| Creature information | |
|---|---|
| Grouping | Legendary creature |
| Sub grouping | Hybrid |
Chalkydri (Ancient Greek:χαλκύδραιkhalkýdrai, compound ofχαλκόςkhalkós "brass, copper" +ὕδραhýdra "hydra", "water-serpent" — lit. "brazen hydras", "copper serpents") aremythical creatures mentioned in theapocryphalSecond Book of Enoch (1st century CE), often considered anangelic species.[1][2] In the narrative, chalkydri dwell near the Sun, running its course around the Earth and bringing heat and dew. The chalkydri andphoenixes are described as creatures 900measures in size, with the head of a crocodile, the feet and tail of a lion, twelve wings, and a coloration like therainbow. Both are referred to as "flying elements of the Sun" in the Second Book of Enoch.[3][4] At sunrise, all chalkydri break into song with their counterparts, signalling the birds of the world to rejoice at the new day.[5]
The name is interpreted as a Greek translation of theHebrew word "Nehushtan", the bronze serpent constructed byMoses to protect theIsraelites from attacks byfiery flying serpents, and later destroyed byKing Hezekiah asidolatrous.[6]
Similarities to the story of the chalkydri and phoenixes in the Second Book of Enoch appear in theGreek Apocalypse of Baruch, which recounts the story ofBaruch seeing a large bird flying around the Sun said to guard the Earth, identified by anangel as a phoenix.[7]
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