5 Grey Wagtails 1928

Archibald Thorburn painted these five Grey Wagtails in 1928. The presence of birds, especially near water, often symbolizes the soul's journey and purification. Consider the ancient Egyptian belief, where birds represented the human soul departing the body. Similarly, in various cultures, birds are seen as messengers between the earthly and spiritual realms, carrying prayers and conveying divine messages. The water where they are gathered has always been associated with purification and renewal. The depiction of wagtails by the water evokes a deep sense of longing and connection to the natural world, echoing motifs from antiquity and persisting through centuries. These archetypal images tap into our collective memory, stirring emotions and subconscious associations that transcend time. It highlights the enduring power of symbols to convey profound emotional and spiritual truths that resonate across cultures.