Wings of the Gods: Birds in the World's Religions - Hardcoverby Gardella (Author), Laurence Krute (Author) Birds have a larger place in religions than any other non human animal, from their role as messenger between humans and gods among the ancient Mayans, to the Christian Holy Spirit taking flesh as a dove. More than symbols, birds gained divine status by guiding humans to water and food, replanting forests after ice ages and fires, and living with humans as they settled into farming and urban life. With the