This is an originally designed handmade linocut print of a Sielulintu, or Soul Bird, from Finnish folklore including a white swan or snow goose with a wintery landscape inside its body. In Finnish folklore the Linnunraata, or Milky Way, is thought to be the celestial path of wintering birds as they make their way to their wintering home. As they migrate they also carry away souls after death. In the spring, they bring new souls to a body upon birth. These birds are also thought to protect the soul at night when a person sleeps.

SIZE: Print size 8" x 10", Paper size 11" x 14".

MATERIALS: It is handprinted with Caligo Safewash (non-toxic) printmaking ink Strathmore archival printmaking paper made locally in Massachusetts, or Arnhem 1618® Printmaking Paper.

COLOR OPTIONS: This design is printed in two color options: Prussian Blue (dark) or Gray Blue. The ink colors are hand mixed so please expect slight variations.

BULK ORDER / CUSTOM COLOR: This design can be ordered in bulk which comes with a custom color option. Please contact me about your interest and we can discuss the details.

STORY DETAILS: This artwork is inspired by an ancient folk astronomy story about the Milky Way told by the Finno-Urgic peoples from the landscape we now know as Finland and Estonia. It is believed that the milky way is the migratory path taken by birds, sometimes in the form of geese, other times arctic loons, and sometimes the flock is lead by a white swan, towards their wintering grounds in Lintukoto, the home of the birds. These “soul carriers” or “soul birds” suggests humanity is carried and mothered by birds at these pivotal times in our lives, and what a beautiful way to understand our place in the universe: not as masters, controllers, conquerers of the planet, but in the position of being nurtured by and cradled in the feathered wings of a bird. I absolutely love this folktale, a heartwarming story that weaves us back into kinship with the flock.

GIFT IDEAS: This would make a great gift for a mother who has just given birth, or someone grieving for a lost loved one, or someone who must let go of a relationship. The Sielulintu or Soul Bird also is a protector of the soul while it wanders during sleep and dreaming, or when the soul is vulnerable or needs extra support and protection. So this would be wonderful framed and hung next to someone's bedside, and would make a great gift for someone who feels vulnerable, and needs protection for their soul.

PACKAGING: This print is packaged in a recycled clear bag and shipped in a recycled cardboard mailer. A one-page insert including a description of the folktale is included with the print.

SHIPPING: All my prints are packaged and shipped out within 1-3 business days. Free shipping for U.S. Customers. International customers, please purchase this print on Etsy. I no longer provide international shipping through this website.

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