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The Lightning Bird in African Folklore

21/5/2016

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African Folklore: The Lightning Bird

The lightning bird is a mythical bird in the folklore and traditions of different peoples of South Africa, such as the Zulu, Pondo, and Xhosa people.  Sometimes it is called the impundulu, thewane, izulu, and also the inyoni yezulu.  It is supposed to have the ability to call up thunder and lightning with its talons and wings.

According to African folklore and tradition it is strongly associated with witchcraft. It is said to be a vampire bird that is often a servant, confidant, or a familiar of a witch, or witch doctor. The lightning bird cannot be killed by shooting or stabbing and it cannot be drowned or poisoned.  The only way it can be killed is by burning with fire if it can be caught, otherwise it is said to be immortal and outlives its masters. Legend says that it is inherited from mother to daughter in the family of the witch or witch doctor to whom it belongs and will do the bidding of its current master.  Read more

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The Mysterious Symbol of the Three Hares

13/5/2016

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  • Mysterious ancient symbol found through England, Europe, Middle East and China.
  • It is also used as a motif in heraldry, jewelry, ornaments, tattoos and other works of art.
  • There is a threefold rotational symmetry with each of the three ears being shared by two hares. The ears form a triangle that appears  at the centre of the circle, where, instead of there being six ears visible, there are only three, even though individually the hares all show two.
  • The symbol is similar to the triskelion the triquetra and the triple spiral, or triskele.
  • The Three Hares motif seems to have spread from the Far East westwards between 600 AD and 1500 AD.  
  • The Three Hares motif is found in a number of churches in some European countries.  In  Lyons, France the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière   and in Germany, the Paderborn Cathedral display excellent examples of the use of the motif.
  • The southwestern parts of England has the most examples and the Three Hares Trail can be followed to see them.  
  • Ancient German riddle - Three hares sharing three ears, Yet every one of them has two.
PictureThree Hares Gate - Photo by J.-H. Janßen - CC0
An ancient symbol The three hares is an ancient symbol that is found in many religious places, buildings and caves ranging from the British Isles, Germany, France and other parts of Europe to the Middle East and parts of China in the Far East.  In Britain the symbols are mostly architectural ornaments or found in church roofs and sometimes on ceilings of private homes.  In Europe they are found mostly in churches and synagogues.   It is also used as a motif in heraldry, jewelry, ornaments, tattoos and other works of art. It has been wrought in many different materials and can be thought of as a puzzle, a topological problem, or a visual challenge, and can be found in stone sculptures, wood carvings, paintings, drawings and metal work.  Read more


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Spirituality: The Whale totem

13/5/2016

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  • The Whale Totem symbolizes harmony and ‘Oneness’ with nature, the power and mystique of the sea, ancient wisdom, communication and communion.
  • The Whale Totem reminds us that the gifts of nature are precious and not to be taken for granted.
  • The Whale Totem also symbolizes inspiration and creativity. It reminds us that humans also have natural gifts that can actually enhance the natural world if only we choose to use them wisely
  • The Whale Totem symbolizes nurturing and protection of young and reminds us of our responsibilities to children.
  • The Whale Totem symbolizes living in harmony with each other.
  • The Whale Totem symbolizes grace, strength and endurance in moving through their environment and reminds us to tread lightly on the planet taking only what we need to get by.
  • It also symbolizes trust in intuition and knowing when to move on, telling us that for everything there is a season and a time for every purpose. It teaches us to trust the natural order.
  • There are many wonderful virtues and qualities that whales possess that would help a person evolve spiritually and in wisdom. 
  • Read more
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