All things Geese....

[Agaliha]

I have become quite obsessed with Geese lately and I've been trying to find symbolism, lore and things like that about them.

So far what I have is---

Geese: Geese are associated with the "earth mother, maternity, fertility, truth, love, constancy, vigilance, providence, silliness, stupidity, female sexuality, wind, innocence, cowardice, and the good housewife" (Olderr 1986, 58)
(www.surlalunefairytales.com (http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/) "goose girl" annotation)

Goose – Geese are so faithful they symbolize fidelity.

A traditional Asian belief is that geese have the ability to strain any water from milk, thus they purify it for us and their presence prevents any unscrupulous dairyman from watering down his product.
(http://www.khandro.net/animal_birds.htm (http://www.khandro.net/animal_birds.htm))

I know they are sacred To Saraswati-- who has a Goose or Swan as her mount. I know what they symbolize in regards of Hinduism.

I think I saw something about Aphrodite...and Juno, Brahma, Mother Goose, Amun, Geb

Hearing the cackling of geese can forecast dangers, most notably raids or riots.
Goose down is used for pillows as a protective agent.
Geese are emblems of new beginnings.
(http://members.aol.com/ivycleartoes/birds.html (http://members.aol.com/ivycleartoes/birds.html))

Goose - safe return, love of home

The Ogdoad of Hermopolis myth-- ...In another version of this myth, the egg is laid by a goose; the Primeaval Goose or the 'Gengen Wer', with which Amun was associated as the creator. The goose is thought to carry the egg out of which creation comes. This myth is only given in fragments but obviously it states that the sun in the form of a bird came out of the egg which the Primeval Goose laid in the waters of Creation. It is also a form of Amun in his creator god aspect.
(http://www.philae.nu/akhet/Ogdoad.html (http://www.philae.nu/akhet/Ogdoad.html))

Goose - Guardian, watchful, wind, the sun, war, inspiration, swift, happiness, providence.

Does anyone else have more to add? Or some links about geese in folklore, fairy tales, myths or things?

[mucgwyrt]

Hi :)

In the Germanic tradition Frigg is connected with Mother Goose, partly because of her mother aspect (Frigg protects orphaned children) and partly because her Hall is in a fen/wetland :)

My totem animal is The Goose, and so she means a lot to me that probably isn't written anywhere, and can't be backed up with references and lore, you know?

To me, Goose is a mother and friend; she is love and security; she looks after me. Geese wouldn't forcast dangers to me like you quote; when I see or hear geese it's a reassurance to me, and a reminder that I'm looked after. Because geese lay eggs - fertile ones which contain babies and infertile eggs which sustain us - she be seen even more as a mother and provider and protector.

I'm english and we get a lot of white geese here, so she symbolises purity to me, and also home, the country side, innocence, playfulness... she represents England to me, which is my spiritual home :smile:

Anyway, thats just off the top of my head; its impossible to put into words everything which Goose means to me :hugz: good luck! :)

http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/eeem/pics/photos/geese.jpg

[Agaliha]

Thanks, Mucgwyrt :)

Everything you shared makes perfect sense! When I think about the Goose and birds in general I tend to get the same feelings and thoughts-- except for the link to England. Since I lived in western WA all my life there have always been geese of the Canadian variety all over. I used to go to the park, which had a lake and feed them all (seagulls and crows too). I even got to walk up to one when I was ohhh about 6-ish and pluck a feather from one's mouth. I still remember that Goose :tongueout At my college there are pairs of geese honking and eating all the time. Once I tried to sneak up on one and touch it, but it was too quick.
I definetly like geese... and have some sort of connection there. :)

Oh and cute pic! All the little chickes! I wish WA had white geese!

Here's the geese I gew up seeing...quite different when it comes to appearance from your white ones...but I think they are all the same Goose inside :p

[Teresa]

I have become quite obsessed with Geese lately and I've been trying to find symbolism, lore and things like that about them.

So far what I have is---

Geese: Geese are associated with the "earth mother, maternity, fertility, truth, love, constancy, vigilance, providence, silliness, stupidity, female sexuality, wind, innocence, cowardice, and the good housewife" (Olderr 1986, 58)
(www.surlalunefairytales.com (http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/) "goose girl" annotation)

Goose – Geese are so faithful they symbolize fidelity.

A traditional Asian belief is that geese have the ability to strain any water from milk, thus they purify it for us and their presence prevents any unscrupulous dairyman from watering down his product.
(http://www.khandro.net/animal_birds.htm (http://www.khandro.net/animal_birds.htm))

I know they are sacred To Saraswati-- who has a Goose or Swan as her mount. I know what they symbolize in regards of Hinduism.

I think I saw something about Aphrodite...and Juno, Brahma, Mother Goose, Amun, Geb

Hearing the cackling of geese can forecast dangers, most notably raids or riots.
Goose down is used for pillows as a protective agent.
Geese are emblems of new beginnings.
(http://members.aol.com/ivycleartoes/birds.html (http://members.aol.com/ivycleartoes/birds.html))

Goose - safe return, love of home

The Ogdoad of Hermopolis myth-- ...In another version of this myth, the egg is laid by a goose; the Primeaval Goose or the 'Gengen Wer', with which Amun was associated as the creator. The goose is thought to carry the egg out of which creation comes. This myth is only given in fragments but obviously it states that the sun in the form of a bird came out of the egg which the Primeval Goose laid in the waters of Creation. It is also a form of Amun in his creator god aspect.
(http://www.philae.nu/akhet/Ogdoad.html (http://www.philae.nu/akhet/Ogdoad.html))

Goose - Guardian, watchful, wind, the sun, war, inspiration, swift, happiness, providence.

Does anyone else have more to add? Or some links about geese in folklore, fairy tales, myths or things?

No but there are lots of them here.I have some of their feathers too! They make me smile.I love to watch them and the huming birds and beautiful butterflies and fenches and the faeries that visit my mexican sun flowers and garden! :flowers:

[Agaliha]

No but there are lots of them here.I have some of their feathers too! They make me smile.I love to watch them and the huming birds and beautiful butterflies and fenches and the faeries that visit my mexican sun flowers and garden!

Me too-- they make me smile and I have their feathers, they're big.

We feed hummingbrids with a feeder hooked to our front windows awning. It's great to see them drink and dance in the air and roost of our garden decorations-- they're so small ! I've tried to take pics of them, but they're too quick for my camera. They're all over here though.

:)

[-Ember]

Well, there is the Juno connection. They were the watchdogs of her temple. And geese are good guardians (a good blow can break limbs, and they are loud and smart enough to recognize intruders). There is some theory this was a celtic importation.

A practical matter... geese graze and you can use that to get closer to them. Swans are similar and I've befriended them with cabbage and dandilion greens... they MUCH prefer them to bread.

Something to consider as well is the other side of the Goose. There is the domestic goose and the wild goose. They both are goose, but different too. The grey goose of the wild hunt is not the guardian of domestic stability, yet is. Play with it and them and you find what I mean.

Also there is the general waterfowl symbology to look into. Much of what you find on ducks and swans has some connection to geese... and often symbology refrenced to one gets translated as annother depending on the language's differentiation of them.

[Rick]

Geese are harbingers of the changing seasons.

[mucgwyrt]

Thanks, Mucgwyrt :)

Everything you shared makes perfect sense! When I think about the Goose and birds in general I tend to get the same feelings and thoughts-- except for the link to England. Since I lived in western WA all my life there have always been geese of the Canadian variety all over. I used to go to the park, which had a lake and feed them all (seagulls and crows too). I even got to walk up to one when I was ohhh about 6-ish and pluck a feather from one's mouth. I still remember that Goose :tongueout At my college there are pairs of geese honking and eating all the time. Once I tried to sneak up on one and touch it, but it was too quick.
I definetly like geese... and have some sort of connection there. :)

Oh and cute pic! All the little chickes! I wish WA had white geese!

Here's the geese I gew up seeing...quite different when it comes to appearance from your white ones...but I think they are all the same Goose inside :p
Oo I used to live in Renton WA a few years back! Maybe it would be worth trying to find what some of the NA tribes in the area think of geese? :)

[Agaliha]

Oo I used to live in Renton WA a few years back! Maybe it would be worth trying to find what some of the NA tribes in the area think of geese? :)

Wow, Renton...that's cool :)
Ah, I've been looking into NA ideas on them in general. I'll have to see if there is anything more specific for the tribes in the area. Good idea :)

[Rudas Starblaze]

Well, there is the Juno connection. They were the watchdogs of her temple. And geese are good guardians (a good blow can break limbs, and they are loud and smart enough to recognize intruders).


boy aint that the truth! when Peeper was younger, he wouldnt let anyone near my mom outside! i vividly remember Peeper latching ahold of a friend of mine's arse and flogging the heck outta him as he ran across the yard!!! :rotfl:

btw, i figured out Peepers age,,,,,16 human years!!!! :jawdrop:

[aluokaloo]

Geese can also be symbolized by eternal cycles, of life, as well as by trusting to your instincts and just following your path, as the wild geese do every fall and spring. I love hearing the honking of the migrating geese.

[aluokaloo]

boy aint that the truth! when Peeper was younger, he wouldnt let anyone near my mom outside! i vividly remember Peeper latching ahold of a friend of mine's arse and flogging the heck outta him as he ran across the yard!!! :rotfl:

btw, i figured out Peepers age,,,,,16 human years!!!! :jawdrop:



I admit it I am not fond of geese, one bit me a s a child, and a flock of them chased me when i was feeding the ducks, geese are mean, and they hurt. So maybe you could add fierce protection to that concept of yours. Even as an adult, I still avoid them. I like watching wild geese, far far up and away in the sky, where they will not attack me. Juno is a smart Lady I say.

[mucgwyrt]

I admit it I am not fond of geese, one bit me a s a child, and a flock of them chased me when i was feeding the ducks, geese are mean, and they hurt. So maybe you could add fierce protection to that concept of yours. Even as an adult, I still avoid them. I like watching wild geese, far far up and away in the sky, where they will not attack me. Juno is a smart Lady I say.
awww :hugz:

[Mother Goose]

OH, my!!! How did I manage to miss this thread?!!! :lol: Thanks for all this info!! Very interesting....a friend of mine insists I chose my user ID for special reason, although at the time I just thought it was because I call dd a silly goose & I'm her mother. :) gives me a lot to think about...thank you again. :D

[Silverfire Darkmoon]

Geese are evil, EVIL creatures and should all be turned into pate foie gras. They're incredibly dirty and crap everywhere (and Gods, does it smell when you step in it!), and nasty, vicious, overly agressive creatures. I loathe and despise them. That's it.

[Agaliha]

Geese are evil, EVIL creatures and should all be turned into pate foie gras. They're incredibly dirty and crap everywhere (and Gods, does it smell when you step in it!), and nasty, vicious, overly agressive creatures. I loathe and despise them. That's it.


Um, okay, Silverfire. :wtf: This wasn't a thread asking for opinions on Geese-- I was asking for geese related info. How you feel about them is how you feel...but don't come into my thread and disrespect Geese and me and everyone else that likes them. It's rude and unnessesary, keep negative comments like that to yourself. Geese can't help who and what they are. They are creatures that deserve respect too. They are not evil. Some humans can fall into the same description you have for geese--such as babies who puke and poop all over and are not so fun to be around....are they evil. NO. They deserve respect just like everyone and thing else. :G:geez:

[Agaliha]

... I just thought it was because I call dd a silly goose & I'm her mother. :) gives me a lot to think about...thank you again. :D

I call my mom Mother Goose, lol. :)

I'm going to find some more Geese lore...I'll post it here when I get some good stuff.

:flowers:

[Darkwater Stone]

I like geese....I don't care that they poop....so do we.

[Agaliha]

I like geese....I don't care that they poop....so do we.
:thumbsup: Yeah and it's not like our doesn't stink too. ;)

[Xentor]

Um, okay, Silverfire. :wtf: This wasn't a thread asking for opinions on Geese-- I was asking for geese related info. How you feel about them is how you feel...but don't come into my thread and disrespect Geese and me and everyone else that likes them. (...) keep negative comments like that to yourself.

Telling members how to behave is my job. This community is free, and people respond in unexpected ways.


It's rude and unnessesary,

Agreed. Silverfire Darkmoon, show some respect.

[Agaliha]

Telling members how to behave is my job. This community is free, and people respond in unexpected ways.

I wasn't trying to be an Admin. I thought it was rude and disrespectful to me and others, and I responed to that. Oh well.
Understood.