I'm king of the birds!
Ever noticed how, just like everything else, there are trends in Christmas cards? I‘m very pleased that robins are back!
Robins have a long association with the winter solstice beginning before Christian times, as does the wren. "The robin and the wren, God's cock and hen" have been linked in mythology and Christian lore throughout Europe. In ancient times, midwinter was a time of fear, death and superstition. The sun was waning, the old year was dying.
Of the two birds, the wren's heritage is more ancient. The wren cult appears to have its origins in Saturnalia, ancient Rome's most important fertility festival. During the weeklong orgy starting on 17 December the role of master and slave was reversed, moral restrictions removed and rules of etiquette ignored. The wren was the king of birds in Greek mythology, therefore killing one at this time of year represented the end of the old season and start of the new. The wren mythology made its way to Bronze Age Britain, where woe betide anyone who dared harm these sacred Druidic birds of prophecy.
Strange then, that one of the oldest elaborate folk rituals, once widespread in Britain and still surviving in Ireland and parts of Europe, is the St Stephen's Day wren hunt. Perhaps this is because the wren is also associated with deception and treachery. The most widely held belief is that a wren alerted the guards when St Stephen was trying to escape imprisonment, causing the death of the first Christian martyr. But an even older Druid story tells how the wren won a competition to determine who was king of the birds by cheating! Whoever flew the highest would rule. The wren hid in the back of the eagle which reached greater heights than any other. When the exhausted eagle could climb no further, the wren emerged rested and soared even higher.
On 26 December youths ‘wren boys’ armed with sticks beat hedgerows until a wren was caught and killed. The bird was hung from the top of an elaborately decorated pole and paraded to every house in the locality. A feather would be plucked and given to each householder as a protection against witches. Today, mostly around Cork, the tradition is for children to go "hunting the wren". It’s ‘corpse’ (usually an effigy), is put on a pole, or sometimes in a basket. "The wren boys" go from home to home displaying the dead bird and begging the woman of the house for money "to bury the wren." In times gone by, the least generous house could have the bird buried under their doorstep.
A variation of the ancient Wren hunt is believed to have involved putting a Robin and a Wren in a small cage where they would fight. Perhaps this ties into other folklore in which the wren represented the old year and the robin the New Year coming in. Depending on the tale, this made the birds either friends or foe. The Robin is also associated with the Wren in stories such as Cock Robin and Jennie Wren – harking back to the idea that they were the males and females of a single species.
Man's best bird friend spreads winter cheer.
There is plenty of folklore around robins, probably due to their curiosity and friendliness around people. Throughout history and across many countries the robin has been linked with charity, compassion, good luck, bad luck, fire and death. Many stories attempt to explain the origin of his red breast, the most common associated with the birth and death of Christ. When Jesus was crucified on the cross, a robin flew down and removed a thorn from the crown on his head (or sang to him) to relieve his suffering. The blood of Jesus stained his throat and chest, and ever since Robin’s breast has been red.
In a similar tale, a robin flew into the stables where the newborn Jesus and Mary slept. The bird noticed the fire had almost gone out, and while fanning the embers, singed his breast feathers. Mary blessed him for his courage, and when his feathers grew back they remained red in recognition.
An alternate legend has it that its breast was scorched fetching water for souls in Purgatory. Just a few of the many good deeds robins are said to have accomplished. Acts of kindness by robins also featured in the poems of Wordsworth, Blake and other romantic poets. According to the Babes in the Wood folktale and poem, robins were believed to cover the dead with moss, leaves and flowers.
Robin’s special connection with winter could be because they are most visible right now; the shortage of food makes them tame and they puff out their feathers against the cold.
Is this why robins are associated with death in pagan beliefs? In Celtic traditions, now is the time when the Oak King triumphs over the Holly King who represents the death and darkness that has ruled since Samhain (Halloween). At the Winter Solstice, the Oak King is reborn and begins a new cycle of life and lightness. The killing of the wren ties in here: the wren is the King of the Waning Year, slain by Robin Redbreast, the new King of the Waxing Year.
More than any other bird, the robin is now part of Christmas today. Just look at all the ornaments and cards displaying robins! It’s believed that robin got its name from the red coats worn by Victorian Postmen. When Christmas cards became popular, they often featured postmen, known then as ‘robins’. Robins were originally called ruddocks but the new name better conveyed their sprightly friendly nature. That did not stop people killing the birds to obtain real feathers for decorating cards.
Finally – if you’re keen to ward off bad karma in 2010 – make a wish on the first robin you see before it flies away. And remember, it’s always bad luck to kill a robin or destroy its nest!
Of course there are many more birds connected with Yuletide, but if you go into your garden, or down to the Lagan, you might just spy Cock Robin and Jenny Wren in all their glory. (plus six geese a-laying, swans, turtledoves etc)
See below for some robin and wren songs of old.
Cock Robin and Jennie Wren – This is about 30 verses long but the gist of it is that robin is crooning to that sly seductress Jenny Wren when he is shot with an arrow. A court is convened and a variety of birds are brought to the witness stand, but nobody knows a thing. Jenny comes to court, and just as the wise old owl judge is about to hang all the witnesses, Cupid shoots an arrow and confesses to wounding, but not killing, robin, who is revived by a repentant Jenny. For the whole soap opera, go to: http://fairytales4u.com/fable/cockrobi.htm
The Wren Song The wren, the wren, the king of all birds, St. Stephen's Day was caught in the furze, Although he was little his honour was great, Jump up me lads and give him a treat.
Chorus:
Up with the kettle and down with the pan,
And give us a penny to bury the wren.
As I was going to Killenaule, I met a wren upon the wall.
I took me stick and knocked him down,
And brought him in to Carrick Town.
Droolin, Droolin, where’s your nest?
Tis in the bush that I love best
In the tree the holly tree,
Where all the boys do follow me.
We followed the wren three miles or more,
Three mile or more three miles or more.
At six o’clock in the morning.
I have a little box under me arm, Under me arm under me arm. I have a little box under me arm, A penny or tuppence would do it no harm.
The Wren She Lies in Care’s Bed In this old Scots song the wren represents winter and the robin summer. As winter dies with the coming of the New Year, robin cares for the ailing wren.
The wren lies in her sickbed In much misery and pining When in came robin redbreast With breads in sugared water and wine Robin says, ‘will you sip this?” And you’ll belong to me No, not a drop, robin For it has come too late
YOUR WINTER BIRD SONGS VERY WELCOME!
Photos provided by RSPB and Lagan Valley Regional Park
A little bit of Christmas cheer
I always associated Halcyon Days with summer, balmy breezes, flowers blooming, people in summer clothes frolicking round the May Pole. But when I began researching birds associated with Christmas for this blog, I found out I was as wrong as could be. I also made a fascinating discovery.
It turns out Halcyon Days actually occur over the Christmas period, between the 14th and 27th of December to be exact. And this fortnight got its name from ancient Greece, when halcyon birds were supposed to bring days of peace, calm and tranquillity around the winter solstice.
The halcyon bird is no myth, but actually the European Kingfisher, symbol and denizen of Lagan Valley Regional Park!
According to the mythology, Halcyone was the daughter of Aeolus, god of the winds. She married Ceyx and the couple was blissfully happy until Ceyx’s brother died. Ceyx, certain the gods had turned against him, decided to sail to Ionia to consult the oracle of Apollo, god of prophecy, the sun, healing, poetry and music.
Halcyone was dead set against the trip, fearing disaster. She begged him not to leave her, but there was no talking Ceyx out of it. His ship didn’t get far before a terrible storm destroyed it; all on board drowned in the Aegean. No news of the wreck reached Halcyone, but when Ceyx did not return, she asked the gods for a dream to tell her what had happened.
In her dream, Ceyx appeared and confirmed her worst fears. Grief stricken, she hurried to the shore where she had watched him set sail. There, the waves delivered Ceyx’s body to her. Halcyone flung herself into the sea, but the gods, seeing her terrible grief, raised her and transformed the pair into beautiful blue Halcyon birds.
The ancient Greeks also had their own ideas about the nesting and breeding habits of kingfishers which we now know are not strictly accurate. The Greeks believed these birds mate each year at the start of winter and that the female constructs a nest of fish bones designed to float on the sea. She tends the nest for seven days with the solstice at the very center of this period. Aeolus kindly helps by keeping the winds away and the waters calm, so that his grandchildren are safe. Maybe in Greece, but can you imagine a Northern Irish winter without gales?!
The first known description of the Halcyon bird comes from Pliny the Elder, who in the first century described it as: ‘a small bird with a sea-blue back and a reddish breast, with white feathers on the neck and a long beak’.
Love the seasonal colour!
The European Kingfisher is found throughout Europe except the far north and in northern Africa and much of Asia. It lives near calm, slow moving fresh water, ideally where tall riverbanks provide nesting sites, and eats fish, amphibians and insects. Kingfishers nest in the spring. Interestingly, its North American cousin has the Latin name of Ceryle alcyon.
I hope you enjoy the Halcyon Days of Christmas in peace and tranquility. Why not spend a few along the Lagan looking for this colourful, if shy, seasonal bird? Happily, just in time for the solstice, a kingfisher has been spotted within sight of the Lock Keeper's Cottage. For the past week our own Halcyon bird has been a regular visitor to the canal, bringing peace, tranquility and colour.
To learn more about kingfishers¸ go to: http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/k/kingfisher/index.aspx
Sources: "Ceyx and Halcyone; or, The Halcyon Birds." Bulfinch Mythology Age of Fable: Stories of Gods and Heroes. Read more at Suite101: Alcyon – Bird of Peace and Calm: Halcyon Days Surround the Winter Solstice and Christmas | Suite101.com http://birds.suite101.com/article.cfm/alcyon_bird_of_peace_and_calm#ixzz0ZBf5gjJ0 Author: Rosemary Drisdelle.
Next blog: Find out who is the king of all birds and which bird has postal connections.
Photos provided by Lagan Valley Regional Park
Has your pre-Christmas panic set in yet? The mushrooming to-do list, the calendar crammed with obligations, the TV shows and magazines telling us how to give fantastic gifts and have the perfect home, decorations, food and table settings. Not forgetting the perfectly beautiful you for all those glitzy parties with your glamorous friends! It’s enough to make anyone feel inadequate…and stressed!
So right about now, a bit of mindfulness is the very thing to keep sane and focussed. And Lagan Valley Regional Park is the very place to practice it.
But first things first. What is mindfulness? It’s the big buzzword in mental wellbeing circles these days. Probably because it is simple and really works. Founded in Eastern meditation, mindfulness is based around taking a few minutes each day to stop fretting about the umpteen things you need to sort out ASAP and just be ‘in the moment’.
According to the experts, mindfulness can help you: -learn how your mind works
-release yourself from/change thinking habits that are stressful or get you down
-get in touch with a different way of knowing yourself and the world
-experience small beauties and pleasures around you that you’re usually too busy to see or appreciate, instead of thinking too much
-be kind to yourself; not wishing things were different or pushing to meet impossible goals
Giving the brain a break could mean stepping out for a short walk along the towpath, feeling your feet striding along in comfy shoes, the breeze on your face, then smelling the earthy scent of fallen leaves. Simply enjoying not being at the desk or queuing in Argos.
And as you stroll, run or cycle, notice what’s around: -the amazing amount of greenery even in December
-the low winter sun shining through bare branches and turning the Lagan silver
-the cushion of russet pine needles underfoot
-the mysterious rustlings and chirpings of the birds in the forests
The Park is gearing up for Christmas too, with a particularly colourful and rich crop of holly berries.
Mindfulness is proven to be very effective in boosting focus and concentration, coping with anxiety and fatigue, and is used to treat depression as it helps to manage difficulties. In fact, people who regularly practice it are more effective at work.
So now that it’s all starting to get on top of me, I plan to walk (very fast) away from the plastic singing Santas, the towers of biscuit tins, and the migraine inducing fake cinnamon aroma and lose myself in nature. In other words, ‘get the head showered’!
For more on mindfulness, check out the BBC Radio 4 December 1st edition of All in the Mind, now on iplayer at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00p2hny, or better still, the December events at Lagan Valley: www.laganvalley.co.uk
Coming up soon: Birds associated with Christmas (and I don’t mean turkeys or geese!)
JOLLY HOLLY PHOTOS PROVIDED BY LAGAN VALLEY REGIONAL PARK