Ondine (mythology)

Ondine
Creature
Ondine with harp by Ludwig Michael von Schwanthaler (1855)
Grouping	Mythological
Sub grouping	Water spirit Elemental
Similar creatures	Mermaid Naiad Selkie Siren
Data
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.

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

The tale is the basis for "Ondine's Curse," the historical name for Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome (CCHS), a severe 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 China Miéville's New Crobuzon trilogy.^[4]
In the manga and anime series Aria (originally titled Aqua), the main characters are female gondoliers, called undines. The opening music for the anime series Aria: The Animation is titled Undine
In the Mana video game series, the water spirit is called Undine, as is the water-based summoning spirit in the game Tales of Symphonia, as well as the other "Tales of" games..
In Hart Crane's poem "Voyages II", from his 1926 collection White Buildings, the poet describes the sea as, "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 a Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué novella.
One of the sections of Maurice Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit is titled "Ondine".
Claude Debussy's Book II of Preludes includes one (no. 8) titled "Ondine".
Piano music composed by Cécile Chaminade. Op. 101 is titled "l'ondine"
The film Ondine stars 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.
Undines appear in the fantasy role-playing video game Riviera: The Promised Land, although they more closely resemble mermaids.
Undine is a main elemental water spirit character in Black Swan Rising by Lee Carroll
In Marcel Proust's Within a Budding Grove, 'Madame Swann at Home', the narrator's girlfriend Gilberte is referred to as Undine: "... she assumed that vague air, full of reticence and kept secrets...like the Undine that she was..." (Remembrance of Things Past, Wordsworth Editions, 2006, p. 475)
In the Japanese anime and manga Claymore, there is a warrior called Undine, her appearance occurs in chapter 23 and she uses two swords, unlike the rest of Claymores, who usually use only one weapon.
"Undine" is the title of the ninth track on Laura Marling's fourth album, "Once I Was An Eagle"
"Undine" is the subtitle of the Sonata for Flute and Piano, Opus 167 by Carl Reinecke.
In Adventure Time, in the episode "Power Animal", there are two Water Nymphs.
Undines are a race within Alfheim Online in the Sword Art Online manga and anime.
In the video game Drakengard, Arioch, an elf, has made a pact with two spirits, Undine and Salamander, with Undine being the water spirit and Salamander being the fire spirit.

References

^ Carole B. Silver, Strange and Secret Peoples: Fairies and Victorian Consciousness, p 38 ISBN 0-19-512199-6
^ C.S. Lewis, The Discarded Image, p 135 ISBN 0-521-47735-2
^ Funk & Wagnall's New comprehensive international dictionary of the English language (Encyclopedic ed.). J.G. Ferguson Publishing Company. 1976. p. 1369. LCCN 74-150152.
^ John Grant and John Clute, The Encyclopedia of Fantasy, "Elemental" p 313-4, ISBN 0-312-19869-8

External links

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