The Woodpecker (Picus) is an animal sacred to Mars and one of its symbolic manifestations (Picus Martius or Piku Martio).
The woodpecker symbolically is a very complex figure because it is connected to the oracular/divination power (Picus Feronius) and especially the augural power.
The symbol of the woodpecker shows very complex implications related not only to the science of signs and symbols, but also to visions and dreams and the peculiar divination power deriving from the Oracle of Mars.
The woodpecker symbolizes the power of the rex augur and the power of those having particular divination and augural powers.
In the science of signs' observation, in particular the observation of
the flight of birds, great importance is given to the flight of the
green woodpecker if coming from the west (related to the crow) or from the east
(if connected to the magpie). The lustration rites require that the augur at the augural stones (avieclir) cannot proceed before announcing the green woodpecker from the west.
The woodpecker also symbolically represents the presence of all the Gods and Goddesses of the woods that are cited and honored during the Lucaria in July 19 to 21. Moreover, the woodpecker is related to the knowledge of the "language of the birds".
