The Mud Wing Through the Lens of 比翼雙飛 an Ancient Chinese Love Story Myth (Newsletter No. 49)
(My mother’s idea, if you couldn’t tell, originally written in 2019)
比翼雙飛 Love Birds (Literally, a pair of birds flying close together)
From the anthology Classics of Mountains and Seas 山海經
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Once upon a time there were two birds that could not fly. One bird only had a left wing and the second bird only had a right wing. They met and became whole, one pair of wings and hearts beating in unison.
Original : 「比翼鳥在其東，其為鳥青、赤，兩鳥比翼。一曰在南山東。」「其狀如鳧而一翼一目，相得乃飛，名曰蠻蠻。」
Because of this inspiration I always have the mud wing in pairs. Whether you wear both of them yourself, like in the double wing pendant, or Nike of Samothrace Earrings, or split the pair between two loved ones. Of any love— Familial, Romantic, Friendship, Creative Partnership… the one(s) who beats in unison with you.
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