Depictions of Swans in World Myths
Presented by K. Christian McGuire
The beauty of the swan, its graceful neck
and lyrical song, has provided inspiration for many world cultures, from
ancient petroglyphs in North America and Finland to mosaics in Roman Africa.
As an agent of transformation it is generally first known to children
of the western european tradition through the story of Hans Christian
Anderson in which the ugly duckling who suffers abuse at every corner
grows up to be the most beautiful of all swans.
This presentation will touch
upon the swan in various world traditions with special emphasis on the story
of Leda and the Swan and how visual representations of this myth
itself has been transormed from ancient Rome to 20th century America.
Leda and the Swan
Greco-Roman
OTHER WORLD MYTHS
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 |
 |
India |
Transformation |
Bronze Age |
Copyright 2004 Grianeala Publishing