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Vernal Equinox
"There's a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I'm too tough for him,
I say, stay in there, I'm not going
to let anybody see
you."
~ The Bluebird, Charles Bukowski (1920-1994)
Let the bluebirds be free! Spring is here (or is certainly on its way)!
The Vernal Equinox is seen as time of renewal, an invitation to look for signs of the changing seasons. As the world awakens, you may even spot a bluebird in your neck of the woods, a cheerful reminder of nature’s beauty and the promise of brighter and warmer days ahead.
Blue is actually a relatively uncommon color in birds. Compared with widespread hues such as brown, black, and green, bright blue appears in far fewer bird families. A few familiar examples include bluebirds, jays (such as blue jays and scrub jays), kingfishers, certain tanagers, fairy-wrens, rollers, and the indigo bunting. Even so, birds that appear strongly blue represent only a small fraction of the roughly 10,700 bird species on Earth—one reason they often feel especially striking when we see them.
Perhaps because of this rarity and brilliance, blue birds have long captured the human imagination. The bluebird of happiness appears across folklore and literature as a symbol of joy, good fortune, and renewal. Often portrayed as a gentle harbinger of happiness, it reminds us to pause and appreciate the present moment and the simple beauty of the natural world around us.
This beautiful blue and hyacinth coloured tartan was inspired by the vibrant wildlife of Florida, a place teeming with life in the spring. Its rich blend of colors reflects the delicate hues of the pine hyacinth (Clematis baldwinii), the bright, poppy-like blossoms of the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa), Florida’s most common native cactus, and the striking plumage of the Florida Scrub Jay, the only bird unique to the state. Tweet! Tweet! 💙 💜 💛 🤍 🖤 🐦 🐦 🐦🌷🌸 🏵️
The concept of a "blue bird of happiness" was introduced in Maurice Maeterlinck's play The Blue Bird (1908). The bird in that play is not actually a bluebird, but merely a bird that is blue (which is symbolically significant in the play). As a result of this play, bluebirds became a widely recognized symbol of happiness and cheer, and have been used as such by numerous songwriters.
Songs about the bluebird of happiness span a range of genres and periods, reflecting the universal appeal of this symbol. Here are a few notable examples:
"Bluebird of Happiness" by Jan Peerce (1945): This song, performed by the renowned tenor Jan Peerce, is one of the most direct references to the metaphor of the bluebird representing happiness. The lyrics speak of finding the bluebird of happiness and the journey one must undertake to discover true joy.
"Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz (1939): While not explicitly about the bluebird, this iconic song performed by Judy Garland mentions the bluebird as a symbol of dreams and wishes that come true, singing, "Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me."
"Bluebird" by Paul McCartney & Wings (1973): Featured on the album Band on the Run, "Bluebird" includes references to freedom and happiness, using the bluebird as a symbol of love and serenity.
"Bluebird" by Buffalo Springfield (1967): This song, written by Stephen Stills, metaphorically uses the bluebird to express themes of love, freedom, and the search for happiness.
"Bluebird" by Sara Bareilles (2010): From her album Kaleidoscope Heart, Bareilles' "Bluebird" is a poignant ballad about letting go and finding oneself again, with the bluebird symbolizing hope and renewal.
"Bluebirds Over the Mountain" by Ritchie Valens (1958): Though more of a love song, it uses the imagery of bluebirds flying over the mountain as a metaphor for longing and anticipation.
For more on the wildflowers of Spring in the tartan designer, Amanda Payne's neighborhood, click the Florida Scub Jay!