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. © Kathy Alexander/ Legends of America, updated December 2022.Ĭopyright © 2023 Legends of America.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. The legends have been told through songs and oral histories. Throughout history, the Thunderbird symbol has appeared on totem poles, pottery, petroglyphs, masks, jewelry, and carvings. Some say that the mythology began with the ancient mound builders. In one story, an entire village was turned to stone for their wrongdoings. Many legends reference the anger of the Thunderbirds as something fearsome to behold, which could result in harsh punishments. In some tribes, Thunderbirds were considered highly sacred forces of nature, while others were treated like powerful but otherwise ordinary members of the animal kingdom. To the Shawnee tribe, they appeared as boys and could be identified by their tendency to speak backward. Some believed they were shapeshifters who often changed their appearance to interact with people. The Thunderbird of the Sioux People was a noble creature that protected humans from the Unktehila, who were dangerous reptilian monsters. They also believe that the Thunderbird has the power to grant people extraordinary abilities. The Winnebago says that a man with a vision of a Thunderbird during a solitary fast will become a war chief.
Thunderbird Shapeshifting – Engraving found in Spiro Mound. They stayed until the fall, when the most dangerous season for the underwater spirits had passed when they migrated south with other birds. They said that the bird was created by Nanabozho, a high spirit, and cultural hero and that the birds lived in the four directions and migrated to Ojibwe lands during the spring with other birds. Their traditions also say the Thunderbird is responsible for punishing humans who break moral rules. The Ojibway version is similar in that the Thunderbirds fight underwater spirits. They are said to be messengers of the Great Sun himself and delight in deeds of greatness. They are the enemies of the great horned snakes, called the Misikinubik, which they fight with to prevent them from overrunning the earth and devouring mankind. The Menominee of Wisconsin tells of a great mountain that floats in the western sky, upon which the Thunderbirds live. According to their legends, the Thunderbirds were ancestors of the human race and helped to create the universe. In contrast, the underworld is controlled by the underwater panther or Great Horned Serpent, from which the Thunderbird protects humans by throwing lightning at it. In Algonquian mythology, the Thunderbird controls the upper world. Some Plains tribes, including the Arapaho, associated Thunderbirds with the summer season, while White Owl represented the winter season. In Gros Ventre traditions, it was the Thunderbird who gave the sacred pipe to the people. Various tribes have different oral traditions about the magical Thunderbird, which they both highly respected and feared. They were said to live in the clouds high above the tallest mountains. They were said to have bright and colorful feathers, sharp teeth, and claws. The bird was so large that several legends say it picked up a whale in its talons. Good – when the rain was needed or bad when the rain came with strong destructive winds, floods, and fires caused by lightning. The Thunderbirds brought rain and storms, which could be good or bad. It was called the Thunderbird because the flapping of its powerful wings sounded like thunder, and lightning would shoot out of its eyes. Described as a supernatural being, the enormous bird symbolized power and strength that protected humans from evil spirits.
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