Hen and Rooster

Hen

Since She lays so many eggs, Hen represents fertility in many cultures. Because She gathers her chicks under her wings for protection, Hen has also come to symbolize maternal care. In addition, the Bantu regarded Her to be the Conductor of Souls to the After Life.

Rooster (Cockerel, Cock)

Since Rooster crows at dawn, many cultures viewed Him as a representative of the Sun. In Japan and China, Rooster warded off evil spirits. For the Celts, He drove away the hidden powers of the night. In Rome, Rooster, as the Bird of Mercury (God of merchants), called people to open their businesses for the new day. Living in the Underworld, Fjalarr, the Red Cock, will wake the Norse Heroes for their last great battle (Ragnarok).

Only the Tibetans did not see Rooster in a positive light. For them, He represented materialism. As One of the Three Animals on their Wheel of Life, He enticed people with greed.

Red Junglefowl: Change the Status Quo

The gloriously coloured ancestor of the Domestic Chicken, Red Junglefowl is from the forests of South and Southeast Asia. Wary and shy, He prefers life there in the underbrush where He is safe. A nimble flier, Red Junglefowl will escape from a Predator by chimneying (flying upwards in a circle) through in an opening in the forest.

Life for Red Junglefowl revolves around establishing his place in the Flock. As a Chick, He spars with the other Males while Female Chicks spar with each other. Later He will spar with the winning Females. Every place in Red Junglefowls flock is earned. However when He perceives weaknesses in any of the other Birds, He challenges Them.

The most abundant Bird in the world, Domestic Chicken is even more prolific than people. First domesticated in the Indus River Valley between 3200 and 2500 BCE, Domestic Chicken spread to Persia and Mesopotamia, finally reaching Egypt in 1500 BCE and China by 1400 BCE. The reason for Chicken’s popularity was his ability to fight well. (Cockfighting once had religious overtones.)

An important aspect of Red Junglefowl’s life is defining his place in the social pecking order of his Flock. Constantly vying for leadership, each Bird knows when to fight, when to back off, and when to stop. In each case, Red Junglefowl ably demonstrates the many aspects of competition. Never settling for the status quo, He challenges it. Just remember like Red Junglefowl to back off when your endeavours seem futile.