Pelican in Piety
The symbol of the mother pelican feeding her little babies is rooted in an ancient legend.
The legend was that in time of famine, the mother pelican wounded herself,
striking her breast with the beak to feed her young with her blood to prevent starvation.
Another version of the legend was that the mother fed her dying young
with her blood to revive them from death, but in turn lost her own life.
A mother sacrificing herself for her young.
In early Christianity the Pelican-in-Piety was adapted to symbolize our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Glass art window from Skien Church in Norway.
In emblem books dating from the 1600's the Pelican In Piety symbol
was frequently used to portray moral guidance, religious inspiration,
and of course, a symbol of Love.
The character ascribed to the pelican is nearly as fabulous as that of the phoenix.
From a clumsy, gluttonous water-bird, it was by the growth of legends
transformed into a mystical emblem, with a far removed likeness of a real pelican.
Above is an example out of a book from 1659.
A Pelican ~ "For Mine Own."
The image above; the mother pelican is sacrificing everything for her family.
As a symbol, it is a wonderful way to cherish a mother figure.
Our wax seal pendant has a Latin motto "Pandite" which means "Open Wide".
The pelican is extending her wings wide open as she strikes her
breast with her beak until she bleeds, all to feed her babies.
The antique wax seal we used when making the pendant dates to
the year 1909, and it originates from Birmingham, England.
Live and die for those we love.
A symbol of love, sacrifice and devotion.
The legend was that in time of famine, the mother pelican wounded herself,
striking her breast with the beak to feed her young with her blood to prevent starvation.
Another version of the legend was that the mother fed her dying young
with her blood to revive them from death, but in turn lost her own life.
A mother sacrificing herself for her young.
In early Christianity the Pelican-in-Piety was adapted to symbolize our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Glass art window from Skien Church in Norway.
In emblem books dating from the 1600's the Pelican In Piety symbol
was frequently used to portray moral guidance, religious inspiration,
and of course, a symbol of Love.
The character ascribed to the pelican is nearly as fabulous as that of the phoenix.
From a clumsy, gluttonous water-bird, it was by the growth of legends
transformed into a mystical emblem, with a far removed likeness of a real pelican.
Above is an example out of a book from 1659.
A Pelican ~ "For Mine Own."
The image above; the mother pelican is sacrificing everything for her family.
As a symbol, it is a wonderful way to cherish a mother figure.
Our wax seal pendant has a Latin motto "Pandite" which means "Open Wide".
The pelican is extending her wings wide open as she strikes her
breast with her beak until she bleeds, all to feed her babies.
The antique wax seal we used when making the pendant dates to
the year 1909, and it originates from Birmingham, England.
Live and die for those we love.
A symbol of love, sacrifice and devotion.