![]() ![]() These majestic creatures are known to control the elements (rain, hail, etc.) and sometimes watch the happenings of human life. Thunderbird in Various Cultures Thunderbird of the Menominee PeoplesĪccording to the Menominee tribe, the Thunderbirds live on an enormous mountain that floats in the sky. All that needed to be done for them to transform again was to pull down their beaks and put on their feathers again. When this was done, a Thunderbird could walk among humans without drawing attention. They supposedly did this by removing their feathers (which could be put on and taken off like a blanket) and tipping their beaks up over their heads similar to the way one might do with a mask. Many legends suggest that Thunderbirds had the ability to shapeshift into human form. Some cultures even believe this mighty creature may have married into human families and have offspring that can be traced back to this today. Depending on whose version of the myth is being told, the Thunderbird can be a single entity or can constitute a whole race (or tribe) of peoples. There are also records of similar creatures in Europe, Asia, and Africa. The Thunderbird myth is very widespread throughout American and Canada. There are some legends that claim the Thunderbird may have even been a distant ancestor to the human race. The Thunderbird is thought to be the physical embodiment of the elements as well as a noble spirit that would protect humans from evil spirits. However, these creatures could also destroy the earth with winds, floods, droughts, and fires caused by lighting. The Thunderbird was known to give life by nurturing the lifeforms on Earth and giving them the necessary rains to survive. The Thunderbird is known to have harsh punishments for people who have done wrong and is even said to have turned an entire village to stone for their wrongdoings. Many legends reference the anger of the Thunderbirds as something fearsome to behold and that should be avoided at all costs. The Thunderbird is mysterious in that it is not merely a protector, but is also seen as enforcer of morality – one that should never be angered. There are many stories that tell of the Thunderbird in Native American legends, which make the creature appear to be one of the key deities in their beliefs. The Thunderbird appears to be a creature of extreme intelligence and intrigue. In spite of these things, the Thunderbird continues to be a point of fascination for all. Because of this, many scholars find it unlikely that the Thunderbird could exist in modern day without being seen. Additionally, these creatures were so large and mighty that they could easily carry a whale in their talons. They can remain in human form for as long as necessary, and are always capable of changing back into their original forms.According to many legends, the Thunderbird is so large that one feather from their wingspan would have to be folded in half to properly fit into a quiver. They point their beaks upward to make a human face and pull off their feathers as if it were a cloak. They are also capable of summoning huge storms, capable of anhilating entire villages with its forceful winds and stray bolts of lightning.Thunderbirds can also shapeshift in a way. The beak of a thunderbird can shoot out bolts of lightning. They can generate powerful claps of thunder with a flap of their wings. They rarely joke around and are of a more serious nature.Īs the name shows, thunderbirds are masters of the sky and storms. Native American tribes and families have been known to have ancestors that were thunderbirds. They have been known to occasionally come down to earth during storms, turning into men and women and living among humankind. Thunderbirds usually act as messengers for the higher powers of nature. But there have also been accounts of men and omenn changing into thunderbirds by putting on a large cloak of its feathers and pulling down its face, revealing the head of the thunderbird. It is usually depicted with the color of its feathers a lightning blue. It is described as a large bird, capable of creating storms and thundering while it flies. The thunderbird's name comes from the common belief that the beating of its enormous wings causes thunder and stirs the wind.Īcross many North American indigenous cultures, the thunderbird carries many of the same characteristics. ![]() Thunderbirds originated from ancient Native American legends. ![]()
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