- Undine (alchemy)
-
Ondine 
Ondine with harp by Ludwig Michael von Schwanthaler (1855)Creature Grouping Mythological Sub grouping Water spirit
ElementalSimilar creatures Mermaid
Naiad
Selkie
SirenData Habitat Any body of water Undines (Latin: Unda — a wave), also called ondines, are elementals, enumerated as the water elementals in works of alchemy by Paracelsus.[1] They also appear in European folklore as fairy-like creatures; the name may be used interchangeably with those of other water spirits.[2] Undines are said to be able to gain a soul by marrying a man and bearing his child.[3] The German folktale of Ondine, a water nymph who curses her unfaithful husband to cease breathing if he should ever fall asleep again, is the basis for "Ondine's Curse," the historical term for congenital central hypoventilation syndrome, in which the afflicted lose autonomic control over breathing, placing them at greatest risk when they are asleep.
Contents
Characteristics of the Undine
According to a theory advanced by Paracelsus, an Undine is a water nymph or water spirit, the elemental of water. They are usually found in forest pools and waterfalls. They have beautiful voices, which are sometimes heard over the sound of water. According to some legends, Undines cannot get a soul unless they marry a man and bear him a child. This aspect has led them to be a popular motif in romantic and tragic literature.
In 18th century Scotland, Undines were also referred to as the wraiths of water. Even then, they were not feared as other wraiths such as the kelpie.
Sleep of Ondine
In a German tale known as Sleep of Ondine, Ondine is a water nymph. She was very beautiful and, like all nymphs, immortal. However, should she fall in love with a mortal man and bear his child, she would lose her immortality.
Ondine eventually falls in love with a handsome knight, Sir Lawrence, and they are married. When they exchange vows, Lawrence vows to forever love and be faithful to her. A year after their marriage, Ondine gives birth to his child. From that moment on she begins to age. As Ondine’s physical attractiveness diminishes, Lawrence loses interest in his wife.
One afternoon, Ondine is walking near the stables when she hears the familiar snoring of her husband. When she enters the stable, she sees Lawrence lying in the arms of another woman. Ondine points her finger at him, which he feels as if kicked, waking him up with surprise. Ondine curses him, stating, "You swore faithfulness to me with every waking breath, and I accepted your oath. So be it. As long as you are awake, you shall have your breath, but should you ever fall asleep, then that breath will be taken from you and you will die!"
Ondine's curse
Main article: Ondine's curseThe tale is the basis for "Ondine's Curse," the historical name for Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome (CCHS), a serious form of sleep apnea. CCHS causes patients to lose autonomic control of breathing, resulting in the need to consciously initiate every breath. If untreated, patients with CCHS will die—like Ondine's unfaithful spouse—if they fall asleep and can therefore no longer consciously breathe.
Cultural reproductions
Ondine de Spa
- Fantasy authors will sometimes employ undines in their fiction, often as elementals rather than another type of water spirit, such as in in China Miéville's New Crobuzon trilogy.[4]
- In the Mana video game series, water spirits are typically referred to as "Ondines" as is the water-based summoning spirit in the game Tales of Symphonia.
- In Hart Crane's poem, Voyages II, from his 1926 collection, White Buildings, the poet, in describing the Sea, writes, ...Her undinal vast belly moonward bends,....
- Genesis' 1973 song "Firth of Fifth" makes reference to "Ondinal Songs."
- Hans Werner Henze/Frederick Ashton's ballet Ondine about a water nymph, was choreographed for Margot Fonteyn. The ballet and the operas of the same name by Albert Lortzing and E. T. A. Hoffmann are independent adaptations of Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué novella.
- One of the sections of Maurice Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit is titled "Ondine".
- Piano music composed by Cécile Chaminade. Op. 101 titled "l'ondine"
- The film Ondine starring Colin Farrell as a fisherman who discovers an apparent selkie called Ondine.
- Audrey Hepburn received a Tony Award for her theatrical performance in the 1954 Broadway play Ondine.
- Undine appear in the Fantasy RPG Riviera: The Promised Land, although they more resemble mermaids.
See also
References
- ^ Carole B. Silver, Strange and Secret Peoples: Fairies and Victorian Consciousness, p 38 ISBN 0-19-512100-6
- ^ C.S. Lewis, The Discarded Image, p135 ISBN 0-521-47735-2
- ^ Funk & Wagnall's New comprehensive international dictionary of the English language~Encyclopedic edition~,Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 74-150152, p1369, J.G. Ferguson Publishing Company ,@1976
- ^ John Grant and John Clute, The Encyclopedia of Fantasy, "Elemental" p 313-4, ISBN 0-312-19869-8
External links
Categories:- Germanic mythology
- Classical elements
- Naiads
- Water spirits
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
