Real nourishment. My spirit, my body, my mind, my creativity- they all needed to be fed with more intention. I was being reminded that I could never fully radiate my full potential, be my most authentic self unless I was caring for myself, deeply and consistently. And that included what I was consuming- in every sense of the word.

Self-care, self-love isn’t a soft, passive act. It’s bold. Audacious. Sacred.

So, the image of the flamingo was me finding a long-lost love- my own self-love that had been otherwise absent. They were mirroring back a version of me that I needed to remember. Not a previous version, but the one full of potential that I had forgotten.  

That moment- the jolt of pink- was a spark that set transformation in motion. Pink can be soft and gentle but the vibrancy of the flamingo doesn’t whisper; it shimmers, struts, and radiates. These stunning birds don’t shrink themselves or dim their glow. Their bold pink coloring is the result of how they’re nourishing themselves. Without the right nourishment, they fade. Just like us. And just like them, we are not meant to blend in. We’re meant to shine in our own unique hue. 

The flamingo became my guide, a symbol of unapologetic authenticity. Graceful, yet wild. Beautiful, yet bold. Creative and joyful, yet balanced. They remind me that being soft and strong can coexist- that living vibrantly is its own kind of rebellion. 

As I learned more about them, I discovered that some ancient cultures once held flamingos

Flamingos were sacred in ancient Egypt.

sacred. In Egypt, they were associated with the Sun god, Ra and were treated with reverence and care. That felt significant too- flamingos aren’t just pretty birds; they’re radiant symbols of sacred beauty, divine connection, and creative fire. There is something cosmic about their presence. A reminder to live vividly, with intention and to treat ourselves with the same sacred reverence. 

Flamingos live in flocks, and that matters. They are reminders that self-care doesn’t end with bubble baths and green smoothies- it includes those we surround ourselves with. Our community is vital. A key part of self-care is releasing toxic dynamics and choosing to stay close to people who nourish us, who reflect our light instead of dimming it. Toxic relationships dull our color. We must choose carefully what and who we allow into our sacred space.

Be mindful of who you're allowing into your sacred space.

The flamingo in all its radiant glory carries a message:

You are meant to be seen.

You are meant to stand tall.

You are meant to love yourself fiercely. 

You are meant to live a life that feeds your soul. 

If you're finding it hard to prioritize self-care or reconnect with your sense of self-love, consider calling upon the flamingo. This radiant being holds powerful energy for healing, balance, and unapologetic authenticity. Use the following invocation to align with its wisdom and invite its grace into your life:

Flamingo, 

Grace and beauty unfolds

Wild elegance

Of an untamed spirit

Your sacred color

Means self-care

Balance and Healing

Moving forward boldly.

Animal allies often come into our lives to help us on our healing journey and this includes the path of self-care. If the flamingo has found their way into your life, they may be guiding you to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the beauty of your own being. Their presence is a reminder that healing can be graceful, that softness is strength, and that you are worthy of the kind of care you so often give to others.

Let self-love be your color. Be good to yourself. Let your authenticity shine unapologetically. Let your life be a bold, brilliant display- just like the flamingo.

So go on- be pink! Be radiant. Be wild and soft and sacred and bold.

Let your flamingo flag fly!

Flamingo- a vibrant reminder that our self-care is sacred.