Carolina eend 1771

Gerrit van den Heuvel captured this Carolina duck with watercolor and gouache sometime in the 18th century. Observe the bird’s opulent plumage. Its varied feathers bring to mind emblems of transformation and the soul's journey, reminiscent of feathered cloaks or deities adorned in plumes. Birds have always carried potent symbolism. They are messengers, or symbols of freedom, divinity, and the transition between worlds. Consider the feathered serpent, Quetzalcoatl, of Mesoamerican cultures, linking the earth and sky. Or even ancient Egyptian beliefs, where birds were associated with the soul's journey after death. The image of the Carolina duck taps into our collective memory, stirring a primal fascination. It is nature, yes, but also echoes the profound, subconscious recognition of nature's symbols. The duck is not just a duck; it's a carrier of cross-cultural dreams, desires, and fears. As this Carolina duck stands before us, it invites us to reflect on how nature's motifs have transcended time.