Melusine is a figure from medieval European folklore, a fairy or water spirit who married a mortal nobleman on the condition that he never see her on Saturdays, when she transformed into a serpent from the waist down. When he broke his promise, she flew away forever as a dragon.

What Is the Story of Melusine?

A nobleman named Raymondin encountered Melusine at a fountain in the forest. She agreed to marry him and bring him prosperity if he would never look upon her on Saturdays. They married and she built castles and bore many children. When Raymondin eventually spied on her Saturday bath, he saw her serpent form. She flew from the window as a winged dragon.

What Does Melusine Symbolize?

Melusine represents the alliance between human civilization and the wild supernatural. Her story explores the tension between trust and curiosity, between the civilized and the untamed. Her departure when the covenant is broken suggests that magic cannot coexist with suspicion.

How Did Melusine Become Important to European Aristocracy?

The House of Lusignan, rulers of Cyprus and Jerusalem, claimed descent from Melusine. The Starbucks logo draws from her image. Several European royal families incorporated her into their genealogies.

What Is Melusine's Legacy?

Melusine endures as an archetype of the woman with a secret self, the civilizing feminine force that departs when trust is broken. Chat with Melusine on HoloDream about secrets, transformation, and the wild nature that cannot be contained.