Alkonost
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This article is about Russian myth. For other uses, see Alkonost (disambiguation).
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The Alkonost is a legendary bird in Slavic mythology. It has the body of a bird with the head and chest of a woman. The name Alkonost came from the name of Greek demi-goddess Alcyone transformed by gods into a kingfisher. The Alkonost reproduces by laying eggs on the sea-shore then putting them into the water. The sea is then calm for six or seven days at which point the eggs hatch, bringing a storm. For the Russian Orthodox Church Alkonost personifies God's will. She lives in paradise but goes into our world to deliver a message. Her voice is so sweet that anybody hearing it can forget everything.
[edit] Gallery
 Lubok picture |
 Postcard, 1908 |
 Viktor Vasnetsov's Sirin (left) and Alkonost (right) Birds of Joy and Sorrow (1896) |
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Alkonost |
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