I’m often struck by how birds shape people’s experiences. Sure birds are interesting on their own. They are fascinating to observe and study. But many readers also have told me about bird experiences that have moved them in a different way.
Powerful stories have been shared about birds that have appeared before or after the death of a loved one or at the time of another personally significant event.
Historically, birds have appeared in sacred texts. In the Bible, for example, there are many references to spirits descending from heavens as doves do. In Genesis, a dove represents peace and hope in the story of Noah and his ark. In Jewish scriptures, God is likened to an eagle and Israelites to young eagles.
The Hindu deity Garuda is an eagle-like god often associated with Lord Vishnu. Garuda is said to protect people from poisonous snakes. In Buddhism, the tale of a swan nursed back to health by Siddhartha underlines the value of each creature’s life.
For centuries, artists have channelled spiritual powers that birds have symbolized. Russian composer Igor Stravinsky created the ballet Firebird. Painters such as Paul Klee and Marc Chagall frequently incorporated bird imagery in their works.
The spiritual powers of birds are immediately apparent when you look at many of the contemporary works of British Columbia artist Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson. In works that include supernatural depictions of jays, ravens, and thrushes, feathers may represent alignment with the earth. Each bird image is situated in a symbolic habitat.
About her piece called Steller’s Jay Woman or Kl’aay Kl’aay Jaad, she said “I’ve chosen to represent Kl’aay Kl’aay Jaad in this series because in many ways she reminds me of my late mother, Mabel (Jones) Williams, beautiful in her boldness, command of attention and entertaining nature, and fierce in the protection of her children.”
Williams-Davidson also is a musician and she even invokes the spirit of birds’ vocalizations in her work.
“What we say affects outcomes and therefore we must be careful with our words.”
To learn more about her powerful works visit ravencallingproductions.ca.
It comes as no surprise that some birds have come to be seen as omens. Lore suggests that if a bird follows you it will be a guardian bird. Hawks, noted for their remarkable eyesight, are said by some to represent clear-sightedness for humans.
Ravens have been depicted in mythologies and lore. The Germanic god Odin was associated with the raven’s powers of memory and thinking. The raven is a central part of Haida creation stories. The bird’s reputation as a creative trickster is reflected in many myths.
Some people relate to avatar birds. According to the Chinese zodiac, we are in the year of the rooster. People born in this year are said to be active, very social, and talkative. They like the spotlight and are sometimes demanding or boastful, or quite literally cocky.
Whether it is the Chinese zodiac or Aesop’s ancient fables about geese laying golden eggs and vain crows losing their cheese to manipulative foxes, birds inform our lives.
Most often when I’m out in nature, I am content simply to observe birds, but I sometimes wonder what it would be like to wheel around in the sky, inhabiting the spirit of a bird.
- At Petroglyphs Provincial Park north of Peterborough, many Aboriginal rock carvings of birds and other creatures dating back to 900 and 1100 CE have been preserved. This sacred site is also known as the Teaching Rocks.
- Steve Burrows, author of the highly acclaimed four-volume Birder Murder Mystery series published by Dundurn Press, will speaking Nov. 24 at the London Civic Garden Complex at 625 Springbank Dr. The event, hosted by Nature London, kicks off at 7 p.m. The cost is $5 for those who are not members. See naturelondon.com
- An interesting online resource featuring the distinctive nocturnal flight calls of migrating birds is accessible for no charge at oldbird.org/pubs/fcmb/start.htm. Michael O’Brien, a co-author of The Shorebird Guide and co-creator of this resource, calls it a resource “for the bird call geeks.”
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