Chalkydri (Template:Lang-grc khalkýdrai, compound of χαλκός khalkós "brass, copper" + ὕδρα hýdra "hydra", "water-serpent" — lit. "brazen hydras", "copper serpents") are mythical creatures mentioned in the apocryphal Second Book of Enoch from the 1st century CE, often seen as an angelic species.[1][2] In the narrative, chalkydri dwell near the Sun and ran its course around the Earth with it bringing heat and dew to the Earth. The chalkydri and phoenixes are described as creatures with the head of a crocodile and the feet and tail like that of a lion, each having twelve wings, and are the color purple like the rainbow. Both the chalkydri and phoenixes are referred to as "flying elements of the Sun" in the Second Book of Enoch.[3] At sunrise, all the chalkydri break into song with their counterparts, alerting the birds of the world for a new day to rejoice.[4]
| Grouping | Legendary creature |
|---|---|
| Sub grouping | Hybrid |
The name has been interpreted as a translation of Nehushtan, the bronze serpent constructed by Moses to protect the Israelites from attacks by fiery flying serpents, and destroyed by King Hezekiah as idolatrous,[5] from Hebrew into Greek.
See also
References
- ^ Davidson, Gustav. (1967) A Dictionary of Angels, Including the Fallen Angels. Entry: 'Chalkydri', p. 84.
- ^ F.I. Andersen. (1983) 2 (Old Bulgarian Apocalypse of) Enoch, a new Translation and Introduction in ed. James Charlesworth The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Vol 1. p. 94. ISBN 0-385-09630-5.
- ^ Rutherford H. Platt, Jr. (1926) The Forgotten Books of Eden. Entry: The Book of the Secrets of Enoch chapter XII. [1]
- ^ Louis Ginzberg. (1909) Legends of the Jews. Entry: The Creation of the World: The Sixth Day. [2]
- ^ Scriptural Research Institute (10 June 2020). Enoch and Metatron Collection. Digital Ink Productions. ISBN 978-1-989852-29-3.
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