The creek here at the farm 
has a semi-resident Great Blue Heron of which I have zero photos-- absolutely none-- though I have seen it fly off many times. Well I might have taken a few of its tail feathers or a ghostly shadow as it flew past. One time I even saw it right outside my bedroom window, thought ah ha, but still it flew away before the camera could focus.Fortunately, the Great Blue Herons at Cabell Marsh, where Parapluie, Farm Boss and I walked last week-end, were less skittish-- also farther away. All photos were taken by Farm Boss with a 400mm lens. Parapluie sketched and from that came this painting: [Cabell Marsh].
There is a
lot of appeal to the heron and its sculptural shape. In China, cranes (which look pretty much like herons to the casual viewer) are highly revered. The Chinese make paper cranes for symbolic luck and protection.
With most animals, to consider their spiritual qualities, you think what you observe about them. The heron symbolizes vigilance, quiet, the power of water, the underworld, tact. As they delicately move, they are grace personified. They are considered to represent both life and transformation.
To the Celts, the heron is Creyr, the taker of life or the bringer of it. As the Teut
onic peoples saw the stork bringing babies, the Celts saw this as done by Creyr. Images of the heron, as protector, are common in Celtic art. The symbol was put on shields as their belief was if you saw a heron, you
were going to die; so they made sure their enemies saw one.In many traditions, the heron (or similar appearing birds like the Ibis ) is a sacred water bird. Since water, astrologically speaks to our emotions and interior life, the heron symbolically represents our guide to self reflection and inner discoveries. Looking at it as it patiently studies the water, waits, becomes one with its environment, who can deny this image as a focusing tool for developing those qualities in ourselves?
To Native Americans, the blue heron brings messages of self-determination. Herons represent the ability to move forward with life and change as needed. The long thin legs illustrate that we don't need massive pillars to remain upright.
Herons are lessons in patience. They are the ones who observe and wait, moving swiftly when the time is right.
7 comments:
We've been walking in the Arcata Marsh lately, and seeing Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons. There is something so riveting about their graceful beauty, the curve of their necks, their huge and elegant wings in flight.
There was a Great Blue Heron that would come into our yard in Washington and eat all of our little goldfish right out of our very little pond. We could hardly move by the window without making it take off in a big hurry.
Thanks for the post Rain and bringing back memories.
In elementary school in my son's class each student drew the name of bird out of a hat that they were to study and write about and my son got the Great Blue Heron. We were lucky enough to see one nearby that year since they are kind of rare around here. Ever since then they have kind of been a special bird for us to watch out for.
OH, I really enjoyed all of this info about the Heron's. Being a Pisces, I'm drawn to both water and birds.
We have many Blue Heron's here on the island and I've always admired their gracefulness but never knew about their patience or other things connected to them.
So thanks for posting this.
Terri
http://www.islandwriter.net
Greetings: www.jamesrwilliamson.com
Great images of herons. I have been painting herons for two years. Visit my website for a sample. Send me an email for more information. Thanks
Blue Herons are spiritual messengers; graceful, stern, ambivalent. They patiently wait near water for you to embrace the message being sent. Your soul's yearning answer and pathway back to equilibrium.
Beautifully written article. Thank you.
We have one here in the desert in AZ who has discovered our fish pond. He has been by half a dozen times and almost walked into my daughter's room through the patio door--or could have. I think he's magical,but my daughter is creeped out. I didn't like the Celtic idea that this meant you were going to die.
I have staved off clinical depression and clinical anxiety for 15+ years. My family doctor found out and was enraged with me for not telling anyone. He did what he could then referred me to a psychiatrist. 10 years of mental; emotional, and physical abuse by my stepfather has resurfaced and increasingly gotten worse; my psychiatrist recomended walking my dog; jazz; and meditation in addition to the medicatiion i'm on... in three months he has erased many years of pain. Now every time I take my walk I see a blue heron. Found out about it's symbolism and thank God so much every time I see one.
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