Turul Bird, Buda Castle, Budapest
The statue of mythical Turul bird that guards the Buda castle. The flying Turul bird’s statue marks Hungary’s millennium anniversary in 1896.
The Turul itself resembles a mix between an eagle and a falcon. There were three large statues of the Turul, each with a wingspan of 15 m. Only one of the three statues remains. You can see the last “lifesize” statue of the Turul atop the mountain Tatabánya in Hungary. It is adorned with a crown and holds the flaming Sword of God within its talons.
Turul is the most important bird in the origin myth of the Magyars (Hungarian people). It is a divine messenger, and perches on top of the tree of life along with the other spirits of unborn children in the form of birds. Image of Turul became a symbol of power, strength, and nobility, and it is still used today on the coat of arms of the Hungarian Army and the Office of National Security.
Turul is a mythical symbol of the power of the Hungarian God Isten. The Turul statue is often depicted as wielding the “flaming Sword of God”. The sword is interesting as it is considered a legendary weapon created by Hadúr, their God of Fire.
Mythical Turul bird statue in Budapest Hungary
My 11 year old was very curious, Is Turul a real bird? She asked.
From the look and structure it seemed like an eagle or falcon, but in reality no such bird exists. In reality it is an entirely fictional mythical bird known as a “Turul”.
Now she was eager to know the story of this mythological bird Turul.
Some groups who identify themselves as spiritual UFO hunters claim that in the year 12788 BCE, the Turul Clan left the planet Turul in the solar system Sirius B and landed on earth.
Two Hungarian legends are attributed to origin of Turul.
Emese’s Dream – Emese wife of Ügyek, a descendant of Atilla the Hun, the progenitress of the Hungarian people dreamed that she is impregnated by a Turul and gives birth to Álmos.. The dream meant she would give birth to a line of mighty rulers. Álmos would later have a son, Árpád, the founder of Árpád Clan, which ruled Hungary during the country’s golden age, from the tenth to the thirteen century CE.
The Conquest of the Magyars – This relates to the territorial legitimating the Hungarian state. In this story, Turuls led a group of wandering tribes into the Carpathian basin, showing them the land of their future country.
Turul Hungary
Interesting Facts about Hungarian Turul
- The very first Hungarian balloon, which took off on May 1, 1902, was called Turul.
- Since 1989, the Turul symbol has gradually appeared in various popular designs, from T-shirts and flags to wall clocks, bags, wine, and cutlery.
- The symbol of the Turul has been used in various ways throughout history, mostly in a military context.
- It is used in the logos of three major Hungarian institutions: the Military National Security Service, the Hungarian Army, and the Constitution Protection Office.
- The symbol is also used in a number of official seals of Hungarian settlements.
- There are now more than 257 Turul monuments and statues across Hungary and in neighboring countries.
Miraculous Deer Hungary
There were talks of imposing a one-year prison sentence on anyone caught defacing images of the Turul or the Miraculous Deer, another important figure in the Hungarian ethno genetic myth. Not sure if it really holds true.
Also see: Golden Eagle of Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna
Read more: Mythical Creatures – Merlion, Symbol of Singapore, Basilisk in Basel
Did you like this travel blog on Turul Bird Statue?
If you have liked this photo essay on the mythical creature, symbol of Hungary, the Turul Bird, you may share or save it to your collections.
You can follow me on my social media handles Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook to see the wonderful destinations, beautiful offbeat places and get instant updates about them.
Pin this for later
I love the perspective of your photos. Thanks for sharing the history.
Love the shot and the history behind it!
What a cool bird statue! A lovely look at the sky. Great photo, Indrani!
Beautiful capture and interesting post!
Very, very interesting to learn of this mythical bird and great photos.
Love the patina on that statue. Nice photo!
Thanks for telling us about the turul bird — I had not heard about that one. I like your photos of the bird against the sky.
Ohhhhhhhhhh, so so very excellent. From the little cropped image on C C with your link, I first thought this was going to be a gargoyle.
Love this.
My Saturday Link: BALD EAGLE I do hope you can find time to pay me a visit and say hello.
Cool shot! Love statues of mythical creatures.
Nice photos, I like, awesome Turul Mythical Bird. Greetings.
Wonderful perspectives, Indrani!
Very lively looking sculpture ! looks as if it would fly away right away !
Very good photos.
Regards and best wishes
really cool shots!
thanks for dropping by my SWF entry at Explorerminded
Beautifulpicture and well written piece
What a fierce and majestic bird! Lovely shots.
Cool capture , nice to know about this bird.
Your shot is angled where the bird is soaring up the skies!
beautifully captured!
A wonderful but of Hungarian mythology. I have sometimes wondered about the creature on the Hungarian coat of arms, thanks for the info and great shots.
How wonderful that you made it to Budapest. I'd love to go there myself some day. I like your snapshots 🙂
Interesting myth!Great skies Indrani.
Happy weekend.
Is this similar to Vulture (it's nose resembles it a lot). Behind this picture there's so much of history, belief and myths!
Captured so beautifully! Have a great weekend.
My Sky watch
My grandmother saw this as a small child . . .
Warm Aloha from Hawaii
Comfort Spiral
> < } } ( ° >
Oh, I love this! What a great capture for the day, Indrani! And perfect against those beautiful blue skies! Enjoy your weekend!
Sylvia
I like the statue of the mythical bird very much. Interesting shots and post.