Often, when a small child asks parents about where it came from, dad and mom answer: “The stork brought you to us!” The source of these words lies in ancient legends and beliefs. And practically every nation has many proverbs, sayings, signs associated with this amazing bird.
What do storks symbolize
A stork with a baby is a multi-valued symbol. For many nationalities inhabiting Russia, this bird was associated with the beginning of life, the sacrament of birth. That's why they say that storks bring babies. In this statement, echoes of Slavic pagan beliefs, and of ancient Greek and Roman mythology are heard.
Goddess Hera (Juno), wife of the almighty Zeus (Jupiter), was considered the patroness of the family hearth, wives and mothers, especially nursing. She was prayed by women dreaming of having a baby. And storks were sacred birds belonging to Hera. And it was believed that if they appear near the house, the woman will certainly become pregnant. Since then, the stork has been associated with the baby, with the happiness of the birth of the baby. Ancient legends are superimposed by popular observations of nature. After all, these proud
beautiful birds fly in the spring, when all life awakens from a long
winter sleep. The miracle of the first sprouted sprout, the first blossoming flower, the first fragrant sticky leaf on a tree, bright sunny days - all this symbolizes the beginning of a new natural cycle, and the arrival of storks organically fits into it. And the arrival of spring, the transformation of the world around us were 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. Moreover, if we recall 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 raise their chicks, but also keep in touch with their parents and even help them with food in the hungry years. They live in pairs, from year to year they return to their previous place of residence, to their native nests. So it is quite justified when a stork with a baby is mentioned in legends and beliefs, proverbs and sayings. He embodies the warmth and love of Home, Family, Life.
Stork - a bird of peace and goodness
As we have already seen, many good and bright beliefs are associated with storks. In Moldavian legends, the bird saved the defenders of one of the fortresses when they were surrounded by Turkish invaders. People hiding behind the walls were exhausted from thirst and hunger. The brushes of grapes brought by the birds gave strength to the brave Moldovan soldiers, and they repulsed the enemy and defended the lives of their loved ones. That is why the stork with a bunch of grapes in its beak became the emblem of the wines of this southern state. And the paintings in which the flying stork carries a baby are also often found in folk art, and not only in Moldova. It is believed that if a bird pair built a nest near the house, it means that great luck will visit people: the family living there will be happy, and their life will be abundant. “The stork on the roof is peace on earth,” old people said. Because it has long been depicted on the arms of many cities of Ukraine, Belarus, Russia. Remember the famous song of the ensemble "Pesnyary" about Belarus. In it, the main character also became a stork - a symbol of the motherland, a peaceful life filled with joy. And touching and funny pictures “Stork with a baby” can often be seen on signs of maternity hospitals and maternity clinics, greeting cards, and books for children. This is a kind of amulets, patrons and protectors of motherhood and childhood.
This is how a wise and kind bird combined in the human mind with the most important and best manifestations of life.