The Bird Of Paradise
Bird spirits as animals totems can assist humankind in matters of acquiring higher knowledge and wisdom. They are symbols of strength, freedom and unity with all fellow creatures. When the bird of paradise appears it may appear as a metaphor to someone with extravagant and elaborate thoughts. It can also be an indication of lightness, closeness to God and removal from worldly concerns.
When you admire something like the beautiful display of the bird of paradise and watch his far less colourful mate inspecting him, do you ever ask yourself: ‘Why is it that nature adorns so many male birds with colourful plumages and the ability to sing and dance, while the female of the same type has to make do with dowdy brown feathers, remaining mousy and quiet I the background? The answer is a very simple one. Because new life cannot be created through the males of any species in the animal kingdom, to enable any one of them to take part in ensuring the survival of their species, all males of breeding age feel the urge to attract a female to themselves.
As part of the Great Mother of Life, in all animal species the female alone has the wisdom, that is the instinctive knowledge of who is the right mating partner for her, to bring the best possible offspring into being. This ensures that the evolution of each species progresses in accordance as it should. The Great Designer and Architect of all life makes it up in many difrent ways to the males that they have to play the second fiddle to the star attraction in the magnificent spectacle of procreation, verily the greatest show on Earth.
To show that the male is loved no less than his partner, in most bird species he has been endowed with flamboyant plumage and a special ability to strut his stuff to impress, court and woo the lady of this dreams with his singing and in some cases dancing. Whenever an opportunity for it arises, this allows the male to practise his art whole-heartedly by serenading and displaying himself to her in all his splendour. Some of this typical male behaviour can be observed in all species – including the human one.
As the female is the one through whom life is created and she is its main nurturer and protector, she has no need for any kind of special costumes and showmanship. Her requirements are quite the opposite to those of the male. To make it as difficult as possible for potential predators to find and devour her and her young, she is wisely clothed in feathers of a kind that permit her to virtually disappear in the undergrowth. Equipped with her camouflage clothing, whenever danger threatens she can hide herself and her brood by covering them with her wings.
Recommended Viewing:
[*=center]The Bird of Paradise