Sirin, Alkonost, Gamayun are birds of ancient legends and tales. Russian chronicles mention them, their images are preserved among illustrations to ancient handwritten books, on jewelry Kievan Rus, in the carvings of white stone cathedrals of the Vladimir-Suzdal land far from Kyiv (Dmitrovsky Cathedral in Vladimir - 1212, St. George's Cathedral in Yuryev-Podolsky - 1230). Who are they, these mysterious bird-maidens from the Paradise or, in other words, the Solar Garden, and how did they get into Russian culture?

Maiden birds are not the only fantastic creatures familiar to Slavic beliefs. They also knew the Centaur (Kitovras) - a man-horse shooting from a bow, the Griffin - a winged lion with the head of an eagle, the Dragon - a winged serpent. All these miracle animals are associated with the legends and art of the East. The fairy-tale images of the East made a difficult and long journey before they reached Rus'. Along the Khvalynsky (Caspian) Sea, and then along the Slavic River, as eastern merchants then called the Volga, ships sailed from India and Persia, loaded with various goods, decorated with drawings in which fantastic herbs, flowers, animals and birds were intertwined. Along the tributaries of the Volga, sometimes by water and sometimes by drag, they were sent to all directions of Rus'. In addition to the Volga, there was a second route connecting Kievan Rus with the East - this was the route along the Dnieper and the Black Sea. The port of Korsun (Chersonese) was noisy and busy - near modern Sevastopol. Korsun merchants not only controlled all trade with the East, but also told Russian people about distant countries, about the myths and legends they heard there.

Sirin and Alkonost. Artist V. Vasnetsov

Bird Sirin

Sirin [from Greek. seirēn, Wed siren] - bird-maiden. In Russian spiritual poems, she, descending from heaven to earth, enchants people with her singing; in Western European legends, she is the embodiment of an unfortunate soul. Derived from the Greek Sirens. In Slavic mythology, a wonderful bird, whose singing disperses sadness and melancholy; is only happy people. Sirin is one of the birds of paradise, even its very name is consonant with the name of paradise: Iriy. However, these are by no means the bright Alkonost and Gamayun. Sirin is a dark bird, a dark force, a messenger of the ruler of the underworld.

Sometimes the beautiful bird Sirin appears in the form real bird, without any human components. Her feathers are covered with an invisible mass, symbolizing the Elements. “Her wings were white with blue and red stripes, like caramel, her beak was soft purple, pointed, blade-like, and her eyes were bright, green, the color of young leaves, and wise, supportive.”

Sirin in ancient Russian folklore is a large, strong, motley bird maiden with large breasts, a stern face and a crown on her head.
An analogue and even most likely a predecessor of the Russian Sirin are the Greek Sirens, who with their magical singing captivated sailors and their ships perished in the depths of the sea. The first person who heard the singing of the Sirens and remained alive was Odysseus, who covered the ears of his companions with wax and ordered himself to be tied to the mast. The Argonauts also passed safely past the island of Sirens, but only because Orpheus diverted their attention from the “sweet-voiced” with his singing. According to another myth, the Sirens - sea maidens of extraordinary beauty - were part of the retinue of the goddess Demeter, who was angry with them for not helping her daughter Persephone, kidnapped by Hades, and endowed them with bird legs. True, there is another version of this myth: the Sirens themselves asked to give them a bird's appearance so that it would be easier for them to find Persephone.

Sirin on a grape tree 1710

According to the description of ancient Russian beliefs, the sweet-voiced Sirin bird, like the destructive seabirds-maidens Sirens, also befuddled travelers with its sad song and carried them away into the kingdom of death. In a later period, these features were supplanted, and the Russian Sirin was endowed with magical functions of a protective nature, personifying beauty, happiness and the joy of being. And the bearer of misfortunes and misfortunes, according to Russian mythology, was considered a fantastic bird with a female face - the Bird of Resentment, which, unlike Sirin and Alkonost, was depicted with outstretched wings, dispersing good, bright times. The messenger of misfortune was also Div or Ptich - an angry bird with outstretched wings, sitting on the top of a tree.

The oldest images of Sirin in Russian art are considered to be drawings on jewelry of Kievan Rus, mainly on gold kolta (hanging pendants or temple rings in women's headdresses) and. Images of Sirin have been preserved on ancient cabinet doors, chests, watering dishes, and birch bark boxes. Next to Sirin, the Slavs often painted another mythical bird - Alkonost.

Alkanost

Bird Alkonost

Alkonost (alkonst, alkonos) - in Russian and Byzantine medieval legends bird of paradise maiden the sun god Khorsa, who brings happiness. According to the legend of the 17th century, the alkonost is near heaven and when he sings, he does not feel himself. Alkonost consoles the saints with his singing, announcing to them the future life. Alkonost lays eggs on the seashore and, plunging them into the depths of the sea, makes it calm for 7 days. Alkonost’s singing is so beautiful that those who hear it forget about everything in the world.

The image of Alkonost goes back to the Greek myth of Alcyone, who was transformed into a kingfisher. This fabulous bird of paradise became known from ancient Russian literature and popular prints.

Alkonost is depicted as a half-woman, half-bird with large multi-colored feathers (wings), human hands and a body. A maiden head, overshadowed by a crown and a halo, in which a short inscription is sometimes placed. In his hands he holds flowers of paradise or an unfolded scroll with an explanatory inscription. The legend about the Alkonost bird echoes the legend about the Sirin bird and even partially repeats it. The origins of these images should be sought in the myth of the sirens. There is a caption under one of the popular prints with her image: “Alkonost resides near paradise, sometimes on the Euphrates River. When he gives up his voice in singing, then he doesn’t even feel himself. And whoever is close then will forget everything in the world: then the mind leaves him, and the soul leaves the body.” Only the bird Sirin can compare with Alkonost in sweet sound.

Alkonost is also considered the bird of Dawn, which controls the winds and weather. It is believed that on Kolyada (winter solstice) Alkonost gives birth to children at the “edge of the sea”, and then there is no wind for seven days. The earliest image of Alkonost is found among the miniatures and headpieces of the Yuryev Gospel of 1120-1128 - one of the oldest monuments of Russian writing, which was made in Kyiv by order of the Yuryev Monastery of ancient Novgorod. Alkonost is depicted with arms and wings at the same time and with a flower in his hand.

Why is it that on such significant, expensive objects one could most often see the maiden birds - Sirin and Alkonost? The answer to this question is given by the ancient pagan beliefs of the Slavs, when people worshiped Nature and its elements: they prayed to the sun, rain, wind, revered fire, and endowed plants, animals and birds with protective properties. Among birds, the Sun Bird was especially revered - strong bird with outstretched wings and rays extending from it in all directions, and the Duck is an ancient Slavic symbol of the cleansing power of Water. It was believed, for example, that the Sun Bird and the Duck, connected on two sides of one colt, could protect a woman from harm. The simultaneous combination of these two birds is also present in the image of the solar god Khors.

Since 988, Christianity, which was forcibly implanted among the pagan Slavs, became the new religion of the princely power in Rus'. The first step towards this was the destruction of pagan gods and the prohibition of magical images on clothing. By order of Prince Vladimir, with the gathering of all the people in Kyiv, all the sanctuaries were destroyed, and Perun and Veles were thrown from the steep bank into the Dnieper. The same fate befell the stone Perun on the Zbruch River, which at the end of the last century was found in the talus of a steep bank, and is now kept in the halls of the museum in Krakow as a rare and valuable monument of antiquity. In return for the destroyed cult symbols, the Christian Church promised the people the protection of a new god and saints, who at that time were still alien to the Slavs. But is it possible to unquestioningly accept and love your “stepmother” when before your eyes, under “her name and banners,” such an act of vandalism was carried out against your “natural mother”?! Of course not. The Christian Church, having shown treachery and violence, met resistance from the pagan Russians in response and was forced to make many concessions. The church calendar was compiled in such a way that the most important Christian holidays coincided in time with pagan ones. The most revered were those saints who took on the features of pagan deities. For example, the image of the great goddess Mother Earth was embodied in the image of the Mother of God or the Mother of God, St. George the Victorious became the personification of the solar god Khors and Dazhbog, Elijah the Prophet corresponded to the god of thunder and lightning Perun, the patron of cattle Vlasiy became the successor of the pagan Veles.

The situation was exactly the same with magical signs in the form of birds on household items and jewelry. The image of a bird, starting from ancient times, was such a familiar talisman and widespread character of the Slavs that, by destroying this protective symbolism, the Christian Church was forced to give people new patrons in their familiar appearance. Sirin and Alkonost replaced the Sun Bird and the Duck, while the mythical maiden birds began to be depicted with a halo or radiance above their heads - a sign of holiness in the Christian religion. Gradually, the image of the Sirin bird, under the influence of Christian and pagan beliefs, began to be considered by the people as heavenly, i.e. divine, and endow with extraordinary qualities: brightness, radiance, unearthly beauty, wonderful singing and kindness. The image of Sirin in Russian art has become widespread; it is quite often found on the surface of various products of the 14th-17th centuries. Alkonost comes across much less frequently. Perhaps over time, the differences between them were forgotten, and they merged into one image of the Fairytale Bird, in which, as a symbol of beauty, the Russian man saw his own dream of kindness, beauty and happiness.

The most common composition of ancient Slavic pagan art associated with the image of these two birds is their placement on two sides of the same tree, branch or leaf. According to researchers, this comes from the first legends about the origin of the world. One of them says that among the endless expanses of water, which were the beginning of all beginnings, there stood a tall, mighty tree - most likely, this is an expression familiar to many - “on the Sea-Ocean, on the island of Buyan, there is an Oak tree.” From two birds that built a nest on that Oak tree, it began new life on the ground. The tree of life became a symbol of all living things, and the two birds guarding it became a symbol of goodness, procreation and family happiness. The whole image as a whole meant life and well-being.

Until the beginning of the 20th century, both maiden birds were often found in folk popular prints sold at bazaars and fairs, on peasant household items, in wooden carvings, on painted spinning wheels and dishes, in drawings on homespun canvas, in folk embroidery and lace. Currently, all this is mainly stored in museums, but still in the Russian countryside you can see houses decorated with carved boards, where among the curling shoots and leaves you can find the mysterious birds of paradise - Sirin and Alkonost.

Prophetic birds, born in the mists of time and preserved in the memory of the people, inspired the lover of Russian antiquity, artist V. M. Vasnetsov, to create the painting “Sirin and Alkonost. Fairytale birds, songs of joy and sadness" (1896).

Gamayun bird

Gamayun is, according to Slavic mythology, a prophetic bird, a messenger of God Veles, his herald, singing divine hymns to people and foreshadowing the future for those who know how to hear the secret. Gamayun knows everything in the world about the origin of earth and sky, gods and heroes, people and monsters, birds and animals. When Gamayun flies from sunrise, a deadly storm arrives.

Her name comes from the word “gam” or “kam”, which means “noise”, hence the words “kamlat”, “shaman”. In the Belarusian language the word “gamanits” means “to speak”, “to talk”. In the ancient Russian tradition, the Gamayun bird served Veles, Krysh, Kolyada and Dazhbog, and it also “sang” the “Starry Book of the Vedas”.

Painting by Vasnetsov

Originally - from Eastern (Persian) mythology. Depicted with a woman's head and breasts. The collection of myths “Songs of the Gamayun Bird” tells about the initial events in Slavic mythology - the creation of the world and the birth of pagan gods. The word "gamayun" comes from "gamayun" - to lull (obviously, because these legends also served as bedtime stories for children). In the mythology of ancient Iranians there is an analogue - the bird of joy Humayun. “Songs” are divided into chapters - “Tangles”.

The anxiety and sadness of this bird were conveyed by Vasnetsov in the film “Gamayun - the prophetic bird” (1897). This anxiety, excitement and prophetic gift of the things of the bird looking from the picture inspired Alexander Blok to create a poem of the same name:

Gamayun - bird on the tree
On the surface of endless waters,
Sunset in purple,
She speaks and sings
Unable to lift the troubled ones with wings...

The yoke of the evil Tatars is broadcast,
Broadcasts a series of bloody executions,
And coward, and hunger, and fire,
The strength of the villains, the death of the right...

Embraced by eternal horror,
The beautiful face burns with love,
But things ring true
Mouths clotted with blood!...

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The white-flammable Alatyr stone stands, and on that stone grows an apple tree with rejuvenating apples. The wonderful tree is guarded by the prophetic bird Gamayun, which bestows happiness and predicts the future - to people who are ready to accept it. Helps with practical advice, and gives hope for a glorious outcome of military exploits. For others, the bird of paradise can inspire sadness and tell about death.

About the name

In accordance with the main version, the name Slavic bird Gamayun has Iranian roots, and comes from the word “humayun”, which means “happy”, “good”. Interesting! But not a single source says how "humayun" turned into the final version known to us.

However, in many Old Russian dialects you can find the word “gamayun”, which means a talkative, talkative person. Perhaps this is where the key to the name of the paradise feathered creature, which was distinguished by its love for long conversations, lies.

A little history

The Gamayun bird was first mentioned in Slavic mythology in the 15th century. In the works of a Byzantine merchant to be more precise. In his treatise called “Christian Topography,” he writes about a bird of paradise without wings or paws, flying with its tail and never touching the ground. If she needs rest, she grabs tree branches with the help of feathers. The bird Gamayun visited the fabulous islands located in the eastern sea, not far from paradise.

Such fictions were based on the fact that at the beginning of the 16th century, stuffed birds without wings and legs were popular in Europe. They were called birds of paradise, but in fact, the severed body parts of these creatures were used as amulets against evil forces.

Later, Gamayun began to be depicted with the head and chest of a beautiful maiden. The body remained that of a bird. Some sources say that this wonderful creature could turn into a beautiful girl with amazing multi-colored hair and a magical voice.

The image of the Gamayun bird was formed quickly and became quite popular. He managed to earn a continuation in fairy tales, painting and music, because he was perceived as a symbol of eternal happiness and prophecy.

Songs and Tales of the Bird of Paradise

We can talk about this in a little more detail. The bird Gamayun was the embodiment of the wisdom of Veles himself - the god of luck and fertility. She could tell you about everything in the world! About the sky and earth, about the stars and the night, as well as about many other things beyond the control of ordinary people.

She was the one who could sing the golden book of the Vedas in a sweet voice. This is the most beautiful song of the Gamayun bird! She also had the power to teach people divine hymns so that the gods would hear the requests of mortals; show how to speak on their behalf with those who deserve it.

It was believed that if a heavenly feathered creature flies low and touches a person’s head with its wings, good luck will accompany him in everything. But, in addition to fortune, patronage and protection, Gamayun could predict the future. And if someone managed to get her pen, then he received fame and fortune.

The Tale of the Glorious Hunter

There is one interesting legend that mentions a wonderful bird. They say that there once lived a famous hunter whose arrows never missed. One day he saw a wondrous bird. She had an extraordinary color! He realized that the prophetic bird Gamayun was in front of him. This is an amazing creature with wonderful feathers. The hunter pulled the bowstring and was about to shoot, but he saw in the bird’s paws a birch bark bundle on which was written: “You will go around the whole world with untruth, but you will not return back.” I hesitated, reading the inscription, I saw him wonderful bird, and lulled me to sleep.

The hunter is sleeping, and it seems to him that Gamayun is speaking to him with a magical voice. He asks what will he choose? True or False. The man chose the second, since the lie promised power and glory, and, when he woke up, he set off to travel the world.

The hunter became a rich and famous man, he wanted to return home, see his loved ones and share the joy of good luck, but he could not find his home. Then he remembered the magic bird, and he also remembered the words written on the birch bark bundle: “You will go around the whole world with untruth, but you will not return back.”

Since then, many of Gamayun’s fairy tales and songs begin with these words. The bird of paradise loved to tell about Reality, Nav and Rule - three parts of the world. She sang about how the Fiery Volkh was born, how he defeated his father, how he took Lelya as his wife, how the glorious Perun fought with the Skipper beast, about where the Russian family and the laws of Svarog came from, and about much more.

Mythology

There is a tale about the appearance of the things of the bird Gamayun. They say that the earth was reborn and appeared, and Buyan Island grew in the middle of the sea-ocean. There were many wonderful trees on that island. The duck Rhoda swam to Buyan and laid eggs of gold, silver, and iron. Different birds hatched from them, but not simple ones, but magical ones.

In Slavic mythology, a magic bird, in addition to good luck and happiness, could inspire sadness and become not only a predictor of death, but also a guide to the kingdom of the dead. Having a wonderful voice, she could “gamayun”, that is, lull. There is a belief that the prophetic bird controlled the weather, flying from east to west, from sunrise to sunset, carrying with it a terrible storm. The water in the seas and oceans is boiling, forests and fields are burning. Thus, Gamayun reminds people of the meaning of existence and highest values.

She also loves to visit the sacred gardens of Iria, where she has long conversations with other fairy-tale birds, telling them about people and gods.

The "opposite" of the heavenly creature

Everyone has long known that in contrast to good there is always evil, and vice versa. This case is no exception.

The opposite of the wonderful Gamayun is the Sirin bird. She is a product of the world of Navi, the kingdom of the dead.

An interesting fact is that Alkonost and Sirin, other birds that lived in paradise, were never depicted on popular prints together with Gamayun.

Meeting things with a bird

Many people have wondered: where can you find the Gamayun bird and how to call it? After all, meeting her was a dream for many. Naturally, without a special approach this was impossible. But there were special conspiracies. Here is one of them: “Fly, Gamayun, bird of prophecy, across the open sea, through high mountains, through a dark forest, across a clear field. Sing, Gamayun, prophetic bird, at the white dawn, on a steep mountain, on a broom bush, on a raspberry twig.”

The following option was also often used: “Prophetic bird, wise bird, you know a lot, you know a lot... You tell me, Gamayun, sing and tell us... Why was the whole White Light conceived? How did the Red Sun begin? The month is bright and stars are frequent, why, tell me, were they born? And they blew like wild winds? Have you flared up like clear dawns?”

But pronouncing the spell did not guarantee the appearance of a wonderful feathered creature. The bird of paradise appeared only to those who were known as kind and worthy people.

Gamayun in heraldry and art

The mysterious and bright image of the bird of paradise excited the imagination of many artists, writers and poets. Therefore, it is not surprising that many artists depicted her on their canvases and sang her in poetry and songs.

B. Vasnetsov in his painting endowed the image of the bird with a tragic meaning, depicting it in dark colors with a beautiful gloomy face.

For the poetess Anna Akhmatova, Gamayun leads the traveler astray from the right path and instills sadness and melancholy.

Vladimir Vysotsky gives her a symbol of hope that can awaken Russia from sleep.

With a face seized with horror and with dried blood on her lips, A. Blok shows her in his poem “Gamayun - the prophetic bird.”

It is also depicted in A on the coat of arms of the city of Mikhailovsk, located in the same region, the bird is shown with a human face.

The image of Gamayun in heraldry means the pursuit of happiness, the culture of the people, protection from wars, patronage and revival.

Did the bird of paradise really exist? The answer to this question does not exist in any source of Russian folklore. But her image is present in almost all genres of Slavic mythology. It is a kind of allegory to the unity of the Family, a connecting thread between living and departed generations. It’s not for nothing that Gamayun is called the bird of paradise, the mediator between people and gods.

(alkonst, alkonos) - in Russian and Byzantine medieval legends, a bird of paradise-maiden who brings happiness. The image of Alkonost goes back to the Greek myth of Alcyone, who was transformed by the gods into a kingfisher. This fabulous bird of paradise became known from the monuments of ancient Russian literature (Palea of ​​the 14th century, alphabet books of the 16th-17th centuries) and popular prints. Its name and image, which first appeared in translated monuments, are the result of a misunderstanding. The Greek source refers to the kingfisher (Greek: αλκιων). When rewriting initial words of the Slavic text “alkyon is (bird)” turned into “alkonost”.
According to the legend of the 17th century, Alkonost is near heaven and when he sings, he does not feel himself. Alkonost consoles the saints with his singing, announcing to them the future life. Alkonost lays eggs on the seashore and, plunging them into the depths of the sea, makes it calm for 6 days. Alkonost’s singing is so beautiful that those who hear it forget about everything in the world.

Alkonost is depicted in Russian popular prints as a half-woman, half-bird with large multi-colored feathers (wings), human hands and a body. A maiden head, overshadowed by a crown and a halo, which sometimes contains a short inscription. In his hands he holds flowers of paradise or an unfolded scroll with an explanatory inscription.

ALKONOST and SIRIN - in Russian medieval legends, mythical bird sisters, residents of Vyria (paradise).
Both Alkonost and Sirinus were usually represented as birds with a woman's head and a beautiful face.

Legends about the miraculous voice of the Sirin and Alkonost were widespread. For example, in some places it was believed that the singing of these birds was so beautiful that it could bewitch a person and make him forget about everything in the world. At the same time, some beliefs called the alkonost the bird of joy, and the sirina the bird of sadness; The singing of the alkonost was considered beautiful, but harmless, and the singing of the Sirin was considered destructively enchanting: a person, having heard it, seemed to forget about everything in the world and soon die, and death was desired for him at that moment. Perhaps this belief reflected echoes of the Greek myth about sirens - creatures with amazing voices, whose singing made sailors forget about the purpose of the journey and rush into the sea - to their death.
The legends about the Sirin and the Alkonost were, apparently, not originally Russian and were most likely of Byzantine origin, although in Rus' they very soon merged with local legends and beliefs.
http://sueverija.narod.ru/Muzei/Sirin.ht

The bird of paradise Sirin sings so sweetly that a person forgets about everything and dies.
Sirin is afraid of loud noises and, to scare her away, people shoot from cannons.
It is this plot that is presented in the following pictures.

In Russian spiritual poems, she, descending from heaven to earth, enchants people with her singing; in Western European legends, she is the embodiment of an unfortunate soul. Derived from the Greek Sirens. In Slavic mythology, a wonderful bird, whose singing disperses sadness and melancholy; appears only to happy people. Sirin is one of the birds of paradise, even its very name is consonant with the name of paradise: Iriy. Sirin is a dark bird, a dark force, a messenger of the ruler of the underworld.

Gamayun- according to Slavic mythology, a prophetic bird, a messenger of the god Veles, his herald, singing divine hymns to people and foreshadowing the future for those who know how to hear the secret. Gamayun knows everything in the world about the origin of earth and sky, gods and heroes, people and monsters, birds and animals. When Gamayun flies from sunrise, a deadly storm arrives.

Originally from Eastern (Persian) mythology. It was depicted with a woman's head and breasts. In the mythology of the ancient Iranians there is an analogue - the bird of joy Humayun.

The collection of myths “Songs of the Gamayun Bird” tells about the initial events in Slavic mythology - the creation of the world and the birth of pagan gods. The songs are divided into chapters - “Tangles”. http://www.dazzle.ru/spec/ppg/ppg.shtml
The word "gamayun" comes from "gamayun" - to lull (obviously because these legends also served as bedtime stories for children)

In general, the mythical birds are: Alkonost, Raven, Gamayun, Geese-Swans, Firebird, Sirin,
Stratim, Fear Bird, Duck, Phoenix.

Alkonost

The wonderful bird Alkonost, or Halcyon, with a female appearance and similar to a kingfisher, lives either on the banks of the Euphrates, or on the island of Buyan, or in the ancient Slavic paradise of Iria. The fabulously beautiful creature lays its eggs on the seabed, at the edge of the sea, and for seven days, until the chicks are born, according to legend, the weather is calm and windless. Alkonost is a bird of goodness and sadness. It does not pose any danger to humans, but on the contrary, it mourns those killed on the field after the battle. And Alkonost’s singing, similar to love itself, is so beautiful that whoever hears it can forget everything in the world.

Sirin

Another bird of paradise - Sirina, reminiscent of the ancient Greek Sirens - is usually attributed to dark forces. Outwardly, she is very similar to Alkonost and is his frequent companion. However, despite the fact that, unlike Alkonost, Sirin sings songs of Joy, promising soon-to-come bliss, his singing is destructive for people, because after hearing it, you can lose your mind.

Gamayun

The prophetic Gamayun bird is a wise messenger of the Slavic gods and a harbinger of happiness. Her name probably comes from the old word “gamayun”, that is, to lull. Gamayun's cry is good news, and she sings divine songs to people. Gamayun knows about everything in the world, knows the secrets about the origin of the earth and sky and is ready to tell about the future to everyone who knows how to understand the secret. In Slavic mythology, it was customary to turn to her for advice. According to popular beliefs, this miracle bird was born along with our world and its purpose is to remind people of the highest values ​​of existence.

Stratem

The mysterious and gigantic Stratim-bird, also known as the Straphil-bird, is the archetype of the progenitor, the mother of all birds. She lives on the sea-ocean and holds the whole white world under her right wing. Stratim personified the most terrible and permissive forces of nature. She will flap her wing - the sea will become agitated, she will scream - a storm will rise, and if she will fly - she will cover the white light... Ships will sink in the sea, the deepest abysses will open up, cities and forests will disappear under water.

Firebird

The most famous and late bird in the world of Russian folk fantasy is the Firebird, which has adopted some properties of many other fairy-tale birds. Its prototype was obviously Phoenix. Resembling a peacock, she also lives in the beautiful Garden of Eden of Iria in a golden cage, from which she flies out only at night. Its golden feathers are capable of shining in the darkness and amaze human vision, but at the same time, the Firebird returns the ability to see to the blind, and its singing heals the sick. At the same time, when she sings, pearls fall from her beak. The Firebird feeds on golden apples, which give her eternal youth, beauty and immortality. Maybe that's why she was hunted fairy-tale heroes, and musicians and artists sang it in their works.

ancient Russian, Egyptian and Iranian myths and legends

Sirin, Alkonost, Gamayun are birds of ancient legends and tales. They are mentioned in Russian chronicles, their images are preserved among illustrations to ancient handwritten books, on jewelry of Kievan Rus, in the carvings of white-stone cathedrals of the Vladimir-Suzdal land far from Kyiv (Dmitrov Cathedral in Vladimir - 1212, St. George's Cathedral in Yuryev-Podolsk - 1230 year). Who are they, these mysterious bird-maidens from the Paradise or, in other words, the Solar Garden, and how did they get into Russian culture?
Maiden birds are not the only fantastic creatures familiar to Slavic beliefs. They also knew the Centaur (Kitovras) - a man-horse that shoots a bow, the Griffin - a winged lion with the head of an eagle, the Dragon - a winged serpent. All these miracle animals are associated with the legends and art of the East. The fairy-tale images of the East made a difficult and long journey before they reached Rus'. Along the Khvalynsky (Caspian) Sea, and then along the Slavic River, as eastern merchants then called the Volga, ships sailed from India and Persia, loaded with various goods, decorated with drawings in which fantastic herbs, flowers, animals and birds were intertwined. Along the tributaries of the Volga, sometimes by water and sometimes by drag, they were sent to all directions of Rus'. In addition to the Volga, there was a second route connecting Kievan Rus with the East - this was the route along the Dnieper and the Black Sea. The port of Korsun (Chersonese) was noisy and busy - near modern Sevastopol. Korsun merchants not only controlled all trade with the East, but also told Russian people about distant countries, about the myths and legends they heard there.

Sirin and Alkonost - guardians of the Tree of Life

Sirin and Alkonost. Artist V. Vasnetsov.

Sirin [from Greek. seirēn, Wed siren] - bird-maiden. In Russian spiritual poems, she, descending from heaven to earth, enchants people with her singing; in Western European legends, she is the embodiment of an unfortunate soul. Derived from the Greek Sirens. In Slavic mythology, a wonderful bird, whose singing disperses sadness and melancholy; appears only to happy people. Sirin is one of the birds of paradise, even its very name is consonant with the name of paradise: Iriy. However, these are by no means the bright Alkonost and Gamayun. Sirin is a dark bird, a dark force, a messenger of the ruler of the underworld.

Sometimes the beautiful bird Sirin is found in the form of a real bird, without any human components. Her feathers are covered with an invisible mass, symbolizing the Elements. “Her wings were white with blue and red stripes, like caramel, her beak was soft purple, pointed, blade-like, and her eyes were bright, green, the color of young leaves, and wise, benevolent.”

Sirin in ancient Russian folklore - a large, strong, motley bird maiden with large breasts, a stern face and a crown on her head.
An analogue and even most likely a predecessor of the Russian Sirin are the Greek Sirens, who captivated sailors with their magical singing, and their ships perished in the depths of the sea. The first person who heard the singing of the Sirens and remained alive was Odysseus, who covered the ears of his companions with wax and ordered himself to be tied to the mast. The Argonauts also passed safely past the island of the Sirens, but only because Orpheus diverted their attention from the “sweet-voiced” with his singing. According to another myth, the Sirens - sea maidens of extraordinary beauty - were part of the retinue of the goddess Demeter, who was angry with them for not helping her daughter Persephone, who was kidnapped by Hades, and endowed them with bird legs. True, there is another version of this myth: the Sirens themselves asked to give them a bird's appearance so that it would be easier for them to find Persephone.

Sirin on a grape tree 1710

According to the description of ancient Russian beliefs, the sweet-voiced Sirin bird, like the destructive seabirds-maidens Sirens, also befuddled travelers with its sad song and carried them away into the kingdom of death. In a later period, these features were supplanted, and the Russian Sirin was endowed with magical functions of a protective nature, personifying beauty, happiness and the joy of being. And the bearer of misfortunes and misfortunes, according to Russian mythology, was considered a fantastic bird with a female face - the Bird of Resentment, which, unlike Sirin and Alkonost, was depicted with outstretched wings, dispersing good, bright times. The messenger of misfortune was also Div or Ptich - an angry bird with outstretched wings, sitting on the top of a tree.
The oldest images of Sirin in Russian art are considered to be drawings on jewelry from Kievan Rus, mainly on gold kolta (dangling pendants or temple rings in women's headdresses) and silver wrist bracelets. Images of Sirin have been preserved on ancient cabinet doors, chests, watering dishes, and birch bark boxes. Next to Sirin, the Slavs often painted another mythical bird - Alkonost.

Alkanost

Alkonost(alkonst, alkonos) - in Russian and Byzantine medieval legends, the bird of paradise-maiden of the sun god Khors, who brings happiness. According to the legend of the 17th century, the alkonost is near heaven and when he sings, he does not feel himself. Alkonost consoles the saints with his singing, announcing to them the future life. Alkonost lays eggs on the seashore and, plunging them into the depths of the sea, makes it calm for 7 days. Alkonost’s singing is so beautiful that those who hear it forget about everything in the world.

The image of Alkonost goes back to the Greek myth of Alcyone, who was transformed by the gods into a kingfisher. This fabulous bird of paradise became known from ancient Russian literature and popular prints.

Alkonost is depicted as a half-woman, half-bird with large multi-colored feathers (wings), human hands and a body. A maiden head, overshadowed by a crown and a halo, in which a short inscription is sometimes placed. In his hands he holds flowers of paradise or an unfolded scroll with an explanatory inscription. The legend about the Alkonost bird echoes the legend about the Sirin bird and even partially repeats it. The origins of these images should be sought in the myth of the sirens. There is a caption under one of the popular prints with her image: “Alkonost resides near paradise, sometimes on the Euphrates River. When he gives up his voice in singing, then he doesn’t even feel himself. And whoever is close then will forget everything in the world: then the mind leaves him, and the soul leaves the body.” Only the bird Sirin can compare with Alkonost in sweet sound.

Alkonost They are also considered the bird of Dawn, which controls the winds and weather. It is believed that on Kolyada (winter solstice) Alkonost gives birth to children at the “edge of the sea”, and then there is no wind for seven days. The earliest image of Alkonost is found among the miniatures and headpieces of the Yuryev Gospel of 1120-1128 - one of the oldest monuments of Russian writing, which was made in Kyiv by order of the Yuryev Monastery of ancient Novgorod. Alkonost is depicted with arms and wings at the same time and with a flower in his hand.

Why is it that on such significant, expensive objects it was most often possible to see the maiden birds - Sirin and Alkonost? The answer to this question is given by the ancient pagan beliefs of the Slavs, when people worshiped Nature and its elements: they prayed to the sun, rain, wind, revered fire, and endowed plants, animals and birds with protective properties. Among the birds, the Sun Bird, a strong bird with outstretched wings and rays extending from it in all directions, and the Duck, an ancient Slavic symbol of the cleansing power of Water, were especially revered. It was believed, for example, that the Sun Bird and the Duck, connected on two sides of one colt, could protect a woman from harm. The simultaneous combination of these two birds is also present in the image of the solar god Khors.
Since 988, Christianity, which was forcibly implanted among the pagan Slavs, became the new religion of the princely power in Rus'. The first step towards this was the destruction of pagan gods and the prohibition of magical images on household items and clothing. By order of Prince Vladimir, with the gathering of all the people in Kyiv, all the sanctuaries were destroyed, and Perun and Veles were thrown from the steep bank into the Dnieper. The same fate befell the stone Perun on the Zbruch River, which at the end of the last century was found in the talus of a steep bank, and is now kept in the halls of the museum in Krakow as a rare and valuable monument of antiquity. In return for the destroyed cult symbols, the Christian Church promised the people the protection of a new god and saints, who at that time were still alien to the Slavs. But is it possible to unquestioningly accept and love your “stepmother” when before your eyes, under “her name and banners,” such an act of vandalism was carried out against your “natural mother”?! Of course not. The Christian Church, having shown treachery and violence, met resistance from the pagan Russians in response and was forced to make many concessions. The church calendar was compiled in such a way that the most important Christian holidays coincided in time with pagan ones. The most revered were those saints who took on the features of pagan deities. For example, the image of the great goddess Mother Earth was embodied in the image of the Mother of God or the Mother of God, St. George the Victorious became the personification of the solar god Khors and Dazhbog, Elijah the Prophet corresponded to the god of thunder and lightning Perun, the patron of cattle Vlasiy became the successor of the pagan Veles.
The situation was exactly the same with magical signs in the form of birds on clothing, household items and jewelry. The image of a bird, starting from ancient times, was such a familiar talisman and widespread character of the Slavs that, by destroying this protective symbolism, the Christian Church was forced to give people new patrons in their familiar appearance. Sirin and Alkonost replaced the Sun Bird and the Duck, while the mythical maiden birds began to be depicted with a halo or radiance above their heads - a sign of holiness in the Christian religion. Gradually, the image of the Sirin bird, under the influence of Christian and pagan beliefs, began to be considered by the people as heavenly, i.e. divine, and endow with extraordinary qualities: brightness, radiance, unearthly beauty, wonderful singing and kindness. The image of Sirin in Russian art has become widespread; it is quite often found on the surface of various products of the 14th-17th centuries. Alkonost comes across much less frequently. Perhaps over time, the differences between them were forgotten, and they merged into one image of the Fairytale Bird, in which, as a symbol of beauty, the Russian man saw his own dream of kindness, beauty and happiness.
The most common composition of ancient Slavic pagan art associated with the image of these two birds is their placement on two sides of the same tree, branch or leaf. According to researchers, this comes from the first legends about the origin of the world. One of them says that among the endless expanses of water, which were the beginning of all beginnings, there stood a tall, mighty tree - most likely, this is an expression familiar to many - “on the Sea-Ocean, on the island of Buyan, there is an Oak tree.” From two birds that built a nest on that Oak, a new life on earth began. The tree of life became a symbol of all living things, and the two birds guarding it became a symbol of goodness, procreation and family happiness. The whole image as a whole meant life and well-being.
Until the beginning of the 20th century, both maiden birds were often found in folk popular prints sold at bazaars and fairs, on peasant household items, in wooden carvings, on painted spinning wheels and dishes, in drawings on homespun canvas, in folk embroidery and lace. Currently, all this is mainly stored in museums, but you can still see in the Russian countryside houses decorated with carved boards, where among the curling shoots and leaves you can find the mysterious birds of paradise - Sirin and Alkonost.

Prophetic birds, born in the mists of time and preserved by the memory of the people, inspired the lover of Russian antiquity, artist V. M. Vasnetsov, to create the painting “Sirin and Alkonost. Fairytale birds, songs of joy and sadness" (1896).

Gamayun - bird of prophecy

Gamayun is, according to Slavic mythology, a prophetic bird, a messenger of the god Veles, his herald, singing divine hymns to people and foreshadowing the future for those who know how to hear the secret. Gamayun knows everything in the world about the origin of earth and sky, gods and heroes, people and monsters, birds and animals. When Gamayun flies from sunrise, a deadly storm arrives.

Her name comes from the word “gam” or “kam”, which means “noise”, hence the words “to perform”, “shaman”. In the Belarusian language the word “gamanits” means “to speak”, “to talk”. In the ancient Russian tradition, the Gamayun bird served Veles, Krysh, Kolyada and Dazhbog, and it also “sang” the “Starry Book of the Vedas”.

Originally from Eastern (Persian) mythology. Depicted with a woman's head and breasts. The collection of myths “Songs of the Gamayun Bird” tells about the initial events in Slavic mythology - the creation of the world and the birth of pagan gods. The word "gamayun" comes from "gamayun" - to lull (obviously because these legends also served as bedtime stories for children). In the mythology of ancient Iranians there is an analogue - the bird of joy Humayun. “Songs” are divided into chapters - “Tangles”.

painting by Vasnetsov

The anxiety and sadness of this bird were conveyed by Vasnetsov in the film “Gamayun - the prophetic bird” (1897). This anxiety, excitement and prophetic gift of the things of the bird looking from the picture inspired Alexander Blok to create a poem of the same name:

Gamayun - bird on the tree
On the surface of endless waters,
Sunset in purple,
She speaks and sings
Unable to lift the troubled ones with wings....

The yoke of the evil Tatars is broadcast,
Broadcasts a series of bloody executions,
And coward, and hunger, and fire,
The strength of the villains, the destruction of the right...

Embraced by eternal horror,
The beautiful face burns with love,
But things ring true
Mouths clotted with blood!..

Phoenix

Phoenix (possibly from the Greek φοίνιξ, “purple, crimson”) is a mythological bird that has the ability to burn itself. Known in the mythologies of different cultures. It was believed that the phoenix has appearance eagle with bright red plumage. Anticipating death, he burns himself in his own nest, and a chick emerges from the ashes. According to other versions of the myth, he is reborn from the ashes.

According to Herodotus, it is a bird in Assyria. Lives 500 years. Mentioned by many ancient authors. It was generally believed that the Phoenix was a single, unique individual and not a mythological bird species. Later is a symbol of eternal renewal.

in more detail, here in the community:

Bird Bennu (Ben-Ben)

Bennu (Ben-Ben) - in Egyptian mythology, a bird - an analogue of the phoenix. According to legend, it is the soul of the sun god Ra. The name is related to the word "weben", meaning "to shine".

According to legend, Bennu emerged from a fire that burned on a sacred tree in the courtyard of the Temple of Ra. According to another version, Bennu escaped from the heart of Osiris. She was depicted as a gray, blue or white heron with a long beak and a tuft of two feathers, as well as a yellow wagtail or an eagle with red and gold feathers. There are also depictions of Bennu as a man with the head of a heron.

Bennu personified the resurrection from the dead and the annual flooding of the Nile. Symbolized the solar beginning.

Bird Simurgh

Simurgh is a prophetic bird, originally found only in Iranian myths, but later the Turkic tradition also became its habitat (Simurg flew there, leading a flock of peris and devas).

In the new place, Simurgh completely settled down, as evidenced, for example, by the fact of his presence in Uzbek dastans. In fairy-tale dastans, Simurgh is a positive image: a giant bird, as a rule, helps the hero, providing him transport services, - for example, transfers to relatives. In classical Turkic lyrics, the image of Simurgh already carries a different meaning - the mysterious bird lives on Mount Kaf - a mountain range that encircles the earth along the edge and supports the heavens - that is, it lives at the very edge of the world.

The Simurgh is a phantom, no one can see him. In the language of poetry, the expression “to see the Simurgh” means to make an impossible dream come true. This image received further development and a slightly different interpretation in Sufi literature. In “The Conversation of the Birds,” the famous poem by the Persian poet Fariduddin Attar, the Simurgh is an allegorical expression of true knowledge, a symbol of the identity of the creator and the creation. Alisher Navoi presented his version of this poem in the Turkic language, calling it “The Language of Birds.”

In Navoi's poem, the birds go in search of the wise Shah Simurgh, so that he can save them from the suffering of life. Having passed seven valleys (seven steps on the path of improvement), having passed many tests, the birds at the end of their journey reach the lush gardens of unity - the abode of the Simurgh - where in each rose, as if in a mirror, they see their own reflection.

It is revealed to the birds that Shah Simurgh is them, thirty birds (out of a huge flock, only thirty reached the goal). The word “si” in Persian means thirty, “murg” means bird.

The Simurgh and his subjects are united:

He who was raised to unity at once,
The secrets of the one god reached his mind.
The brilliance of the rays of unity will give light to his gaze,
The barrier between “you” and “me” will be destroyed.
(Navoi, “Language of Birds”)

Embodying such abstract ideas, the Simurgh, nevertheless, is not devoid of completely material plumage: the poem “The Language of Birds” tells how, flying over China, he dropped a feather of extraordinary color - sparkling so brightly that all of China (in the poem - the city) dressed in radiance. From that day on, the entire Chinese population acquired a passion for painting. The most virtuoso painter was Mani, the legendary founder of Manichaeism (a religion combining features of Zoroastrianism and Christianity) - in classical eastern poetry Mani is the image of a brilliant artist.

Thus, the Simurgh, in addition to the three above-mentioned hypostases, can also serve as a symbol of art.

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