Thursday, April 19, 2012

Quail

Quail. . . I'm sure that's not a mythical creature you were expecting. . . .But Quail are known well just as much as a mythical creature as it is a real one.  Many cultures recognize Quail as an important mythical creature and all for different reasons.
In China, Quail is associated with the Phoenix because of its bird form, power and beauty.  In Taoist belief, the Quail is the Yang out of a yin yang.  (I don't know what its Yin would be).  In Japan they believe that the quail is the only bird created on earth, all other birds having descended from heaven.   Quails are believed to give people certain 'lucks' such as good living, and nourishment.

The different cultures named above are very few in comparison to all the many who believe Quail to be a powerful mythical creature.

13 comments:

  1. Do the Japanese consider that a good thing or a bad thing about the Quail?

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  2. fascinating--i have never heard this

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  3. I have never heard that the quail was anything like this. Great post!

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  4. How interesting...we have quail visiting our backyard every day and, before this, I just thought they were not-very-bright-birds (like turkeys).
    Rhia from Five Minute Piece for Inspiration (about #776 on A to Z list).

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    1. Well when they aren't the mythical kind, I'm pretty sure that assumption is correct.

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  5. So all birds come from Heaven... except the quail. Bummer for him!

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  6. ooh, interesting! so what sort of magic do they have? Shapeshifting?


    Elizabeth
    A to Z co-host

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    1. I don't think they are shape shifters. (unlike the Raven)

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  7. Oh, that's so cool! For my novel, I had to look up stuff about the yin yang, and in China (I THINK) it said they believe that the phoenix is yang and the dragon is yin. So the Empress would be represented with a phoenix and the Emperor by a dragon. It's really cool! Great Q word!

    So nice to meet you! Following along :)

    http://writeskatedream-jmckendry.blogspot.com

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    1. I do believe you are correct about the Dragon and Tiger. I have seen that a lot!

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