A wood chip bird is a carved wooden toy with a thin petal for the bird’s wings. The plumage and tail of these birds were carved from split pine, which is why the birds were called «splinters».

According to the beliefs, the wood chip bird brings many blessings to the house. This bird is also a symbol of the sun. Back in the days those birds were hung in almost every peasant’s house — in the sacred corner (krasnyi ugol), over the dining table, in front of the Russian stove or over the child’s crib. Breaths of the warm air made the birds rotate in a circle.

 

It can be assumed that this handicraft is a side craft of shipbuilding. Making the bird is quite laborious. Bricks are cut out from the carvel pine butt (a tree’s part where there are no branches). For one bird two whole pieces of soaking wood (or wood exposed to steam) which can be split are needed. The bird’s body is cut out of spruce or aspen. The previously soaked and steamed tail and wings are split into thin slabs with a knife — this is the most responsible procedure. The thinner the slabs the more delicate and lacier the bird will be. The slabs are then connected to each other, and the bird’s feathers are «unfolding».

«Few minutes» toys (made just for one game) in form of deer, dogs and other animals were made from an ordinary sliver with several knife moves, using technological techniques as cutting, breaking and shavings.

In the North they say, «A wood chip bird is the soul of a pine tree». The bird’s «character» depends on the «mundane» life of the tree: growing conditions of the pine and a number of sunny days per year. Growth rings form the texture of a bird and the unique pattern of its wings.

Traditionally, the wood chip bird is neither painted nor varnished: it is believed that a «living» tree has a beneficial effect on people. Over time, the bird changes and acquires a beautiful noble bronze color.

Symbolism is seen in the shape of a wood chip bird. For example, one can notice one of the oldest symbols — a cross. The circle that the bird forms by its rotation symbolizes eternity, rebirth and resembles the sun — a symbol of life. Since old times the bird was considered to be a link between the earth and the sky, between the human and the divine. It is a conduit of the soul. According to the Christian mythology, a symbol of the Holy Spirit is a dove. No surprise that the wood chip bird took shape of it.

Photo credits to: TIC, L. Ashitok, TIC Pinezhie
Information was prepared by the staff of the Arkhangelsk Regional Scientific Library named after N.A. Dobrolyubova, more information on the website http://cultnord.ru/