Tradition / Region: Russian Mythology
Alternative names: Triple-Headed Eagle; Öksökö (Yakut and Dolgan)
Category: Bird
The Myth
The Three-Headed Eagle is a legendary giant bird that appears in several Eurasian traditions. Unlike the more familiar two-headed eagle, this fearsome creature possesses three heads, making it an even more formidable supernatural being. In Yakut and Dolgan folklore, it is known as Öksökö, which may have either two or three heads depending on the tale.
In a Chechen fairy tale, the Three-Headed Eagle appears as a monstrous adversary that terrorizes the land until it is confronted by a heroic warrior. After a fierce struggle, the hero slays the giant bird, overcoming one of the greatest dangers of the story and restoring peace.
Although the Three-Headed Eagle later appeared in heraldry and religious literature, its mythological role is that of an immense supernatural eagle whose multiple heads emphasize its extraordinary power and make it a worthy opponent for legendary heroes.
Sources
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Triple-headed eagle. In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple-headed_eagle