Plate 96 Columbia Jay 

John James Audubon made this striking depiction of Columbia Jays using watercolor, pastel, and graphite. The jays perch on a branch, their plumage a deep, intense blue. Birds, across cultures, have been symbols of transition, the soul, and freedom. Their ability to traverse the terrestrial and the celestial realms makes them potent symbols of mediation between worlds. Consider, too, the branch upon which they sit. The branch represents the Tree of Life— a motif that echoes through countless traditions, representing connections, growth, ancestry, and the cyclical nature of existence. We see this symbolism even in modern contexts, where family trees visually represent lineage. Here, this branch and birds become an enduring emblem of life's persistent rhythms. The deep blue is a powerful force, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. Blue is often associated with depth and stability, symbolizing trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven. These symbols remind us of the interconnectedness of life and the recurring, evolving nature of symbols themselves, as they resurface and take on new meanings across time.