Madonna of the Birches

Be praised, Mother of God, by beautiful birches.

The birch tree is known by the white bark of its trunk and its delicate green branches.
The Madonna stands like a slender birch, a figure in a white dress with a green veil
covering her arms and peaceful face.

Mieczyslaw Gogacz, Litania kwiatow do Matki Bozej

The Madonna appears dressed in virginal white in a forest of birches whose white bark represents purity. In the foreground are white storks, a bird typically found in Polish landscapes. Poland has the largest population of storks in Europe. The stork signifies prosperity and the hope for children.