THE EAGLE

Detail from Hamsa Hand, Abstract head of eagle, Floral series, Ink on paper, May-Bell Bareket

The Eagle 
The Eagle can easily be considered to be the king of the sky. With its exceptional vision the eagle is a master when it comes to accuracy and timing.  It is also one of the most high-flying birds in the world. These attributes of strength, courage and sharpness has made it one of the oldest symbols  and around the world, the eagle has been adopted as an emblem.

The Eagle in Heraldry
​Since ancient times the eagle has been associated with strength and power as seen in many coats of arms and in heraldry, where the double-headed eagle symbol also often features. 

Examples of heraldic eagles, from Hugo Gerard Ströhl's Heraldischer Atlas

The origins of heraldry can be traced back to old times where warriors decorated their shields with different patterns and mythological motifs.
​
Due to the need to distinguish participants swiftly and easily in combat, heraldry emerged and the different distinguishing items were used on shields, banners and surcoats ("coats of arms"). You can read more here about  the double-headed eagle which was a common heraldic item that was also used on chandeliers in Ashkenazi synagogues.

​Many political entities across the world today, use an eagle in their official emblems, for example in the Great Seal of the United States of America.
The symbol of the eagle is however older than heraldry itself and can be traced back to ancient Egypt, to Greek mythology and ancient Rome and to the Judeo-Christian scriptures. 
​
With its ability to fly high, the eagle is also spiritually symbolic in that it can rise in some sense, above the material world. In my Hamsa Hand artworks and Hamsa Hand prints I use the eagle as it also symbolizes divine and spiritual protection, and is thought to bring courage and wisdom. 

The Great Seal of the United States of America.

The Origins of the Eagle Symbol in Egypt
The ancient Egyptians worshiped the mythological bird of Egypt called the Bennu which later became known as the Phoenix in the Greek legends. The Egyptian Bennu was a phoenix-like bird that was linked with the sun, creation, and rebirth and is described as resembling an eagle with beautiful red and gold feathers.

The ancient Egyptians depicted the Bennu as a heron, and considered it to be the sacred bird of Heliopolis, city of the Sun where it only came back to Heliopolis to die and be reborn as it's actual home was in the Arabian desert.
Bennu was associated with the Egyptian Sun God Ra and with Osiris, God of the Underworld. Bennu symbolises rebirth, because of its ability to rise from its ashes. To the ancient Egyptians it also symbolized wealth and fertility. 

Horus the god of the Sky
Horus was one of the most important gods and he was strongly identified with a falcon. Usual depictions of Horus are of  a falcon-headed man or as a bird.
​For example, the hieroglyphic representation of Horus was as a bird, however Horus is also sometimes depicted as an eagle with wide-swept wings on objects such as on ceremonial necklaces that was worn by some Pharaohs.

As a god of the sky, the Eye of Horus also has a special significance and you can read more about the Eye symbol that i also use in my Hamsa Hand art in this article.

A phoenix depicted in a book of legendary creatures by FJ Bertuch (1747–1822)

The Phoenix In Greek Mythology.
In Greek mythology, the Phoenix is the symbol of immortality and resurrection.
The phoenix is associated with Apollo who was also the Sun god. The name "Phoenix" is Greek for "red," and in this way the mythological bird is connected to fire and the sun. The phoenix is said to resemble an eagle or a peacock 

The Eagle in Greek Mythology
The ancient Greeks also regarded the eagle as a sacred emblem of Zeus who was thought to be the god of the sky and god of thunder. Zeus was also the king of the gods of Mount Olympus. The Roman equivalent of Zeus is Jupiter.
The eagle was thought to run errands for Zeus, as a messenger, and Zeus is quite often identified with the eagle and even taking on the eagles form.

The Rape of Ganymede, (1611) by Rubens

​The eagle is tied to Zeus in much of the Greco-Roman literature.

​As  Ovid writes in his 'Metamorphoses' in his account of the mythological story of the abduction of the beautiful young shepherd Ganymede, the story explains that Zeus in the form of an eagle abducted Ganymede to serve as cup-bearer in Olympus.

• “[Jupiter] found something he preferred to be rather than what he was. But not just any bird would do, only the eagle…” (Met. 10.155)"

The Eagle symbol in Judaism 
​In my Hamsa Hand art i love using the symbols of the eye, the fish and the dove as well as the eagle which is the most prominent bird in the Torah.  In Hebrew the word for eagle is 'Nesher'  however some suggest that a nesher is more likely a griffon vulture. The symbol however is significant in that God saved the Israelites from Egypt '..on the wings of the eagle'.

Psalmists often refer to God in the imagery with attributes of an eagle, for example in Psalm 103:5:

• "Who satisfieth thine old age with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle."
  

In Psalm 91:1-4 God is referred to as an eagle;

• “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. ”
  

​

Native American culture
The majestic eagle and its features of strength, power, vision and acuity has shown its symbolic presence in many cultures and religions, from ancient mythologies to the Roman empire. The spiritual nature of the eagle was also used in Native American culture as Native American Indians were a deeply spiritual people.

The Native Americans  told their narratives, thoughts, ideas and their dreams from generation to generation by using different symbols and signs such as the eagle symbol. For the Native Americans, the eagle symbolized courage, bravery, wisdom and strength and it served as a messenger of prayers to the Creator - the Great Spirit. The eagle itself became a symbol of the Great Spirit because it sees all things from above.

Native American Eagle Dancer

The eagle was associated with balance due to its ability to live in two realms - that of the spirit and that of the realm of the Earth. Since there were many tribes of Native American Indians it is however not possible to generalize the most common meaning of the Eagle symbol or pattern. 

The wings of an eagle also represents the balance needed between male and female, each one dependent upon the strengths and abilities of the other.
Among the Cherokee tribe, a dance called the Eagle Dance represents strength and power.
Many native headdresses are also made of eagle feathers as each feather on the headdress represents an honor or incident of bravery.

Images of eagles and their feathers are used on many tribal logos as symbols of the Native American Indian. It is thought to be the highest honour to be given an eagle feather and of all the feathers, the Golden Eagle feather was the most coveted and the most significant, generating a lot of respect from other members of the tribe.

Today it is illegal to possess, use or sell eagle feathers by federal law—a policy that is meant to deter hunters from poaching wild eagles for their feathers or body parts, however Native Americans who are members of federally recognized tribes can obtain a permit under the Federally Recognized Tribal List Act of 1994 to gain access to golden eagles and bald eagles for traditional and ceremonial use.

There is much more to learn about the eagle symbol as this article is not exhaustive. You can read about the double-headed eagle in my blog post and explore the other symbolic elements that i use in my Hamsa Hand art and that you can find in my Hamsa Hand prints

Hamsa Hand, Hebrew letters series, Ink on paper, May-Bell Bareket