kardinaali

Kardinaali is a Finnish word that can refer to several different things, most commonly a bird or a high-ranking member of the Catholic Church.

In ornithology, kardinaali refers to the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), a species of bird native to North and Central America. It is known for its vibrant red plumage, particularly in males, and its distinctive song. While not native to Finland, the Northern Cardinal is sometimes seen as an escaped pet.

In a religious context, kardinaali refers to a cardinal, a senior ecclesiastical official in the Catholic Church. Cardinals are chosen by the Pope and form the College of Cardinals, which advises the Pope and elects a new Pope upon his death. They typically wear red vestments, which is the origin of the color's association with their title.

The term kardinaali can also occasionally be used metaphorically to describe someone or something of great importance or prominence, similar to how the word "cardinal" is used in English. However, its primary uses in Finnish remain related to the bird and the church official.