Flight: The Secret Language of Birds in Art and Folklore

From the goldfinch in Raphael’s Madonna del Cardellino to the sacred ibis on an ancient Egyptian wall painting and the quetzal feathers of an Aztec headdress, birds have always held a special place in human culture and belief systems. But where did such symbolism come from? Why do we view some birds as special while others are comical? Flight examines 42 birds and the diverse roles they have played across civilizations. Each individual profile offers a fresh perspective on our feathered fri...