After reading the news a Heron visited 10 Downing Street on 28th May, 2015, I thought I’d have a little look around the web and see what I could find on the symbolism of the Heron and if anything was relevant to the present time. Here’s a look at some of what I found and the original story from the Daily Mail which shows the Heron in Downing Street, I’ll leave it to you to decide if and how it might be relevant now.
To the Celts, the heron is Creyr, the taker of life or the bringer of it. As the Teutonic peoples saw the stork bringing babies, the Celts saw this as done by Creyr. Images of the heron, as protector, are common in Celtic art. The symbol was put on shields as their belief was if you saw a heron, you were going to die; so they made sure their enemies saw one.
http://rainydaythought.blogspot.co.uk/2008/06/great-blue-heron.html
A heron’s call is the cry of the sacred Benu-bird (shown at left) that announced the beginning of time in an ancient Egyptian creation myth. The Benu-bird was associated with the Egyptian calendar and the idea of cyclical renewal. A heron hieroglyph represents the sun-god Ra.
http://dallasegrets.org/?page_id=116
“…the heron is a teacher in the area of domesticity too. It’s all in the nesting. Even though it’s fiercely independent, the heron makes concessions when it comes to making way for its offspring. Building a home is a matter of teamwork for herons. Both the male and the female are equally engaged in making the nest, and preparing for their progeny. There’s a lesson there. The most capable and staunchly independent among us must occasionally concede – some areas of life require a partnership. Further, when that partnership is formed, it’s a good idea to take equal share of the responsibilities. Most importantly, the heron illustrates that a partnership can flourish with both parties make an equal investment in their futures.”
http://www.whats-your-sign.com/meaning-of-the-heron.html
Fables – Translated by George Fyler Townsend
Aesop – The Frogs Asking For A King
THE FROGS, grieved at having no established Ruler, sent ambassadors to Jupiter entreating for a King. Perceiving their simplicity, he cast down a huge log into the lake. The Frogs were terrified at the splash occasioned by its fall and hid themselves in the depths of the pool. But as soon as they realized that the huge log was motionless, they swam again to the top of the water, dismissed their fears, climbed up, and began squatting on it in contempt. After some time they began to think themselves ill-treated in the appointment of so inert a Ruler, and sent a second deputation to Jupiter to pray that he would set over them another sovereign. He then gave them an Eel to govern them. When the Frogs discovered his easy good nature, they sent yet a third time to Jupiter to beg him to choose for them still another King. Jupiter, displeased with all their complaints, sent a Heron, who preyed upon the Frogs day by day till there were none left to croak upon the lake.
http://literature.org/authors/aesop/fables/chapter-51.html
HERON: A symbol of contemplation, vigilance, divine wisdom, and inner quietness. Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, employed a Heron as one of her divine messengers; symbol of righteousness; Herons are images of the eternal struggle of good against evil.Ancient Greece
http://www.heraldryclipart.com/symbolism/h.html
It could also be a sign the hero’s have indeed landed and that wind power and renewable energy are going to be at the top of the agenda very soon.
Hero of Alexandria (Greek: Ἥρων ὁ Ἀλεξανδρεύς, Heron ho Alexandreus; also known as Heron of Alexandria c. 10 – c. 70 AD)
“Hero published a well recognized description of a steam-powered device called an aeolipile (sometimes called a “Hero engine”). Among his most famous inventions was a windwheel, constituting the earliest instance of wind harnessing on land.[3][4] He is said to have been a follower of the atomists. Some of his ideas were derived from the works of Ctesibius.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero_of_Alexandria
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