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It remains the main emblem of the ancient empire of the desert nomads. Tradition retains all its importance in this part of the world. Falconry, which describes the breeding of falcons, took root here thousands years ago.

 

 

Inspiration

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The Falcon model manufactured by DENA has been developed in relation to the philosophy and symbolism of the Falcon in Arab culture. The falcon is a solar symbol of superiority, ambition, spirit, light and freedom. On a spiritual level, the falcon is a unique totem animal, so much so that some cultures associate it with the sun. The Egyptians associated the falcon with the god Horus, whose name means "Far Away" in reference to the sky. However, the most impressive is the god Ba. Egyptian mythology depicts him as a spirit with the head of a falcon returning from Sheol. Through him, the falcon is seen as part of the soul that flies away from death to return among living beings.

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Falconry is an ancestral art that has become a national sport in the Arabian Peninsula.

Listed by UNESCO as part of humanity's intangible cultural heritage, falconry is an ancient art that involves capturing game in its natural habitat using a trained bird of prey. Practiced for thousands of years along the migratory routes taken by these birds of prey, this hunting technique was very popular in the Arab world.

The number 5 is a important in Arab society because of its association with wealth and good fortune. The Arab world likes this number both in trivial circumstances and at important moments in their lives. In Islam, the number 5 is central. The 5 pillars of Islam: the profession of faith, 5 prayers a day, charity, fasting and the pilgrimage to Mecca. This is the basis defined by DENA for its limited and numbered series of 5 unique timepieces.

 

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Philosophy

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The Falcon model manufactured by DENA was developed in relation to the philosophy and symbolism of the Falcon in Arab culture. The preferred number in the Middle East is 5. It is the favorite in Arab society because of its link with wealth and good fortune. Arabs worship this number in both innocuous circumstances and in important moments of their lives. In Islam, the number 5 is central. The 5 pillars of Islam: the profession of faith, the 5 prayers a day, charity, fasting and the pilgrimage to Mecca. This is the basis of its limited numbered series of 5 watches.

 

The falcon is a solar symbol of superiority, ambition, spirit, light and freedom. When scanning a landscape, the hawk's keen eye sees more than a man. Falcons are known for their speed and sharp eyesight. Although some people often compare them to the eagle, it must be said that there are no major differences between these two creatures. Spiritually, the hawk is a unique totem animal to the point where some cultures associate it with the sun. Coming from the clan of eagles and associated with the raven, the falcon is an animal that regains its spiritual energy when it is in the air. Shamanism therefore presents it as a totem animal associated with spiritual messages. This bird is able to fly so high that some initiates consider it to be a travelling spirit. More precisely, it navigates between worlds and appears in your life to bring you messages from the other side.

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If you think the hawk is your spirit guide, chances are that the animal has already sent you signs. You are encouraged to pay close attention to the details of your surroundings. From another angle, the falcon uses its messenger symbol to sharpen your intuition. The higher your intuition, the more easily you will perceive the mysteries around you. If you need to increase your mental capacity, the falcon is, without a doubt, the spiritual guide to turn to. In fact, its presence on your path is no mere coincidence. It signifies concentration and appears to people who wish to evolve in their daily activities.

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This meaning can be easily understood, especially when one observes the animal hunting a prey. It remains focused on its objective and does not let itself be distracted by details. Just like him, you must learn to avoid all forms of unnecessary distractions. The totem animal invites you to stay focused, proactive and react quickly if you really want to achieve results in life. On the other hand, the hawk's ability to fly at great heights in the sky is a strong message not to be ignored. It means that you should always take a step back from the big decisions and issues in life. Many people do not hesitate to associate the falcon with a symbol of dominance and arrogance. However, this is absolutely not what the bird represents. Here are its main characteristics:

 

• Strength and speed: like eagles, falcons have the advantage of having particularly strong feet and sharp talons. This is a powerful tool that allows them to kill their prey easily. Falcons also have a sharp beak with which they can tear off any flesh. This strength of the animal is supported by its incredible speed, which makes it one of the fastest birds in the world.     

        

• Ambition: Falcons are great lovers of heights. This representation fully illustrates the symbol of ambition that they embody. Moreover, these birds usually build their nests perched on top of trees and cliffs. For you, this is a motivational message: you must make the most of your potential to get the best of what you deserve.

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• Freedom: It is particularly difficult to control a hawk, for it is its dangerousness that sets it free. This spirit guide is free and is not bound to any community of solidarity. It is a solitary bird of prey that is master in the sky. You can draw inspiration from this freedom in your environment, especially in terms of communication.

 

For those initiated into totemism, it is an open secret that the falcon is associated with the power of vision. Its eye grants it one of the most precise visions in the animal world and this is understandable for two main reasons. These include its double fovea and the content of the aqueous humor fluid behind its cornea. In a nutshell, the hawk totem animal's eyes are far superior to those of humans. With this power, you can summon your spirit guide to gain more insight into your life. Also, the totem animal will be happy to make your mind far-sighted and calculating so that you are prepared for any eventuality.

 

Generally, dreaming of a hawk is a good omen, especially that of protection. However, it should be noted that this meaning is not universal. Each dream can hide a particular message depending on the images or scenarios that arise. For example, killing a falcon in a dream is not a good sign. It announces a future attack by enemies. Through this dream, your totem animal invites you to always be on your guard. Another bad omen is that of the hawk that is aggressive in your dream. Faced with such an image, simply remember that conflicts are coming on a professional level. On the other hand, if the falcon is positioned on your fist, this dream indicates glory. There are also other positive meanings, such as a hawk that allows itself to be attacked. If you achieve such a feat in your dream, note that the next few days will be very favorable to your desires.

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It represents spiritual strength. The hawk also symbolizes the ability to observe, perceive, analyze and make decisions. It is associated with intelligence and insight. Whether in popular beliefs or in ancient traditions, the falcon is much respected for its spiritual attributes. In fact, many peoples pay vibrant tribute to the symbol it represents. The example of ancient Egypt is, to this day, the most edifying.

 

Indeed, the Egyptians associated the falcon with the god Horus, whose name means "Far Away" in reference to the sky. This is one of the oldest Egyptian gods that are still engraved in the history of hieroglyphics. On the other side, we also find other gods linked to the falcon such as Sokar, Sopdou, Hemen and Daedun.

However, the most impressive is the god Ba. Egyptian mythology depicts him as a spirit with the head of a falcon who returns from the grave. Through him, the falcon is seen as part of the soul that flies out of death to return to the living.

 

Falconry, an ancestral art of the Arabs, has become a national sport in the Arabian Peninsula  

 

Listed by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, falconry is an ancient art that consists of capturing game in its natural habitat using a trained bird of prey. Practiced for thousands of years along the migratory routes used by birds of prey, this hunting technique was very popular among Arabs during the pre-Islamic, Umayyad and Abbasid eras. As a symbol of the alliance between man and animal, falconry was traditionally synonymous with nobility. Numerous virtues were associated with it, foremost among which were patience, moral strength and camaraderie. Several poets of the Abbasid era, notably Abû Nuwâs, Ibn al-Mu'tazz and Koshajem, honored it by describing the relationship between man and the bird of prey, and by narrating hunting episodes in which falcons distinguished themselves by their ability to capture their prey.

Although it is no longer practiced to provide for the food needs of a population, falconry still plays an important role in the Arab world, more precisely in the Arabian Peninsula. Indeed, since the beginning of the 21st century, this hunting technique has progressively become a national sport and has rapidly become the most popular sport in the peninsula. Practiced by the sheikhs of the Gulf and their male subjects, a whole ecosystem has developed around this sport in recent years. Regional and international competitions are held in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to elect the fastest hawks in the region, if not the world, each year. In 2019, the King Abdelaziz Saudi Falconry Festival was declared the largest falcon racing tournament in the world with a record 1,723 falcons competing over 10 days. In parallel, Gulf countries have initiated other policies to ensure the practice of falconry and to promote it. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have established one and several world-class falconry hospitals respectively. Qatar's hospital is located in the falcon market ("Sûq al-suqûr"), which in turn is located in Sûq Wâqif, the capital's famous souk. Marking the growing regional importance of falconry, specific falcon passports also began to be issued from 2014 by the Gulf Cooperation Council states (with the exception of Oman), following an agreement to regulate and facilitate their transport across the peninsula.

 

The modern prestige associated with falconry has caused a real craze around this sport nicknamed, due to its elitism, "the sport of princes". The local youth in particular are very keen to acquire the most prized falcons, both to show off in regional competitions and for ostentatious purposes, with the price of a falcon ranging from €4,000 to €200,000. Sadly, the fashion effect associated with falconry is partly to the detriment of the art of falconry, not as a simple sport or hunting technique, but as a culturally rooted practice or even as an initiation course. The numerous acquisitions of falcons are only rarely accompanied by a transmission of the values and more globally of the traditional culture surrounding this art. Nevertheless, these values are always carefully preserved and transmitted by a minority of people who are the custodians of traditional knowledge and practices. A bond of "mkhuwa", which refers to "a relationship of camaraderie and equal sharing of tasks, costs and responsibilities during a hunting party", thus continues to govern the conduct of these "authentic" falconers, for whom falconry today is "primarily a means of savoring a cultural tradition celebrating the spirit of camaraderie in the desert".

 

It was precisely in this spirit that Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyane, the late founder of the United Arab Emirates, practiced the art, which he also used to strengthen the social and political ties between the great Emirati families. Renowned for his commitment to ancient Bedouin traditions, the sheikh was the man behind the modern development of falconry in the UAE and the wider Arabian Peninsula. He dedicated several poems to the bird of prey, which he erected as a national emblem. In one of them, entitled The Loyal Falcons, he proclaimed "Good morning to the magnanimous ("al-shahâma"), good morning to the loyal falcons!

 

Guarantors of the homeland, they have safeguarded its respect; their destiny, among us, is high and precious!

By celebrating the greatness of falcons and their special bond with the homeland, both in his poems and in his actions, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan has revived the ancient alliance between man and bird of prey, and anchored this tradition in the Arab heritage for good. By promoting this art and making it a central element of Arab identity, he also participated significantly in the construction of a common and modern "khaleeji" identity that draws its sources from the past. As such, although the modalities of its practice are different in the modern era, falconry continues to fulfil one of its original functions, namely to bring people together and consolidate the bonds of brotherhood between them.

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