Hart & Soul

02 Apr 2018 • 155 views
 
supporter of
atom rss 1.0 rss 2.0
web browser google del.icio.us digg technorati
| lost password
birth date
cancel
photoblog image Easter Monday *

Easter Monday *

 

A Death and Resurrection Legend:

A mama pelican kills her chicks and revives them 3 days later

by feeding them her blood.

 

[ADDENDUM, fom Lisl, which I can understand better:  "The symbolism of the mother pelican feeding her little baby pelicans is rooted in an ancient legend which preceded Christianity. The legend was that in time of famine, the mother pelican wounded herself, striking her breast with the beak to feed her young with her blood to prevent starvation. Another version of the legend was that the mother fed her dying young with her blood to revive them from death, but in turn lost her own life."] 

 

 (in the Aachen Cathedral, Germany)

 

 * Today is Second Easter Day in the Netherlands, a national holiday.
 
 
 
 
 

Easter Monday *

 

A Death and Resurrection Legend:

A mama pelican kills her chicks and revives them 3 days later

by feeding them her blood.

 

[ADDENDUM, fom Lisl, which I can understand better:  "The symbolism of the mother pelican feeding her little baby pelicans is rooted in an ancient legend which preceded Christianity. The legend was that in time of famine, the mother pelican wounded herself, striking her breast with the beak to feed her young with her blood to prevent starvation. Another version of the legend was that the mother fed her dying young with her blood to revive them from death, but in turn lost her own life."] 

 

 (in the Aachen Cathedral, Germany)

 

 * Today is Second Easter Day in the Netherlands, a national holiday.
 
 
 
 
 

comments (26)

Jolie légende sur ces pélicans.
Ginnie Hart: On face value, Martine, I actually find the legend disturbing. (sigh)
I always thought pelicans were nice... we used to have an Easter Monday holiday in NC before they switched it to Good Friday.
Ginnie Hart: I had never heard of this story until I moved to Europe, Larry. Nor had I heard of an official Second Easter Day!
I've not heard that before.... This is really beautiful!
Ginnie Hart: I had never heard of it either, Elizabeth. I actually find it disturbing, for some strange reason.
  • Lisl
  • England
  • 2 Apr 2018, 05:56
Known as a "Pelican in her Piety", Ginnie - you probably know that. If she is shown without the blood, she is just a Pelican
Ginnie Hart: No, I did not know that, Lisl, so thanks for the added info. Strangely, I find this legend quite disturbing, even though I grew up with the Jesus story.
  • Astrid
  • Netherlands
  • 2 Apr 2018, 07:04
I never heard the story, Ginnie. This is wonderful and I love your presentation.
Ginnie Hart: I often see this pelican in churches while out-n-about, Astrid, but never heard the story. I think you saw it but never knew the story? Bedankt.
  • Chris
  • Not Nowhere
  • 2 Apr 2018, 07:14
A traditional church carving Ginnie, we often see it here in the UK
Ginnie Hart: I have seen it several times in different forms, Chris, yes. But it's been brand new for me since living in Europe!
Wat een mooi tegelplateau en bijzonder verhaal.
Ginnie Hart: It surprises me every time I see it, Marjolein.
  • gutteridge
  • Somewhere in deep space
  • 2 Apr 2018, 08:32
A fine depiction of the story Ginnie.
Ginnie Hart: It is, Chad, but the story still disturbs me, for some reason.
Interesting the read this,the ultimate noble sacrifice
Ginnie Hart: Indeed so, Martin.
  • Ray
  • Not Germany...
  • 2 Apr 2018, 10:25
I have not heard this story before, Ginnie.
Ginnie Hart: It was new to me, too, Ray, after moving to Europe.
i can't bear that story!! you know how i love animals... and i'm sensitive today... Happy Easter Monday, my friend
Ginnie Hart: It's the Jesus Story, Elaine, told in a different way. But I understand how the first version is deeply unsettling. The third version is the only one I can relate to as regards the Jesus Story.
Oh I've heard of Lisl's version before. But this mother pelican actually looks more like a stork than a pelican?!
Ginnie Hart: I am very glad for the other versions, LC, making much more sense to me, as it relates to the Jesus story. I also agree on the stork vs. pelican comment.
  • Steven
  • Chicagoland
  • 2 Apr 2018, 12:34
A beautiful image that you've captured here with a great story behind it!!
Ginnie Hart: Thank you, Steven. So many stories; so little time!
This is a new one on me, but filled with symbolism no doubt.
Ginnie Hart: So not all Europeans know it either, Brian, I'm finding out!
A very unusual piece of decor!
Ginnie Hart: I agree, Tom.
Very strange. Still it is a bank holiday here so everyone can stay at home and enjoy the rain. Ange and I are going to Hereford tomorrow
Ginnie Hart: I suppose they could call it a Bank Holiday here, Bill, but they simply say Second Easter Day. smile
The legend continues in other fables too.
Ginnie Hart: Yes, Mary. Always something new to learn.
A disturbing story, perhaps for this reason many associate the phoenix to a pelican. Beautiful shot, perfect I would say.
Ginnie Hart: A disturbing story, indeed, Claudio, and most kind of you.
  • willy
  • België
  • 2 Apr 2018, 18:55
I never heard this story... Ginnie


a beautiful photo

greetings
Ginnie Hart: It was new to me, too, Willy. Thanks.
this is a beautiful image and i liked the legend about the mother pelican Ginnie and thank you too Lisl....petersmile
Ginnie Hart: Thanks all around, Peter! smile
  • sherri
  • Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
  • 3 Apr 2018, 01:41
intriguing patterns in this work of art
Ginnie Hart: The symbol itself always surprises me, Sherri, often seen here in Europe as a statue. This was one of the best non-statues I've seen to date.
So beautiful.
Ginnie Hart: I thouht so, too, Michael.
beautiful presentation and i did not know this story, Ginnie.
Ginnie Hart: Thank you, Ayush. It's been new for me as well, since coming to Europe.
  • Louis
  • South Africa
  • 3 Apr 2018, 18:03
I know some types of pelican has what looks like a hook at the point of the beak, but in general it would be very difficult for a pelican to draw blood by striking its own breast. Nonetheless - an interesting story that I have now read for the first time. I can just wonder what the reason would be to mask the Christ story in this way.
Ginnie Hart: The oriinal story apparently pre-dates Christianity, Louis, but the ensuing adaptations appear to have taken on the Jesus Story. It was new to me a few years ago, once coming to Europe.
Wow! What a story! Thanks for sharing.
Ginnie Hart: I know. It still blows me away, Robin.
  • CherryPie
  • Great Britain (UK)
  • 5 Apr 2018, 00:22
This is not a legend that I have encountered on my travels in England.
Ginnie Hart: It's making me want to know more about it, Cherry. (And btw, your link isn't working here again. I need to go find it.)

Leave a comment

must fill in
[stop comment form]
show
for this photo I'm in a any and all comments icon ShMood©
camera Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
exposure mode aperture priority
shutterspeed 1/5s
aperture f/6.3
sensitivity ISO2000
focal length 43.4mm
Barn FridayBarn Friday
A Mid-Week BreakA Mid-Week Break
Good FridayGood Friday

Warning