The Egg Keeper

The woman holds a precious egg in her hand. There is something mysterious and miraculous about an egg – outside the shell is both hard and fragile, and inside is the promise of new life, a new beginning. The bird hovering next to the egg emphasizes this amazing transformation! For millennia, across many cultures throughout the world, the egg has been a powerful symbol – representing the earth, fertility and renewal. Long before it was adopted to symbolize the resurrection in the Christian Easter tradition, ancient people, from as far apart as India, Egypt, Greece and West Africa, believed the world was created by a ‘cosmic egg’. Eggs have inspired myths and folklore as well as superstitions – shells should be crushed to avoid bad luck, a bride breaking an egg would ensure fertility. The birds fluttering around the woman bring vitality and movement. The malachite sunbird is often depicted in African folklore as a positive omen or spiritual messenger. The black bird perched on her hand is a starling. In Christianity starlings symbolize divine intervention and the importance of community. In Asian cultures starlings are omens of good luck and prosperity. Overhead fly sacred ibis – a bird that features prominently in Ancient Egyptian mythology – it was linked to the god Thoth and ensured safe passage between the worlds of the living and the dead. The landscape behind the woman tells us it is Spring – a time of renewal, rebirth, regeneration and new beginnings. The flowers on her head and the ‘field of flowers’ within her dress celebrate the beauty of nature. It’s a beautiful day, life feels good and hope persists…. no matter what else may be happening in the world. “I am thankful that in a troubled world no calamity can prevent the return of spring.” Helen Keller This signed, limited edition print is delivered rolled into a tube, ready for stretching and/or framing. Free worldwide shipping. Size: 800mm x 800mm Limited Edition of 25 Fine Art Prints.