Alkonost

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This article is about Russian myth. For other uses, see Alkonost (disambiguation).

The Alkonost is a legendary bird in Slavic mythology. It has the body of a bird with the face 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. Unlike Sirin, another similar creature, she is not evil.

[edit] Gallery

Lubok picture

Postcard, 1908

Viktor Vasnetsov's Sirin (left) and Alkonost (right) Birds of Joy and Sorrow (1896)

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Alkonost

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v • d • e Slavic mythology

Major gods	Dazbog • Jarilo • Morana • Perun • Šiwa • Svantevit • Svarog/Svarogich • Triglav • Veles • Zaria • The Zorya

Other gods	Belobog • Berstuk • Chernobog • Dziewona • Hors • Flins • Karewit • Mat Zemlya • Mokosh • Oźwiena • Perperuna • Porenut • Porewit • Porvata • Radigost • Rod • Rugiewit • Stribog • Zirnitra • Złota Baba

Legendary heroes	Alyosha Popovich • Bash Chelik • Burislav • Dobrynya Nikitich • Ilya Muromets • Ivan Tsarevich • Lech, Czech and Rus • Libuše • Popiel • Prince Marko • Sadko

Magical creatures and plants	Alkonost • Cikavac • Firebird • Fern-flower • Gamayun • Raskovnik • Simargl • Sirin • Zmey

Spirits and demons	Ala • Baba Yaga • Bagiennik • Bannik • Bies • Boginki • Bukavac • Domovoi • Drekavac • Karzełek • Kikimora • Koschei • Lady midday • Leshiy • Likho • Polevik • Rusalka • Skrzak • Solovey-Razboynik • Stuhać • Sudice • Vila • Topielec • Vampir • Vodyanoy • Zduhać

Other	Films based on Slavic mythology