How Do You Spell FLOSSHILDE?

Pronunciation: [flˈɒsʃɪldə] (IPA)

The word "Flosshilde" is a German name that is part of the famous opera cycle "Der Ring des Nibelungen" by Richard Wagner. The word is commonly spelled as "Flosshilde," with an IPA phonetic transcription of /flɔsˈhɪldə/. The "fl" sound at the beginning of the word is an initial blend that is pronounced together as a single sound. The "o" sound is pronounced as a long vowel, and the "ss" combination represents a sharp "s" sound. The "h" is pronounced as a hard "h," and "e" is pronounced as a short "e" sound.

Meaning and Definition
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FLOSSHILDE Meaning and Definition

  1. Flosshilde is a noun that refers to a mythological character from Richard Wagner's famous opera cycle, "Der Ring des Nibelungen" (The Ring of the Nibelung). In Norse mythology, Flosshilde is one of the three Rhinemaidens, along with Woglinde and Wellgunde, who guard the Rhine River's magical gold treasure.

    As a Rhinemaiden, Flosshilde is depicted as a water nymph or mermaid-like creature who possesses a captivating, ethereal beauty. She is known for her enchanting singing voice and virtuous nature. Flosshilde, along with her sisters, plays a crucial role in the opera as they serve as the guardians of the magical gold. The Rhinemaidens' role becomes pivotal when the gold is stolen by a dwarf named Alberich, setting off a chain of events that drives the plot of the entire opera cycle.

    The character of Flosshilde is often portrayed as innocent, playful, and full of grace. She represents purity and natural beauty, which contrasts with the ambitious and morally corrupt characters in the opera. Flosshilde's presence adds a touch of magic and mythical fascination to Wagner's epic tale.

    In broader usage, "Flosshilde" may be employed to refer to any mythical water nymph or mermaid-like creature found in various literary or artistic contexts, drawing inspiration from Wagner's opera cycle.