Queen Meltápál’s Dream
A Lovasnép Myth of Prophesy and Origin
The origin story of the Lovasnép people continues with the prophesy of a new homeland in the west, from the mouth of the mythical Turul,1 totem of the Lovasnép nation. This version of the tale comes to us from the anonymous twelfth century chronicler known as Bölcsember C., as recorded in his epic history Tettek Lovasnépém (Deeds of the Lovasnép) written between 1199 – 1205 CA.
In the 700th year of the saints among us, as the Savage Age was coming to a close, there was a king in Luvodia named Ügyeszent, descended from the great house of Lovásetnék. His wife was Meltápál, daughter of Prince Shazdenimesh of the No’am. As the cold dark winter slowly made way for spring, Queen Meltápál frequently enjoyed outings with her ladies in waiting among the green rolling hills of the country. It was on one of these excursions that she found herself dozing in the sunshine under a budding fruit tree, soothed by the lyrical sounds of a nearby brook.
As the young queen drifted off to sleep, her slumber was disturbed by a strange dream. In her dream she was visited by a large Turul, which descended from heaven and perched upon the highest branch of the fruit tree. As she gazed upon the magnificent bird of prey, it spread its wings and flew down to her lap and laid its head upon her breast.
Suddenly, from her womb welled forth a crystal-clear spring. Its rivulets flowed westward forming streams and rivers, swelling until they became a torrent, wide and deep. Where the waters stopped, there grew up a wondrous tree with seven golden branches.
Then the Turul spoke to Meltápál. He told her, “From your descendants will be born many noble and holy kings. Yet they will rule not in this country, but in a distant land in the west.” Thereupon the Turul flew off, rising again into heaven, where it took its place upon the tree of life among the tiny birds who are the souls of the yet unborn.
Queen Meltápál soon realized she was with child, and gave birth to a baby boy, whom she named Almodozó because he was conceived in a dream (Álom meaning dream in Lovásic). He was the father of Családapa, who united the tribes of Luvodia into a single nation and is called the Father of the Lovasnép.
"From your descendants will be born many noble and holy kings. Yet they will rule not in this country, but in a distant land in the west."
--the Turul to Queen Meltápál
In the 700th year of the saints among us, as the Savage Age was coming to a close, there was a king in Luvodia named Ügyeszent, descended from the great house of Lovásetnék. His wife was Meltápál, daughter of Prince Shazdenimesh of the No’am. As the cold dark winter slowly made way for spring, Queen Meltápál frequently enjoyed outings with her ladies in waiting among the green rolling hills of the country. It was on one of these excursions that she found herself dozing in the sunshine under a budding fruit tree, soothed by the lyrical sounds of a nearby brook.
As the young queen drifted off to sleep, her slumber was disturbed by a strange dream. In her dream she was visited by a large Turul, which descended from heaven and perched upon the highest branch of the fruit tree. As she gazed upon the magnificent bird of prey, it spread its wings and flew down to her lap and laid its head upon her breast.
Suddenly, from her womb welled forth a crystal-clear spring. Its rivulets flowed westward forming streams and rivers, swelling until they became a torrent, wide and deep. Where the waters stopped, there grew up a wondrous tree with seven golden branches.
Then the Turul spoke to Meltápál. He told her, “From your descendants will be born many noble and holy kings. Yet they will rule not in this country, but in a distant land in the west.” Thereupon the Turul flew off, rising again into heaven, where it took its place upon the tree of life among the tiny birds who are the souls of the yet unborn.
Queen Meltápál soon realized she was with child, and gave birth to a baby boy, whom she named Almodozó because he was conceived in a dream (Álom meaning dream in Lovásic). He was the father of Családapa, who united the tribes of Luvodia into a single nation and is called the Father of the Lovasnép.
1 The mythical Turul bird of prey is among the most important national symbols of the Lovasnép people. Based upon a large falcon or hawk, the Turul’s role is one of protector spirit. It is considered a totem of the Lovasnép people.
Queen Meltápál’s Family Tree:
Queen Meltápál’s Family Tree:
PART OF A SERIES ON
LOVASNÉP MYTHOLOGY
LOVASNÉP MYTHOLOGY
The Turul with the Sword of Teldus
The Turul with the Sword of Teldus
Queen Meltápál
Comments