The wind they call Maria

More than any weather element, wind has fascinated people throughout the ages. Our ancestors were all too familiar with wind's unpleasant effects - hot droughty air, driving rain, drifting soil, blowing snow, chilling air, destructive gales. However, they were also well aware of winds that brought pleasure and comfort, pushed away ice, dissipated fog, helped move ships, and generated power. In ancient times, winds were thought to be controlled by magic or by gods and goddesses. Wind gods were revered by the Chinese, Egyptians and other older cultures. In Ancient Greece, the Tower of the Winds was erected to immortalize various characteristics of the winds. In many cultures the early folklore was resplendent with imaginative references to wind. According to North American Indian legends, the North Wind was a cruel and demanding monster, who had to be humoured. Another tradition says that an Indian hero hunted the great bird whose beating wings caused the wind, and broke its wing. When the bird healed, its wing was smaller and could only produce a lighter wind. Our ancestors soon learned that changes in the wind often brought changes in the weather. It was said, "To read the wind correctly is to read the weather". From this understanding came countless sayings to forecast the weather.