Ostrich Eggs in Churches

Ostrich eggs are suspended in several Eastern churches as symbols of God’s watchful care. It is said that the ostrich hatches her eggs by gazing on them, and if she suspends her gaze even for a minute or so, the eggs are addled. Furthermore, we are told that if an egg is bad the ostrich will break it: so will God deal with evil men.

“Oh! even with such a look, as fables say

The mother ostrich fixes on her eggs,

Till that intense affection

Kindle its light of life.”

Southey: Thalaba.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.