Alkonost

This article is about Russian mythical creature. For the band, see Alkonost (band).
Ivan Bilibin's Alkonost

The Alkonost is, according to Russian mythos and 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] She lives in the underworld with her counterpart the sirin.[2] 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.[3]

Gallery

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Alkonost.

References

  1. ↑ Mythical Beasts. innovativeKids. 2007. p. 23.
  2. ↑ Matthews, John; Caitlín Matthews (2005). The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures. HarperElement. p. 16. ISBN 978-1-4351-1086-1.
  3. ↑ Nina, Lena G. "Everything Slavic Related". Tumblr.
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