12/09/2026
Greenwoodworking with Maurice of Touch Wood - this time you can carve your very own “”fan-bird”:
"The legend of the fan bird, also known as the Holy Spirit bird, originated in medieval Northern Russia, where a father carved a spinning bird from a single piece of wood for his sick son. The spinning and flapping wings of the bird were believed to imbue it with magical powers, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, and the boy regained his health. The story spread throughout Europe and Scandinavia as a symbol of protection, health, and happiness, and the tradition of carving and hanging fan birds continues today.
They weren’t just ornaments. People believed that hanging a fan bird in the home or barn would bring peace, good fortune, and protection. In some places, they were hung over a baby’s cradle to bring sweet dreams. In others, they were gifted at weddings as symbols of love, harmony, and a happy household.
The magic was in their movement: when the air stirred, the bird’s delicate wings would flutter, almost as if alive—reminding people of freedom, nature, and the fragile balance of life.
Today, the fan bird survives as a piece of folk art.
These birds are hand carved in Herefordshire where a simple block of wood could be transformed into a blessing."
Workshop length is 2-3 hrs
