Tradition / Region: Russian Mythology
Alternative names: Alkonost
Category: Bird
The Myth
The Alkonost is a legendary bird with the body of a bird and the head of a beautiful woman. She dwells in the underworld alongside her counterpart, the Sirin, and is regarded as the sister of other mythical birds such as Rarog and Stratim.
The Alkonost possesses a voice of extraordinary beauty. Anyone who hears her enchanting song forgets everything they once knew and desires nothing else but to continue listening. She also lays her eggs upon the shore before rolling them into the sea. When the eggs hatch, a mighty thunderstorm erupts, churning the sea into such violent waves that it becomes impossible to cross.
According to East Slavic tradition, on the morning of the Apple Feast of the Saviour, the Sirin visits the apple orchards and weeps in sorrow. Later that day, the Alkonost arrives laughing with joy. As she brushes the dew from her wings, the dew falls upon the fruit, granting the apples healing powers.
Sources
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Alkonost. In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkonost