Bird Magic: Wisdom of the Ancient Goddess for Pagans & Wiccans - Sandra Kynes 2016
Flamingo: American Flamingo
The Profiles
American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber)
More than a funky lawn ornament, flamingos belong to one of the oldest families of birds and have a lineage that dates back at least thirty million years.73 This bird’s genus name, Phoenicopterus, comes from the Greek phoiniko-pteros, which means “crimson winged.” 74 In addition, its species name, ruber, means “red” in Latin.75 These names are in reference to the distinctive coloring of these birds, which ranges from pale pink to reddish.
The flamingo’s coloring is not exactly natural. It is caused by the carotenoids in the bird’s diet, without which its feathers would be white. In captivity, they have to be fed a special diet to keep their classic coloring. Flamingo chicks are born white or gray and do not develop pink feathers until they are about two years old and have consumed enough beta carotene—rich food. Also related to food is this bird’s unusual hooked beak, which is adapted for its unique method of feeding. Flamingos turn their heads upside down in the water and use their beaks as a filter, not unlike the baleen plates of certain whales, for collecting algae, small crustaceans, and fish.
The Creek and other Native American tribes of the southeastern United States used flamingo feathers as pendants on their smoking pipes. Flamingo feathers were also used for ornamentation on short cloaks. To the ancient Egyptians, the flamingo was a symbol of the sun and served as a hieroglyph for the color red. Because of their coloring and the fact that they often lived on volcanic lakes, these birds became associated with the phoenix and its power of transformation. According to the Upanishads, ancient Hindu texts, the flamingo was a symbol of the soul migrating from darkness to light. Along with storks, flamingos were depicted in cave paintings in southern Spain that date to between 6000 and 4000 BCE.76
Although the meat of this bird was not often eaten, the Romans considered its tongue a delicacy. Flamingo tongues, along with other avian morsels, were served as offerings to the goddess Minerva. Surrounding themselves with color, wealthy Romans adorned the walls of their gardens with paintings of flamingos. Two millennia later, the kitsch American lawn ornament, which got its start in the 1920s, came to symbolize bad taste.
Magical Workings
Associated with night magic, flamingo is linked with transformation from dark to light. Call on it for spellwork done just before dawn as well as when seeking illumination for events that may seem mysterious. It is also appropriate to grace an Imbolc altar with a flamingo as we move from the dark of the year toward spring. And, of course, at summer solstice it brings the essence of lighthearted summer fun.
As a bird of knowledge, flamingo can bring enlightening information that will lift your heart and soul. It can be instrumental when building community and stability in the home. Call on this bird to boost spells for attracting abundance. If you feel a strong affinity with flamingo, dare to put a plastic one in your garden. As an alternative, work images of this bird into your bathroom decor.
Make Connection
To connect with flamingo energy, dress your altar in all things pink and include a picture or figurine of this bird. Light a pink candle and use a blanket, piece of clothing, or anything pink that is large enough to wrap around your body. Gaze at the candle and then the image/figurine of flamingo. After a few minutes, close your eyes and meditate on the color, and then visualize a pink glow surrounding you. It is soft, warm, and comforting like the feathers of a flamingo. Enjoy the feeling of being nurtured by this unique and beautiful bird, and know that whenever you summon this sensation you can connect with flamingo.
Associations
Element(s): Air, water
Sabbat(s): Imbolc, Litha
Goddess: Minerva
Solar system: Sun
Bird Identification
American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber)
Also known as: Caribbean flamingo, greater flamingo
Size: 46 to 48 inches
Wingspan: 55 to 65 inches
Comparative size: Very large
Description: Long neck; long legs; webbed feet with three toes; mostly pink all over; pointed wings with black tips; heavy, hooked, down-curving bill with black tip; coloring ranges from pale pink to rosy pink to reddish
Range: Southern Florida, the Caribbean, and the Yucatan Peninsula
Habitat: Shallow coastal lagoons, inland waters, and mudflats
Eggs: White
Collective noun(s): A colony, a flamboyance, a flurry, or a stand of flamingos
73. Tim Harris, ed., National Geographic Complete Birds of the World (Washington, DC: National Geographic Society, 2009), 54.
74. Fraser and Gray, Australian Bird Names, 64.
75. Wells, 100 Birds and How They Got Their Names, 70.
76. Stephen Moss, A Bird in the Bush: A Social History of Birdwatching (London: Aurum Press, 2004), 27.