The book was inspired by ancient spring rituals where evil was embodied in a specific figure and driven away to let the light in and restore balance. At its core are themes of purification and liberation, treating the body and its movement as ritualistic acts. The series is based on the ancient spring solstice traditions of "driving away the birds" and "calling the birds," which were characteristic of Livonian settlements. In these rituals, large birds symbolized diseases and evil spirits, while small birds were associated with light and awakening.
