Alkonost
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This article is about Russian myth. For other uses, see Alkonost (disambiguation).
The Alkonost is, according to Russian folklore, a creature with the body of a bird but the head of a beautiful woman. It makes sounds that are amazingly beautiful, and those who hear these sounds forget everything they know and want nothing more ever again,[1] rather like the sirens of Greek myth. The alkonost lays her eggs on a beach and then rolls them into the sea. When the alkonost's eggs hatch, a thunderstorm sets in and the sea becomes so rough that it is untravelable. The name of the alkonost came from a Greek demigoddess whose name was Alcyone. In Greek mythology, Alcyone was transformed by the gods into a kingfisher.[2]
[edit] Gallery
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Lubok picture
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Postcard, 1908
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Viktor Vasnetsov's Sirin (left) and Alkonost (right) Birds of Joy and Sorrow (1896)
[edit] See also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Alkonost |
[edit] References
- ^ Mythical Beasts. innovativeKids. 2007. pp. 23.
- ^ Nina, Lena G.. "Everything Slavic Related". Tumblr. http://slavic.tumblr.com/post/3618946836/the-alkonost-is-a-legendary-bird-in-slavic.
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