Daniel Dewald’s Grey Feather’s book on actual operations during the Vietnam war uses a prevalent symbolism, which holds various other meanings.
Colors play a significant role in people’s lives. Not only do they make the world a more beautiful and pleasing place to live in, but they also make people’s lives more meaningful. People have connected colors to various meanings they live by and apply in their lives.
For instance, white stands for innocence and humility. It conveys cleanliness, purity, and all things right and good, with which people choose to splash on the walls of their buildings and on their things for them to experience clarity and peace around these objects. Black stands for sadness, mystery, and, most importantly, power. People use or wear this color whenever they need a boost in their confidence. On the other hand, grey represents neutrality, a balance between white and black, good and bad. But it also carries some negative connotations.
Some people believe in these color symbolisms, whether superstitions or merely psychological conditioning and let these influence their lives. This is why people avoid black cats on their way to work or keep red objects during important tests. Undoubtedly, color weighs significantly in people’s decisions, behaviors, and lives.
The Grey Feather
One of the most used symbolisms of color is the grey’s association with feathers. Grey feathers are an ordinary happening. So much so that people encounter them everyday and pay no attention to them without knowing that people have applied a deeper meaning behind it.
One of its common symbolism is that of wisdom, knowledge, or the unknown, as seen in Icarus’ story. The term grey feather came into existence in the Bible. It was first mentioned in the form of a dove, Noah’s grey dove when it returned to the Ark after finding land. Given the event transcribed in Noah’s story, the dove became a spiritual symbol of hope and new beginnings. While the color was initially connected to a dove, the symbolism behind it can be reduced to the grey feather. Nowadays, the grey feather is still very often linked to spirituality. It’s said that when people see this feather, it’s the Divine or angels bringing them messages.
But other than its link to spirituality, what different meanings does a grey feather hold?
Empathy
Besides its connection to the Bible, the term grey feather also has roots in Greek culture. Similar to the Bible, its symbolism is still connected to how the Greeks perceived grey birds. They believed that birds are closely identical to humans, such that they shared the same point of view regarding the happening on earth. To them, a grey feather symbolizes understanding and empathy because it represents the humans’ capacity to be accepting and at the moment. This implies that if people see grey feathers, they could connect it to the universe calling them to show more empathy. Or the need for its presence in their lives.
Peace
Like the previously good connotation, the grey feather has been found in ancient Egyptian tombs and Greek mythology. As a color, grey generally denotes the end of the war and the presence of peace. The grey feather has long been a symbol of peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
Bravery
Being a prevalent symbolism, the term grey feather has also been regularly used in literature, mainly in those about wars, battles, or conflicts. For instance, Patricia Kennealy utilizes it in her book, The Hawk’s Grey Feather, which follows King Arthur’s journey into learning the ropes of battle life. Another excellent example of this term’s usage author Daniel Dewald also uses it in his book about war. His Grey Feather’s book on actual operation during the Vietnam war uses this term to symbolize the bravery of the troops who responded during the war.
Check out how he uses this term from his book on his website: https://www.danieldewaldgreyfeathers.com/ or purchase it on Amazon. The term grey feather undeniably carries a positive symbolism. From its spiritual connotations to its modern literature significance, it’s no surprise that its meanings will continuously be upheld in the future. So, if you encounter a grey feather one day, what will you think it means?
