In ancient Europe it was believed that the pelican would cut its breast open with its beak and feed its young with its own blood if there was not enough food, even though pelicans don’t actually do that. Some even believed that the pelican had the power to bring its dead young back to life by giving them its blood.
This belief lasted at least until the 17th century, as shown by this late 16th century work on plants and animals, published again in 1622:
Geoffroi Linocier, Histoire des plantes, appendix on birds, 1584
The description under the image says: “This pelican lives near the Nile river and marshes in Egypt. It loves its young so much that when snakes kill them it strikes its sides until blood comes out and with its blood brings them back to life.”
Because of that belief, the pelican became a major symbol of self-sacrifice and charity. Early Christians had adopted it by the 2nd century and started using it in texts and images, making it a very special bird.
Edward Burne-Jones, Pelican stained glass, 19th century, Saint-Martin’s Church, Brampton — Source: roseandphoenix.wordpress.com
The representation of a pelican piercing its breast to feed its young with its own blood is called a “Pelican in her Piety.” It can be found in illuminations, stone reliefs, gold jewels, paintings, stained glass windows and more, from the Middle Ages to the modern era.
Pelican Illustration in MS. 89/54, Folio 5, late 12th century, Grootseminarie Library, Bruges
Pelican in her Piety bas-relief, Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery, Montréal
Restored Pelican in her Piety bas-relief, Saint-Etienne Cathedral, Metz
Pelican in her Piety pendant, c.1550s, Victoria and Albert Museum, London
One of Queen Elizabeth I’s most famous portraits is called The Pelican Portrait, based on a similar pelican jewel in the painting (just above her hand), which suggests that the Queen is like a mother pelican, sacrificing herself for her country if necessary.
Nicholas Hilliard, Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I / The Pelican Portrait, c.1575, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
Nicholas Hilliard, Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I / The Pelican Portrait — detail, c.1575, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
Pelican in her Piety stained glass window, Saint-Andrew-by-the-Lake Church, Centre Island — Source: karenlaw.ca
Sometimes the bird doesn’t really look like a pelican in such representations, but if it’s feeding its young with drops from its breast or if its beak is piercing its breast, it’s definitely a pelican, and it represents self-sacrifice and charity because it was believed to feed its young with its own blood.
