mockingjay

Mockingjay is a term in Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games series that refers to both a fictional bird and the title of the final novel, as well as a widely recognized symbol of rebellion within the dystopian nation of Panem.

In Panem, mockingjays originate when Capitol scientists bred jabberjays to spy on rebels; the birds mated with mockingbirds, producing a species capable of mimicking human speech. The mockingjay becomes a mutable symbol of resistance, used in propaganda and as a sign of defiance. Katniss Everdeen wears a Mockingjay pin as a token of luck, and the image of the bird evolves into a rallying emblem for the rebels.

In the novel Mockingjay (2010), Katniss Everdeen emerges as the Mockingjay, the figurehead of the rebellion based in District 13. The narrative follows her efforts to undermine the Capitol, rescue Peeta, and rally the districts, leading to the Capitol's downfall and the rise of a new government. The book is primarily told from Katniss's perspective. In the climax, Katniss kills President Coin; the epilogue depicts a healing life with Peeta.

The story has been adapted into Mockingjay Part 1 (2014) and Part 2 (2015), the final installments of the Hunger Games film series. The Mockingjay symbol appears in promotional materials and costumes, and the title has entered popular discourse as a symbol of resistance and resilience.