Throughout history, birds have captivated humans and have been featured in art. They are a familiar part of everyday life, but their ability to sing and fly sets them apart from all other creatures. Dynasties and empires have adopted birds as their symbols. Birds appear in myths and legends, and in many religions they represent the human soul. Birds are featured in every art form, from early Paleolithic cave paintings to modern-day sculpture and paintings. The variety of birds in art is endless, from peacocks to doves, from the owl to the legendary phoenix.