The legend of the Piasa Bird (Pie-a-saw) dates back to its founding in 1673 by Father Jacques Marquette. Marquette along with Louis Jolliet were traveling down the Mississippi River when they spotted the painting on the bluffs over looking the river. The painting was located where the city of Alton, Illinois is now located.
The creature is a birdlike monster that has horns, a long tail, red eyes, a face like a man, red and green scales, large wings, and a beard like a tigers. It was given its name by the Illini Indians. The word "Piasa" means a bird that devours men.
There are many legends that originated about the famous monster. One of the more popular accounts goes like this. Many moons ago there was a large bird like creature that had talons so large that it could carry off a full size deer. However, the creature had a taste for human flesh. One morning a number of young braves were beginning an expedition down the river for fish and game. The large winged Piasa Bird swooped in and grabbed one and carried him to his lair. Hundreds of brave warriors tried to destroy the monster but failed. The creature destroyed whole villages and the Illini warriors were afraid. Ouatoga, a great chief who's fame extended beyond the great lakes, separated himself from his tribe and prayed to the great spirit during a solitude of a full moon. He prayed and fasted that the great spirit would protect his people from the creature.
On the last night of his fast, the great spirit appeared to Ouatoga in a dream. the great spirit told him to take 20 of the bravest warriors and arm them each with a bow and a poisoned tip arrow. The bravest warrior was to stand in a designated spot for the creature to see him. He would be a victim for the Piasa Bird.
When the chief awoke in the morning he went and told the tribe of his vision (dream). The warriors were quickly selected and Ouatoga offered himself as the bait for the creature.
The trap was set and Ouatoga began the death chant of a warrior at the selected location. The Piasa Bird saw the chief and swooped down on his prey only to be met by the arrows of the warriors. The creature let out a loud scream that echoed down the river as the creature fell to his death and was swept away by the mighty Mississippi. Ouatoga was spared.
To honor Ouatoga for his bravery,one of his fellow tribesman (Tera-hi-on-a wa-ka) returned to the spot where the mighty creature had been killed. He mixed different paints and climbed the bluffs and slowly painted a picture of the creature that they had killed a few days earlier. Once the picture was painted, every time an Indian passed the picture, an arrow was shot into the air to honor the bravery of Chief Ouatoga and their deliverance from the fearful creature.
This account was written by John Russell from Bluffdale, Illinois in 1836. The article first appeared in a monthly Family Magazine and in a copy of General Knowledge. Russell admitted that the story was only an unproved legend.
Full Version: Piasa Bird
Native legends are always interesting, even thought I don't live around the area where the legends takes place. This legend in particular reminds me of the Thunderbird. I like it. Thanks, klc9100! 
I've always dug this story. I think the painting is still there, too, if I'm not mistaken. 
QUOTE(snuffypuffer @ Sep 12 2007, 02:55 PM) 
I've always dug this story. I think the painting is still there, too, if I'm not mistaken.
Snuffy uffer? hahaha
Really interesting story. It seems reminiscent of the thunderbird legends, a variation yes, but still simliar. It might be interesting to see if any other tribes in the surrounding area have had similiar legends.
reminds me a little of something similar to a griffin. Interesting story but thats more what it feels to me a short story written for pure imaginative reasons but you never know the natives did have very interesting stories to tell.
Anyway good to hear some new things poping up round here.
Anyway good to hear some new things poping up round here.
Exscellent story, thanks for sharing it. It does indeed sound a bit like some thunderbird/roc stories. The description is quite crazy though. Any chance of a photo of the painting?
QUOTE(Urisk @ Sep 13 2007, 11:05 AM)
Exscellent story, thanks for sharing it. It does indeed sound a bit like some thunderbird/roc stories. The description is quite crazy though. Any chance of a photo of the painting?
i couldn't initially find a pic of the painting. i didn't have much time though. i will look some more. yeah, it reminded me alot of the t-bird too.
QUOTE(klc9100 @ Sep 13 2007, 12:40 PM)
i couldn't initially find a pic of the painting. i didn't have much time though. i will look some more. yeah, it reminded me alot of the t-bird too.
ok - i found a little more info & some pics
http://www.he.net/~altonweb/history/piasabird/
QUOTE(klc9100 @ Sep 12 2007, 11:48 AM)
The legend of the Piasa Bird (Pie-a-saw) dates back to its founding in 1673 by Father Jacques Marquette. Marquette along with Louis Jolliet were traveling down the Mississippi River when they spotted the painting on the bluffs over looking the river. The painting was located where the city of Alton, Illinois is now located.
The creature is a birdlike monster that has horns, a long tail, red eyes, a face like a man, red and green scales, large wings, and a beard like a tigers. It was given its name by the Illini Indians. The word "Piasa" means a bird that devours men.
There are many legends that originated about the famous monster. One of the more popular accounts goes like this. Many moons ago there was a large bird like creature that had talons so large that it could carry off a full size deer. However, the creature had a taste for human flesh. One morning a number of young braves were beginning an expedition down the river for fish and game. The large winged Piasa Bird swooped in and grabbed one and carried him to his lair. Hundreds of brave warriors tried to destroy the monster but failed. The creature destroyed whole villages and the Illini warriors were afraid. Ouatoga, a great chief who's fame extended beyond the great lakes, separated himself from his tribe and prayed to the great spirit during a solitude of a full moon. He prayed and fasted that the great spirit would protect his people from the creature.
On the last night of his fast, the great spirit appeared to Ouatoga in a dream. the great spirit told him to take 20 of the bravest warriors and arm them each with a bow and a poisoned tip arrow. The bravest warrior was to stand in a designated spot for the creature to see him. He would be a victim for the Piasa Bird.
When the chief awoke in the morning he went and told the tribe of his vision (dream). The warriors were quickly selected and Ouatoga offered himself as the bait for the creature.
The trap was set and Ouatoga began the death chant of a warrior at the selected location. The Piasa Bird saw the chief and swooped down on his prey only to be met by the arrows of the warriors. The creature let out a loud scream that echoed down the river as the creature fell to his death and was swept away by the mighty Mississippi. Ouatoga was spared.
To honor Ouatoga for his bravery,one of his fellow tribesman (Tera-hi-on-a wa-ka) returned to the spot where the mighty creature had been killed. He mixed different paints and climbed the bluffs and slowly painted a picture of the creature that they had killed a few days earlier. Once the picture was painted, every time an Indian passed the picture, an arrow was shot into the air to honor the bravery of Chief Ouatoga and their deliverance from the fearful creature.
This account was written by John Russell from Bluffdale, Illinois in 1836. The article first appeared in a monthly Family Magazine and in a copy of General Knowledge. Russell admitted that the story was only an unproved legend.
The creature is a birdlike monster that has horns, a long tail, red eyes, a face like a man, red and green scales, large wings, and a beard like a tigers. It was given its name by the Illini Indians. The word "Piasa" means a bird that devours men.
There are many legends that originated about the famous monster. One of the more popular accounts goes like this. Many moons ago there was a large bird like creature that had talons so large that it could carry off a full size deer. However, the creature had a taste for human flesh. One morning a number of young braves were beginning an expedition down the river for fish and game. The large winged Piasa Bird swooped in and grabbed one and carried him to his lair. Hundreds of brave warriors tried to destroy the monster but failed. The creature destroyed whole villages and the Illini warriors were afraid. Ouatoga, a great chief who's fame extended beyond the great lakes, separated himself from his tribe and prayed to the great spirit during a solitude of a full moon. He prayed and fasted that the great spirit would protect his people from the creature.
On the last night of his fast, the great spirit appeared to Ouatoga in a dream. the great spirit told him to take 20 of the bravest warriors and arm them each with a bow and a poisoned tip arrow. The bravest warrior was to stand in a designated spot for the creature to see him. He would be a victim for the Piasa Bird.
When the chief awoke in the morning he went and told the tribe of his vision (dream). The warriors were quickly selected and Ouatoga offered himself as the bait for the creature.
The trap was set and Ouatoga began the death chant of a warrior at the selected location. The Piasa Bird saw the chief and swooped down on his prey only to be met by the arrows of the warriors. The creature let out a loud scream that echoed down the river as the creature fell to his death and was swept away by the mighty Mississippi. Ouatoga was spared.
To honor Ouatoga for his bravery,one of his fellow tribesman (Tera-hi-on-a wa-ka) returned to the spot where the mighty creature had been killed. He mixed different paints and climbed the bluffs and slowly painted a picture of the creature that they had killed a few days earlier. Once the picture was painted, every time an Indian passed the picture, an arrow was shot into the air to honor the bravery of Chief Ouatoga and their deliverance from the fearful creature.
This account was written by John Russell from Bluffdale, Illinois in 1836. The article first appeared in a monthly Family Magazine and in a copy of General Knowledge. Russell admitted that the story was only an unproved legend.
That story was invented by Mr. Russell, and done in the classic, stereotypical Anglo Saxon dragon-slaying tradition. The Indians that were with Father Marquette believed the creature was still alive and refused to enter its territory. The real indian legends also say it is very intelligent and allied itself with one tribe against another and then carried off the enemy Chief to insure their victory. The creatures are uncannily similar to Old World dragons, and even the "human face" may be a mistake. This is based on Indians trying to paint the head frontally, and it is difficult to depict a long reptilian snout this way. Chinese dragons with long snouts also seem to have a more human like face when depicted frontally
Interestingingly, Illinois still has more than its share of "flying monster sightings". Perhaps the Piasa is still around.
I enjoy native legends too. The Wendigo is probably my favorite.
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