Feather
The feather denotes flight and lightness in a single part, weighed against the heart to judge a life, and worn to borrow the bird's power.
Our paraphrase of what the sources say it carries.
At a glance
- Type
- Image
- Group
- Animal World / Birds
- Borne by
- 18 figures
- Traditions
- Chinese mythology (2)Native American folklore (2)Persian mythology (2)Arabian folklore (1) and 11 more
- Borne with
- Bird (15 figures)Color (6 figures)Colors (5 figures)Claw/ Nail (3 figures)
Figures that bear it
A model judged each figure against its own description, one term at a time. Is: the figure is, or is partly, this thing. Bears: it carries the thing or is marked by it. What a figure does is filed under motifs and powers. Open "why" for the sentence the judgement rests on.
- Achiyalabopa bears Pueblo folklore
why
From Pueblo folklore, this bird is covered in arrow-like feathers.
- Amphiptère bears European folklore (general)
why
From medieval bestiaries, the Amphiptere is a winged serpent with feathers.
- Anqa bears Arabian folklore
why
The Anqa's feathers are said to be iridescent, shifting colors like the surface of an opal as it moves.
- Chonchón bears Mapuche mythology
why
From Mapuche mythology, Chonchon is a flying human head with feathers and talons.
- Fachan bears Irish folklore
why
The Fachan is a hideous one-eyed, one-armed, one-legged goblin of Irish and Highland tradition, hidden under a cloak of matted feathers and violent toward all who stray into its wastes.
- Feathered Serpent bears Mesoamerican mythology
why
Prevalent in Mesoamerican cultures, the Feathered Serpent is a snake adorned with quetzal feathers.
- Fenghuang bears Chinese mythology
why
Its body is adorned with vibrant, iridescent feathers in a spectrum of colors, each hue symbolizing a different virtue or element.
- Hábrók bears Norse mythology
why
Hábrók's feathers are said to shimmer with an otherworldly iridescence, reflecting the light of the sun and stars as it glides effortlessly through the sky.
- Impundulu (Lightning Bird) bears South African folklore
why
With feathers that shimmer like polished silver and eyes that glow with an otherworldly electric blue light, this creature is said to be as beautiful as it is dangerous.
- Minokawa bears Philippine folklore
why
A gigantic bird from Philippine mythology, the Minokawa has feathers as sharp as swords and a beak made of steel.
- Nine-headed Bird bears Chinese mythology
why
The creature's body is said to be covered in iridescent feathers that shimmer with colors beyond the human spectrum, changing hues depending on the angle of observation.
- Pouākai bears Maori mythology
why
Its feathers are described as a mix of deep, rich colors - midnight blues, forest greens, and earthy browns - allowing it to blend seamlessly with the sky and forests it rules over.
and 6 more
- Rain Bird bears Native American folklore
why
The Rain Bird, a creature from Native American folklore, is a magical bird believed to bring rain, often depicted with colorful feathers and a melodic song.
- Shahbaz bears Persian mythology
why
In Persian mythology, the Shahbaz is a regal bird of prey, its feathers adorned in vibrant hues and its posture majestic.
- Simurgh bears Persian mythology
why
The Simurgh's feathers are believed to be imbued with magical properties, capable of healing wounds and curing illnesses when applied to the afflicted.
- Tengu bears Japanese folklore
why
These supernatural beings are often depicted with human-like bodies adorned with feathers, sharp claws, and distinctive long noses or beaks.
- Thunderbird bears Native American folklore
why
Its feathers are believed to be imbued with supernatural power, capable of creating thunderstorms when flapped and shooting lightning bolts from its eyes.
- Zhar-Ptitsa bears Slavic folklore
why
This creature is sought after for its magical feathers, representing the human quest for beauty and the extraordinary, despite the challenges and trials it may bring.