swan maiden

American  

noun

1. any of a class of folkloric maidens, in many Indo-European and Asian tales, capable of being transformed into swans, as by magic or sorcery.

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swan maiden British  

noun

1. any of a group of maidens in folklore who by magic are transformed into swans

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Etymology

Origin of swan maiden

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Siegfried in “Swan Lake” is hunting swans when he loses his heart to Odette the swan maiden, beneath the trees and beside the water.

From New York Times • May 3, 2015

The ballet’s final act should give us the full drama and beauty of the couple’s sacrifice, magnified by the swan maiden corps.

From New York Times • Jun. 23, 2010

He considered anthropomorphism to explain satisfactorily not only the swan maiden, and the other feathered ladies 526 of the Nights, but also angel and devil.

From The Life of Sir Richard Burton by Wright, Thomas

A swan maiden who prophesies to Hagen, 75.

From Legends of the Middle Ages Narrated with Special Reference to Literature and Art by Guerber, H. A. (Hélène Adeline)

It survives in the Greek transformation stories and in the werwolf and swan maiden of the European popular creed.

From Introduction to the History of Religions Handbooks on the History of Religions, Volume IV by Jastrow, Morris