The turkey is a bird that has become a cultural icon and mainstay of celebrations in many parts of the world. Most notably, the turkey is strongly associated with Thanksgiving festivities in the United States as well as the broader autumn season. The prominence of the turkey in popular culture has made it a popular subject for clip art and stock imagery.
A Brief History of the Turkey
Turkeys are large birds that are native to North America. They belong to the biological family Phasianidae, which also includes pheasants, chickens, and other game birds.
There are several theories regarding how turkeys got their name. One is that they were named after Turkey, a country that was an exotic trading partner in the Americas during the time turkeys were discovered by Europeans. Another theory suggests the name comes from turquoi, an Algonquian Indian word meaning “big bird.”
Indigenous peoples domesticated turkeys over 2,000 years ago. They were an important source of food and feathers for American Indian tribes. When European explorers first arrived in the Americas, they recognized the potential of breeding turkeys which were taken back and domesticated in Europe during the 16th century.
The turkey gained popularity in America after being imported from Europe. Early American settlers and farmers quickly learned to breed them as an accessible source of food. Turkeys were likely served at early Thanksgiving celebrations, cementing their place at the holiday feast. They continue to be a centerpiece of most Thanksgiving menus today.
The Turkey as a Symbol
Beyond being a main course on many dinner tables, the turkey has become an enduring symbol, especially during the Thanksgiving season. As a native bird unique to North America, it represents harvest and abundance. The turkey has appeared widely across popular culture, advertising, decorations, clip art, and more.
Some of the symbolic associations connected to turkeys include:
- Harvest – Turkeys have become an icon of the fall harvest. Their place on Thanksgiving tables highlights crops for which Americans give thanks after the growing season.
- Abundance – A oven-roasted turkey is the center of lavish Thanksgiving spreads, emphasizing the bounty of food many enjoy. Its large size enables turkey to feed crowds.
- Family – As a bird that brings families together for a holiday meal, the turkey represents connection and time spent with loved ones.
- American pride – As a species only found natively in North America, the turkey is a symbol of national pride. It has a uniquely American origin story.
The rich significance turkeys hold has contributed to their common appearance in Thanksgiving decorations, centerpieces, tableware, greeting cards, banners, yard ornaments, apparel, and a wide range of turkey-themed clip art.
The Turkey in Clip Art
Clip art provides easy access to festive imagery that can be used across digital or print media. Turkey visuals get particularly heavy use around Thanksgiving when people are crafting everything from party invitations to classroom lessons to greeting cards.
Some examples of how turkey clip art gets used include:
- Decorative web buttons
- Borders on greeting cards
- Printable coloring pages
- Desktop wallpaper
- Party invitation templates
- Menu design elements
- Classroom displays
- Craft templates
- Banners and signs
- Fun face paint ideas
- Business advertisement visuals
- Email newsletter graphics
Clip art turkeys embody many symbolic meanings associated with the bird. Common turkey visual themes in clip art include:
- Turkeys on serving platters
- Turkeys with autumn leaves
- Turkeys with pilgrim hats or buckles
- Turkeys with cornucopias or harvest baskets
- Whole turkeys or turkey parts like drumsticks
- Cute cartoon turkeys
- Turkey families
- Turkey feathers or footprints
- Stylized turkeys in seasonal colors
This variety allows people to find many options whether aiming for a more literal or abstract decorative style.
Why Turkeys Make Great Clip Art
Turkeys possess several inherent qualities that make them well-suited as a clip art subject matter:
- Distinct visual profile – With colorful fleshy necks, waddling bodies, and feathered tails, turkeys have a distinct look recognizable even in simple cartoon visual interpretations.
- Texture and pattern – Feathers that cover a turkey’s body can be rendered visually in many pleasing ways, creating interesting effects.
- Humorous potential – As awkward, clumsy birds, turkeys naturally lend themselves to lighthearted caricatures. Expressive faces and postures entertain.
- Adaptability – Turkeys can be drawn across styles from simple outlines to realistic renderings. Their attributes like feathers and fans readily convert into decorative elements.
- Association with celebration – Because of the turkey’s link to Thanksgiving, they make natural choices for graphics related to autumn, harvest, gratitude, family, feasting, and more.
The turkey’s familiar profile mixed with its association with themes like abundance or seasonal change help make this bird one of the most ubiquitous figures across clip art libraries. Whether crafting a classroom Thanksgiving party invitation or finding a graphic for a business e-mail newsletter, turkey visuals creatively communicate festive spirit. They help establishes motifs of harvest, gratitude, and celebration through easily reconizable imagery of this charismatic North American bird.
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