Ancient ✦ Wisdom ✦ Atlas

Motif

bird as emblem of conjugal fidelity

bird_as_emblem_of_conjugal_fidelity

A motif of the Sacred Love and Longing family, within the sub-family Faithful Spouse. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.

1 occurrences

1 traditions

roman

  • The Metamorphoses of Ovid, Books VIII-XV EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION.; lines 7108-7175 confidence: high

    The male kingfisher was said to remain constant after his mate's death; the sea was thought calm while the female sat, giving rise to the phrase 'Halcyon days.'

    The male kingfisher is said to refuse another mate after his mate's death, making the bird an emblem of conjugal affection.

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