The Thunderbird of the Winnebago people suggests that this creature also had the power to grant people great abilities. As the anger of the Thunderbird is known to be extreme, this would have been great incentive to maintain good moral conduct. The Ojibwe Thunderbird legends also suggest that these creatures were responsible for punishing humans who broke moral rules. In the fall, they migrated south with other birds. They stayed until the fall when the most dangerous season for the underwater spirits had passed. During this time they fought the underwater spirits. They lived in the four directions and migrated to the land of the Ojibwe during the spring with other birds. The Ojibwe legends of the Thunderbird claim this creature was created by Nanabozho (one of the culture’s hero figures) in order to protect people from evil underwater spirits. The Menominee Thunderbirds are also known to be messengers of the Great Sun and were highly respected by these peoples. These Thunderbirds are known to be enemies of the Misikinubik (The Great Horned Snake) and are the reason mankind has not been devoured or overrun. They are said to find great pleasure in fighting and the accomplishment of impressive feats. 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. 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.
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