Final answer:
Bird representations in Melanesian masks and carvings symbolize the celestial realm and act as messengers between humans and higher powers. They feature prominently in the ritual and ceremonial use of masks, symbolizing spiritual intermediation and cosmic connectivity.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Melanesian culture, masks and carvings often feature representations of birds due to their symbolic significance. Birds are considered messengers between the earthly and celestial realms, and as such, they play a pivotal role in ritual and ceremonial contexts. For example, birds are featured in the art of the Pacific Northwest Coast Kwakwaka'wakw culture, where masks with a high degree of relief feature these animals and are used in winter ceremonies, symbolizing the belief that animals can take human form.
Furthermore, birds are associated with cosmic definitions and astrological events, serving as intermediaries between humans and the heavens. This is evident in artifacts such as the tripod vessel (1.7.30), where the bird, often a king vulture, symbolizes a connection to higher powers. Such motifs are not only limited to Melanesian culture but span globally, as evidenced by the ceremonial uses of masks in various cultures to embody higher beings such as gods and ancestral spirits.
The depiction of birds in Melanesian art thus reflects a deep-rooted reverence for these creatures as part of their spiritual and cosmological understanding, influencing the designs of their ceremonial masks and carvings.