Often, when a small child asksparents about where he came from, father and mother reply: "The stork brought you to us!" The source of these words is covered in ancient legends and beliefs. And practically every people has many proverbs, sayings, signs associated with this amazing bird.
What do the storks symbolize?
A stork with a baby is a multi-valued symbol. In many nationalities inhabiting Russia, this bird was associated with the beginning of life, the mystery of birth. That's why they say that the storks are brought by storks. In this statement, there are echoes of Slavic pagan beliefs, and Greek and Roman mythology. The goddess Hera (Juno), the wife of the omnipotent Zeus (Jupiter), was considered the patroness of the family hearth, wives and mothers, especially nursing. She was prayed for by women who dreamed of giving birth to a child. And the storks were sacred birds belonging to Hera. And it was believed that if they appear near the house, the woman will necessarily become pregnant. Since that time, the stork is associated with the baby, with the happiness of the baby's birth. On ancient legends, people's observations of nature are superimposed. After all, these proud beautiful birds fly in the spring, when all life awakens from a long winter sleep. The miracle of the first germinating shoot, the first blossoming flower, the first fragrant sticky leaf on the tree, the bright sunny days - all this symbolizes the beginning of a new natural cycle, and the arrival of storks organically fits into it. And the coming of spring, the transformation of the surrounding world was associated with the birth of a new life. Therefore, it was the stork with the baby in its beak that became the symbol of motherhood and birth. In addition, if we recall the Christian traditions, then in this religion the bird was consecrated and symbolized the very piety, resurrection and purity of the believing soul. In the cultures of the East, legends tell of storks as the only birds in nature that not only feed and grow their chicks, but also maintain contact with their parents and even help them with food during the famine years. They live in pairs, from year to year they return to their former place of residence, to their native nests. So it is completely justified, when in legends and beliefs, proverbs and sayings the stork with the baby is mentioned. He embodies the warmth and love of the House, Family, Life.
Stork - a bird of peace and good
As we have already seen, there are many associated storksgood and bright beliefs. In the Moldavian legends, the bird rescued the defenders of one of the fortresses, when they were surrounded by Turkish invaders. People, hiding behind the walls, exhausted from thirst and hunger. Brushes of grapes, brought by birds, gave brave Moldovan soldiers strength, and they repulsed the enemy, defended the lives of their loved ones. That is why the emblem of the wines of this southern state was the stork with a bunch of grapes in its beak. And the pictures on which the flying stork carries the baby are also often found in folk art, not only among Moldovans. It is believed that if a bird couple built a nest near the house, it means that people will be lucky: the family living there will be happy, and their life is in abundance. "The stork on the roof is peace on earth," old people said. Because it has long been depicted on the arms of many cities in Ukraine, Belarus, Russia. Remember the famous song of the ensemble "Pesnyary" about Belarus. In it the stork also became the main hero - a symbol of the Motherland, a peaceful life full of joy. A touching and funny pictures of "Stork and the Child" can often be seen on the signs of maternity homes and women's consultations, greeting cards, books for children. This is a kind of amulets, protectors and protectors of motherhood and childhood.
That's how a wise and kind bird joined in the human consciousness with the most important and best manifestations of life.
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