The Honeybee: Community & Harmony

By: doanart Mood: full of life Date: 10/08/2008 18:04:13 Music: Bee by the Sugarcubes

The Honeybee: Community & Harmony
is my latest painting in the Animal Spirit Totem series. I have been
reading a lot of fascinating literature about the honeybee. This
painting celebrates the all that the honeybee contributes to life on
earth.

Until recently, the honeybee has been taken for granted,
and feared by some. However, the honeybee is an integral part of our
existence on earth. Without it, we would not be able to survive like we
do now. Honeybees are responsible for fertilizing the flowers and
plants we depend on for food. One third of all our food is produced by
pollinators, which include the honeybee. Not only does the honeybee
play an important role in our ability to provide food, but they can
also serve as examples and guides of how to live better lives.

The
honeybee teaches about community and harmony. They live in hives
comprised of the Queen and many Workers and Drones. The Queen begins
building the hive by choosing a home and laying the eggs. While the
eggs develop into Workers the Queen continues to construct the hive.
Once the Workers are old enough, they take over building the hive,
collecting food and caring for the developing bees. The Drones aid in
propagation and in controlling the temperature of the hive. The health
of the hive depends on the cooperation and health of every one of its
members. Every bee has a role and contributes to the over all harmony
of the hive.

One lesson we can take from this is that the
well-being of any community is dependent on the health and contribution
of each of its members. One member cannot take on all the
responsibilities, nor can one sit back and reap all the benefits
without harming the community in a negative way. Another lesson is that
sometimes one can work too hard, ignoring the others in the community
who can contribute, risking their health from stress and depleted
health. Think of the classic workaholic. Being part of a community
means knowing you cannot do it all, and asking for help when it is
needed. It also means to step up and help out those who need it.

Honeybees
work very hard to prepare for a long winter, collecting pollen and
nectar to feed their young and to sustain them during the winter months
when food is scarce. We can also learn from the honeybee about
conserving and preparing for the future. By balancing working roles,
the hive (the community) can run efficiently and create a harmonious
living environment.

Honeybees have had a long relationship with
humans throughout history and in many cultures. Most of the ancient
myths are centered on Europe and the surrounding area, because
honeybees are not native to North America (They were brought here by
the European colonists).

To the Ancient Egyptians, honeybees
were believed to be the tears of the sun god Ra and honey was believed
to be a symbol of resurrection and protected against evil spirits.

In
Ancient Greece the honeybee was thought to be messengers for the gods.
The Priestesses of the Oracle in Delphi were sought to answer questions
about the future and past. The Priestesses sat on three-legged stools
near a spot where sweet-smelling fumes rose up through an omphalos stone, which was hollow and shaped similar to a bee hive. The exterior of the omphalos stone was carved with the images of honeybees.

The Honeybee was sacred to the Celtic goddess Brigid, who kept an orchard in the Otherworld, which was visited by bees.

(The Honeybee: Community & Harmony, 5 x7", Ink Fresco)

DoAn

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