The Legend of the Eagle and the Serpent

This legend comes from the traditions of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, notably the Haida, and it illustrates the sacred role of the eagle in their culture.

The clash of powers

In ancient times, the Haida believed that the world was ruled by powerful spirits that resided in the heavens and the depths of the earth. Among these spirits, the eagle was considered the king of the skies, while the serpent was the master of the waters.

One day, a great drought struck the land, and the rivers and lakes began to dry up. The Haida believed that the drought was caused by an imbalance between the sky and water spirits. They prayed to the spirits for rain to return and life to be restored.

The spirit of the sky, embodied by the eagle, decided to confront the serpent, the spirit of the waters, to restore balance. The eagle flew to the depths where the serpent lived. The two powers met in a celestial and aquatic battle. The eagle, with its powerful wings and keen eyesight, and the serpent, with its speed and ability to manipulate water, clashed in an epic struggle.

The Triumph of the Eagle

After an intense battle, the eagle managed to defeat the serpent. As a sign of reconciliation and to restore balance, the eagle placed the serpent in a place where it could watch over the rivers and lakes without controlling them. As a reward for the victory, the eagle made it rain on the earth, restoring life to the rivers and fields.

The Haida celebrated this victory with dances and ceremonies, thanking the eagle for restoring harmony. The eagle became a symbol of power and protection, and is honored in Haida stories and traditions as the guardian of the balance between heaven and earth.

Source: “Haida Mythology” by Ronald S. Herring