In insular Western European folkore and mythology, birds are heavily associated with
death and transformation. Many significant figures were said to not have
died, but rather have been transformed into various birds. Some examples
of this can be seen below:
| Blodeuwedd
| Owl
|
| Children of Lir
| Swans
|
| Eliwlod
| Eagle
|
| King Arthur
| Raven
|
| Llew Llaw Gyffes
| Eagle
|
There is avery old belief that the soul leaves the body like a bird
flying out of the man or woman who is dying. Within Cornish traditions, departed
souls are believed to be pisky, which is a term used for both the fairies
and moths.
