"The Bluebird of Happiness" seems to be a wide-spread symbol across several cultures, representing "hope, love, renewal, and the beauty of life". References to it can be found in old mythology and folklore from various corners of the world, as well as in modern popular culture.
This little blue glass bird used to belong to my paternal grandmother. I remember it sitting in one of the windows of her glazed veranda. Nowadays it lives in my bedroom window.
In Maurice Maeterlinck's 1908 stage play named The Blue Bird, two children, Tyltyl and Mytyl, are sent out by the fairy Bérylune to search for the Bluebird of Happiness. Returning home empty-handed, the children see that the bird has been in a cage in their house all along and they create great happiness for another by giving their pet bird to the sick neighbor child. (Source: Wikipedia)
How sweet. I love blue glass too.
ReplyDeleteJenny, so do I.
DeleteThere was a movie called The Bluebird in 1940. Then another one with Shirley Temple. And I seem to remember one with Elizabeth Taylor, but think I must be delusional on that one.
ReplyDeleteGiny, I don't think I ever heard of any of them.
DeleteI've never heard the term or about the play until now, reading about here on your blog. The little blue glass swallow is pretty and definitely one to keep!
ReplyDeleteMeike, I've only heard the expression but had no context for it so did a bit of googling.
DeleteA beautiful reminder that happiness is often closer than we think
ReplyDeleteRo, I've always liked it even without associating it with any special story.
DeleteI recall my mother having a similar blue bird made of glass - I think a souvenir from Murano in Italy.
ReplyDeleteAddy, Murano is famous for it's glassware, isn't it. I have always assumed this one to be from one of our Swedish glassworks, but as there is no mark or signature on it at all, I don't really know.
DeleteYour blue bird is such a sweet memento. It reminded me that we had one once. I wonder what happened to it. I like the story of the Blue bird of Happiness.
ReplyDeleteJanice, that's a reminder of the fragility of both glass and happiness - and of our memories too, perhaps!
DeleteI had no idea there was a story associated with it. But I do have a ceramic blue bird of happiness here on my desk above my monitor. I think it brings cheer! I love love love blue glass too! Mmm, if only I didn't already have so much stuff!!
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I have a couple of other blue birds as well, but for some reason it's this one that I primarily associate with "the blue bird of happiness". Possibly connected to something I was told way back in the past - but that I can't recall. Only the expression itself somehow lingers at the back of my mind.
DeleteVery pretty little bird, I collect little fish ornaments and I think from memory there was a movie called "The blue bird"? many years ago.
ReplyDeleteAmy, I have found references to at least two classic Blue Bird films, 1940 and 1976. I haven't seen either of them, though (as far as I can recall!)
Deleteits a beautiful bird and also a treasure from the past
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra. Yes, it is both!
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