A harbinger of good fortune, a guardian against evil spirits, a symbol of community... In Eastern traditions, magpies are associated with joy and auspiciousness and believed to mediate between the human and spirit realms. In the "Cowherd and Weaver Girl" tale (origin of the Chinese Valentine's Day), magpies form a bridge across the Milky Way for the separated lovers to reunite once a year, thus becoming symbols of commitment and marital bliss. In fengshui, magpie decorations are placed in homes to invite harmony.
