The Firebird is the magical bird with fiery feathers that heroes seek in Slavic tales. Known in Russian as the zhar-ptitsa, it is usually portrayed as a glowing or burning bird from a distant land, both wondrous and dangerous to capture.
Its feathers are often golden, red, orange, or yellow and may continue to glow after being plucked. In some stories, a single feather can illuminate a dark room. A lost feather commonly begins a difficult quest, sending a prince or archer after the living bird at the command of a king.
The Firebird is frequently confused with the Sirin, Alkonost, or Gamayun. Those are other legendary birds with different roles, often connected with song, prophecy, paradise, or supernatural knowledge. The Firebird’s best-known modern adaptation is Igor Stravinsky’s 1910 ballet, commissioned by Sergei Diaghilev and based on Russian fairy-tale material.