firebird

In Russian folklore, the Firebird (жар-птица, zhar-ptitsa, literally fire bird from птица bird Old Russian жар fire) is a magical glowing bird from a faraway land, which is both a blessing and bringer of doom to its captor.

Ivan Bilibin's illustration to a Russian fairy tale about the Firebird (1899)

The Firebird is invariably described as a large bird in majestic plumage that brightly glows in red, orange and yellow light, like a bonfire that is just past the turbulent flame. The feathers do not cease glowing if removed, and one feather can light a large room if not concealed. In later iconography, the form of Firebird is usually as of a smallish peacock of fire colors, complete with a crest on its head and tail feathers with glowing "eyes".

A typical role of the Firebird in fairy tales is an object of difficult quest. The quest is usually initiated by finding a lost tail feather of the Firebird, upon which the hero sets out to find and capture the live bird, sometimes on his own accord, but usually on the bidding of a father or king. The Firebird is a marvel, highly coveted, but the hero, initially charmed by the wonder of the feather, eventually blames it for his troubles.

Prince Ivan returning on a magic carpet with the caged firebird

The Firebird tales follow the classical scheme of fairy tale, with the feather serving as a premonition of hard journey, with magical helpers met on the way, who help in travel and capture of the Bird, and returning from the faraway land with the prize. The most popular version is found in the tale of Ivan Tsarevich and the Grey Wolf.

The story of Firebird quest has inspired literary works, including "The Little Humpback Horse" by Pyotr Yershov. Composer Stravinsky achieved an early success with a large-scale ballet score, The Firebird.

The Firebird concept has parallels in the Iranian legends of magical birds, in the Brothers Grimm's fairy tale about The Golden Bird and the related Russian magical birds like Sirin. The story of the quest itself is closely paralleled by Armenian Hazaran Blbul. In the Armenian tale, however, the bird does not glow but rather makes the land bloom through its song. In the Czech folklore, it is called Pták Ohnivák (Bird Fire-like) and appears e.g. in a Karel Jaromír Erben´s fairy tale, also as an object of difficult quest. Moreover, in the beginning of this fairy tale, the bird steals magical golden apples belonging to a king, and is therefore pursued by the king's servants in order to protect the precious apples.

The story of the firebird comes in many different forms. Some folk tales say that the Firebird is a mystical bird that flies around a king’s castle and at night swoops down and eats all the king's golden apples. Others say that the firebird is just a bird that flies around giving hope to those who need it. Some additions to that legend say that when the firebird flies around his eyes sparkle and pearls fall from his beak. The pearls would then fall to the peasants, giving them something to trade for good or services. The most common version of the legend is a tsar commands his three sons to capture the firebird that keeps flying down from above and eating his apples. The golden apples are in the tsar’s orchard and give youth and strength to all who eat them. The sons end up barely missing the bird but they catch one of his feathers that glows in the night. They take it in a dark room and it lights the room up completely. The mystery of the feather has illuminated hearts of men for many years.

See also

• The Humpbacked Horse (1947 film) - which features a firebird
• Phoenix

External links and Resources

• SurLaLune Fairy Tale Pages: The Annotated Firebird

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