Illustration til "Storkene" i H.C. Andersen, "Eventyr og Historier", Bind 1 1870 - 1873

H. P. Hansen created this illustration for Hans Christian Andersen's "The Storks." Here, the gathering of storks atop a roof is rich with symbolism. Since antiquity, the stork has been a potent symbol of childbirth and domesticity. They return yearly to the same nests, thus embodying constancy and the cyclical nature of life. The posture of these birds is striking; wings spread, they evoke the "epiphany" motif, reminiscent of angels announcing divine messages. Similarly, the raised wings, especially when seen in religious art, signal a moment of profound revelation. Yet, unlike the celestial messengers, the storks are firmly grounded. This groundedness connects to a deeper, almost primal connection to our ancestral past. This image taps into our collective memory, stirring emotions tied to home, family, and the rhythms of nature. The stork is not merely a bird; it's a carrier of hope, rebirth, and the enduring cycle of existence.