Tradition / Region: Moldova Mythology
Alternative names: The White Bird, Golden-Tailed Bird
Category: Bird
The Myth
The White Bird with the Golden Tail is a mysterious supernatural creature from Moldovan folklore connected with enchanted trees, magical kingdoms, and distant otherworldly realms. It appears first as a radiant white bird with a shining golden tail, but later reveals its true form as a beautiful fairy-like maiden.
The story begins with an Emperor and Empress who longed for a child. After the Empress walked through the Blue Grey Wood at dawn along an untouched path wet with dew, she gave birth to a miraculous son named Break-of-Day. At the same time, an enormous tree began growing in the imperial garden, rising so high that its top disappeared into the sky. At its summit grew three golden apples.
Many warriors tried to climb the tree and failed, but Break-of-Day spent twelve years climbing until he finally reached the top. There he discovered the White Bird with the Golden Tail descending from the sky to eat the apples. Before the creature could devour the last one, Break-of-Day seized the bird by the tail. The bird escaped, leaving behind a golden feather while the prince saved the final apple.
Determined to find the strange being, Break-of-Day journeyed through magical lands and eventually learned from the Black Arab — a powerful supernatural ruler and shapeshifter — that the bird was not truly a bird at all, but a maiden of extraordinary beauty living beyond deadly enchanted barriers.
Her realm was protected by poisonous gardens, magical walls, and powerful curses. When Break-of-Day finally reached her palace, he captured her by the waist while she slept, just as the Black Arab had instructed. But his curiosity awakened ancient powers and brought him into conflict with devils, underworld rulers, and supernatural horse guardians.
Throughout the tale, the White Bird remains connected to gold, light, and transformation. Her palace and gardens could be turned into golden apples, and when the Devil who controlled her finally died, the bird itself transformed completely into a beautiful maiden. She then traveled beside Break-of-Day as his companion and future bride.
The tale presents the White Bird with the Golden Tail as both an elusive sky-creature and an enchanted woman tied to magical kingdoms, impossible journeys, and supernatural trials. She belongs to the distant world above the clouds and beyond mortal lands, appearing first as a radiant bird feeding upon golden fruit high at the top of a tree that touched the heavens.
Sources
Botezatu, G. (1986). Moldavian folk-tales (2nd rev. & enl. ed.). Kishinev: Literatura Artistikă.