Chalkydri

Chalkydri (Ancient Greek: χαλκύδραι khalkýdrai, compound of χαλκός khalkós "brass, copper" + ὕδρα hýdra "hydra", "water-serpent" — lit. "brazen hydras", "copper serpents") are mythical creatures mentioned in the apocryphal Second Book of Enoch from the 1st century CE, often seen as an angelic species.[1][2] In the narrative, chalkydri dwell near the Sun alongside other flying elements referred to as phoenixes. Their appearance is mesmerizing, as they arise as creatures with the colors of the rainbow bearing the head of a crocodile and the feet and tail like that of a lion, each having twelve wings.[3] At the rising of the Sun, all the chalkydri break into song with their counterparts, alerting the birds of the world for a new day to rejoice.[4]

The name has been interpreted as a translation of Nehushtan, the bronze serpent constructed by Moses to protect the Israelites from attacks by fiery flying serpents, and destroyed by King Hezekiah as idolatrous,[5] from Hebrew into Greek.