Art Blog Entry #8

Origami Hen

Origami has a lot of birds...the hen is similar to some of the other bird designs. I need a bit more of a challenge.

Anyway symbolism is important in origami, so here it goes.

"During Jesus' last days on the earth, he taught at the temple. After pronouncing woes on the scribes and Pharisees and before departing with his disciples to the Mount of Olives, the Lord uttered the famous words, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate" (Matthew 23:37-38).

The Lord made this same comparison to the Nephites and Lamanites in 3 Nephi 10 and on three occasions to the Latter-day Saints in the Doctrine and Covenants (see D&C 10:65; 29:2; 43:24). During the period of darkness that covered the new world after the Savior's crucifixion, the Lord spoke to all those who had survived, identifying himself and calling the people to repentance. Silence followed for the space of many hours and then his voice came again: "O ye people of these great cities . . . how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you. And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, . . . and ye would not. O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart" (3 Nephi 10:4-6).

Understanding why a hen gathers her chicks and how she does so deepens our appreciation of the Lord's symbolism. A mother hen nurtures, cares for, and shows continual concern for her young brood, whereas a male fowl, or cock, is disinterested and uninvolved after breeding. The hen communicates with her young using a variety of sounds. She gathers the chicks for feeding and watering by a low clucking sound known as a brooding call. This exemplifies the teaching, nurturing aspect of the Savior's care (see 3 Nephi 10:4). The hen also "serves as a sentry, a defense force . . . her sentry duties are nearly continuous. She is forever alert." 14 When danger approaches she gives an alarm call in a different frequency from her brooding sounds. 15 The chicks then run to their mother. With her chicks gathered under her wings, she will fluff her feathers to look as large and impressive as possible in hopes of frightening an intruder. If danger persists or draws too close, she may attack. Many a farmer has experienced sufficient beaks or claws to learn the defensive power of a protective mother hen. Hence, the symbol of the Lord's protecting care over his own.

The mother hen uses an assembly call to gather her chicks when they are spread out in a large area. On tests done with a wild hen, the hen would call, and even though her chicks had strayed over about forty acres, by the following day they would all be together again with their mother. The assembly call, when recognized, draws the errant young from great distances. 16 Therein lies perhaps the most significant element of the analogy of the hen and her chicks. "For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated" (D&C 1:2). The voice of the Lord is unto all, but those who are too self-assured or too preoccupied with the things of the world to respond to his voice and gather when called are as vulnerable as young chicks alone before a predator. As Jacob warned, "Wo unto the deaf that will not hear; for they shall perish" (2 Nephi 9:31). The Lord does not condemn those who cannot hear, only those who willingly refuse to hear.

In Doctrine and Covenants 29, the Lord sets forth some of the signs of destruction that will accompany his coming "to take vengeance upon the wicked" (v. 17). It begins with these words of comfort to those that follow him: "Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ . . . Who will gather his people even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, even as many as will hearken to my voice and humble themselves before me, and call upon me in mighty prayer" (vv. 1-2). In the dark days ahead when the righteous will be gathered to Christ as they have been instructed, the Lord will symbolically raise the wings of his power to cover and protect his own. Then, in the fearful majesty of his might, he will destroy those who threaten his brood".

This relates a lot to religion, please do not take it in any offense if you believe in another higher being or in a different religion or non for that matter.

Hen description provided by SchoolOfAbraham.com.

Number of Attempts: 1