Thunderbird (mythology): Difference between revisions
doesn't sound like a WP:RELIABLE source, take to WP:RSN if you disagree |
You can read the book if you like; these come from a tribal council. Please let the edits go through Undid revision 553108837 by Heironymous Rowe (talk) |
||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
== Common depictions == |
== Common depictions == |
||
Across many [[North American]] indigenous cultures, the thunderbird carries many of the same characteristics. It is described as a large bird, capable of creating storms and thundering while it flies. [[Cloud]]s are pulled together by its wingbeats, the sound of thunder made by its wings clapping, [[lightning|sheet lightning]] the light flashing from its eyes when it blinks, and individual [[Thunderbolt|lightning bolts]] made by the glowing snakes that it carries around with it. In masks, it is depicted as multi-colored, with two curling horns, and, often, [[teeth]] within its [[beak]]. The Native Americans believed that the giant thunderbird could shoot lightning from its eyes. |
Across many [[North American]] indigenous cultures, the thunderbird carries many of the same characteristics. It is described as a large bird, capable of creating storms and thundering while it flies. Larger than both the [[eagle]] and the [[condor]], the Thunderbird was said to be gifted with the great power of sight and was able to transmit telepathically ancient wisdom and knowledge in prehistoric times.<ref name="tb_citation_">{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/Grandmothers-Counsel-World-Elders-Vision/dp/1590302931|title="Grandmothers Counsel the World: Women Elders Offer Their Vision for Our Planet."|accessdate=26 February 2013}}</ref> [[Cloud]]s are pulled together by its wingbeats, the sound of thunder made by its wings clapping, [[lightning|sheet lightning]] the light flashing from its eyes when it blinks, and individual [[Thunderbolt|lightning bolts]] made by the glowing snakes that it carries around with it. In masks, it is depicted as multi-colored, with two curling horns, and, often, [[teeth]] within its [[beak]]. The Native Americans believed that the giant thunderbird could shoot lightning from its eyes. |
||
Origins of the belief may lie in the tendency of large birds to take advantage of the warm updrafts which precede large storms, giving the impression that violent weather followed in their wake. |
Origins of the belief may lie in the tendency of large birds to take advantage of the warm updrafts which precede large storms, giving the impression that violent weather followed in their wake. |
||
| Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
A famous story of the thunderbird is "[[Thunderbird and Whale]]". The thunderbird mythology parallels tales of the [[Roc (mythology)|Roc]] from around the [[Indian Ocean]]; as the roc, it is generally assumed to be based on real (though mythically exaggerated) species of birds, specifically the [[Bald Eagle]], which is very common on the [[British Columbia Coast|Northwest Coast]]. |
A famous story of the thunderbird is "[[Thunderbird and Whale]]". The thunderbird mythology parallels tales of the [[Roc (mythology)|Roc]] from around the [[Indian Ocean]]; as the roc, it is generally assumed to be based on real (though mythically exaggerated) species of birds, specifically the [[Bald Eagle]], which is very common on the [[British Columbia Coast|Northwest Coast]]. |
||
According to ancient legends, the world will know a time of balance, and amazing things will be able to happen when the Thunderbirds come home, says Grandmother Agnes of Grants Pass, Oregon. <ref name="tb_citation_"></ref> |
|||
==Depictions in popular culture== |
==Depictions in popular culture== |
||
Revision as of 22:18, 1 May 2013
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2009) |
The thunderbird is a legendary creature in certain North American indigenous peoples' history and culture. It is considered a "supernatural" bird of power and strength. It is especially important, and frequently depicted, in the art, songs and oral histories of many Pacific Northwest Coast cultures, and is found in various forms among the peoples of the American Southwest, Great Lakes, and Great Plains. Thunderbirds were components of the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex of American prehistory.[1][2]
Naming
The thunderbird's name comes from the common belief that the beating of its enormous wings causes thunder and stirs the wind. The Lakota name for the thunderbird is Wakį́yą, from wakhą 'sacred' and kįyą 'winged'. The Kwakwaka'wakw have many names for the thunderbird, and the Nuu-chah-nulth (Nootka) called it Kw-Uhnx-Wa. The Ojibwa word for a thunderbird that is closely associated with thunder is animikii, while large thunderous birds are known as binesi.
Common depictions
Across many North American indigenous cultures, the thunderbird carries many of the same characteristics. It is described as a large bird, capable of creating storms and thundering while it flies. Larger than both the eagle and the condor, the Thunderbird was said to be gifted with the great power of sight and was able to transmit telepathically ancient wisdom and knowledge in prehistoric times.[3] Clouds are pulled together by its wingbeats, the sound of thunder made by its wings clapping, sheet lightning the light flashing from its eyes when it blinks, and individual lightning bolts made by the glowing snakes that it carries around with it. In masks, it is depicted as multi-colored, with two curling horns, and, often, teeth within its beak. The Native Americans believed that the giant thunderbird could shoot lightning from its eyes.
Origins of the belief may lie in the tendency of large birds to take advantage of the warm updrafts which precede large storms, giving the impression that violent weather followed in their wake.
In oral history
Depending on the people telling the story, the thunderbird is either a singular entity or a species. In both cases, it is intelligent, powerful, and wrathful. All agree one should go out of one's way to keep from getting thunderbirds angry.
The singular thunderbird (as the Nuu-chah-nulth thought of it) was said to reside on the top of a mountain, and was the servant of the Great Spirit. It was also told that the thunderbird controlled rainfall.
The plural thunderbirds (as the Kwakwaka'wakw and Cowichan tribes believed) could shapeshift into human form by tilting back their beaks like a mask, and by removing their feathers as if it were a feather-covered blanket. There are stories of thunderbirds in human form marrying into human families; some families may trace their lineage to such an event. Families of thunderbirds who kept to themselves but wore human form were said to have lived along the northern tip of Vancouver Island. The story goes that other tribes soon forgot the nature of one of these thunderbird families, and when one tribe tried to take them as slaves the thunderbirds put on their feather blankets and transformed to take vengeance upon their foolish captors.
Sioux people believed that in "old times" the thunderbirds destroyed dangerous reptilian monsters called the Unktehila.
The Anishinaabe, who speak Ojibwa, one of the Three Fires Society, have many stories about thunderbirds. During the sundance ceremony a thunderbird nest is put near the top of the tree of life. The dancers often face the nest while dancing, and their hands and arms reach up towards the nest at times. A thunderbird pipe is used during the ceremony, and thunderbird medicine is prepared as well. The area of Thunder Bay, Ontario, is related in some ways to the Anishinaabe stories of thunderbirds.
A famous story of the thunderbird is "Thunderbird and Whale". The thunderbird mythology parallels tales of the Roc from around the Indian Ocean; as the roc, it is generally assumed to be based on real (though mythically exaggerated) species of birds, specifically the Bald Eagle, which is very common on the Northwest Coast.
According to ancient legends, the world will know a time of balance, and amazing things will be able to happen when the Thunderbirds come home, says Grandmother Agnes of Grants Pass, Oregon. [3]
Depictions in popular culture
The Thunderbird is most famous as name of the popular car model of the Ford Motor Company.
John Hodgman's book, More Information Than You Require, uses the Thunderbird as the crux of a satirical historical fiction short story. In Neil Gaiman's award winning novel American Gods, thunderbirds feature prominently.
Mozilla Thunderbird is a free,[4] open source, cross-platform email and news client developed by the Mozilla Foundation.
See also
Notes
- ^ Townsend, Richard F. (2004). Hero, Hawk, and Open Hand. Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-10601-7.
- ^ Ancient Objects and Sacred Realms. University of Texas Press. 2004. pp. 29–34. ISBN 978-0-292-71347-5.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|editors=ignored (|editor=suggested) (help) - ^ a b ""Grandmothers Counsel the World: Women Elders Offer Their Vision for Our Planet."". Retrieved 26 February 2013.
- ^ "Debian and Mozilla - a study in trademarks". LWN.net. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
External links
| Middle Mississippian |
| ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Appalachian Mississippian |
| ||||||||||
| Fort Walton culture | |||||||||||
| Pensacola culture | |||||||||||
| Plaquemine Mississippian | |||||||||||
| Caddoan Mississippian | |||||||||||
| Upper Mississippian cultures |
| ||||||||||
| Culture |
| ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
