Learn the Aboriginal dream-time legend on this incredible natural wonder!
The beauty of the Blue Mountains is shrouded in a veil of mystery and outstanding natural splendour. Silver mist rises from the green cloaked rainforest, golden peaks reach towards the sky and down in the valleys waterfalls gush to feed the scented eucalyptus trees. One of the most spectacular landmarks of this world heritage site has to be The Three Sisters.
Every year tourists flock to stand in awe at the unusual rock formations carved from the cliffs at Echo Point in Katoomba. These three majestic rocks capture the sunlight and burst with colour throughout the day, even when the sky floods with night the magical three sisters glitter gold against the velvet backdrop.
A Tale of Love
Yet it’s not only the wonder of the landscape that captures the hearts of many travellers who sojourn to the Blue Mountains but the story behind the three rocks that stand tall. The ancient aboriginal legend tells the tale of three sisters – ‘Meehni’, ‘Wimlah’ and Gunnedoo’. These three enchanting girls lived in the heart of the Jamison Valley as part of the Katoomba tribe. Yet the girls were young and their hearts were captured by three brothers from a neighbouring tribe. However the law of the land forbid the girls from following their desires and marrying outside their own people.
A Tale of Blood
The brothers decided to capture the girls and carry them away to be wed, a major battle ensued as the two tribes clashed and the blood ran thick. An elderly witchdoctor from the Katoomba tribe feared for the safety of the beautiful sisters and cast a spell to turn them to stone to keep them safe from harm. Yet during the raging battle the witchdoctor was killed and unable to reverse the spell.
A Tale of Magic
The sisters stand mournfully high above the Jamison Valley, doused in glory, bewitching in their enchantment but never able to return to the human form. Even for those who don’t believe the legend it still makes for a heart wrenching sight to gaze up at these powerful rocks carved from the earth and to remember the tragic tale.
Whether you ride the scenic railway to capture a glimpse of the three sisters standing tall in the afternoon sun or whether you trek through the trails that wrap around Echo Point, the sisters are sure to ignite the spark in your imagination and to bring to life a touch of magic and myth with this dream time tale.
Alternative Theory
There’s another legend that is connected to the formation of the Blue Mountains Three Sisters and offers up an explanation of how the rocks came to be.
This tale begins with Tyawan, a witch doctor who had three daughters; Meenhi, Wimlah and Gunnedoo. Whenever Tyawan had to pass by a hole to get food, he would leave his three daughters behind a rocky wall on a cliff. He did this because down this deep, dark hole there lived a Bunyip who was the most feared creature on the land.
One day as Tyawan passed by the hole off to get food, a large centipede crawled next to the girls and scared Meenhi so much that she threw a rock at it. The rock then fell down into the valley and angered the Bunyip. He came up to face the girls, and Tyawan who saw this from a distance turned his daughters into stones to protect them from the Bunyip with his magic bone. After he had done this, the Bunyip began chasing him so he turned himself into a lyre bird. All was well and everyone safe, however in the scuffle Tyawan had dropped his magic bone somewhere, leaving him a bird and his three daughters into the rock formations we see today. It’s said that you can still hear the call of the lyre bird around the rocks even till now; Tyawan in search of the magic bone.
Cameron Ward
Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia
Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.
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FAQs
The Aboriginal dream-time legend has it that three sisters, 'Meehni', 'Wimlah' and 'Gunnedoo' lived in the Jamison Valley as members of the Katoomba tribe. These beautiful young ladies had fallen in love with three brothers from the Nepean tribe, yet tribal law forbade them to marry.
What is the dreaming story of the three sisters? ›
According to Gundungurra dreaming, three beautiful sisters named Meehni, Wimlah and Gunnedoo once lived with the Gundungurra people in the Jamison Valley. The maidens were in love with three brothers from the neighbouring nation of the Dharruk people, but marriage was forbidden by tribal law.
What is the meaning behind the three sisters? ›
The Three Sisters play an important part in Aboriginal history and, according to legend, were once three beautiful sisters called Meehni, Wimlah, and Gunnedoo. The sisters fell in love with three brothers in the neighbouring tribe– something that was forbidden under tribal law.
What is the message of the three sisters? ›
"The Three Sisters Themes: Change, Suffering, and the Meaning of Life." LitCharts.
Is the 3 sisters a true story? ›
A heartbreaking story of love and survival based on the incredible true story of the Meller sisters, as told to Heather Morris.
What is the story the legend of the three sisters? ›
The well-being of each crop is believed to be protected by one of the Three Sister Spirits. Many an Indian legend has been woven around the "Three Sisters" - sisters who would never be apart from one another- sisters who should be planted together, eaten together and celebrated together.
What does the Three Sisters teach us? ›
Each of these crops does better when planted together than when planted on their own. They each contribute a different characteristics that helps all three of them grow and be strong. The Three Sisters teaches us: Everyone has something to offer.
What is the main idea of the three sisters? ›
Four themes found in "Three Sisters" by Anton Chekhov are social class, reality vs. dream, action vs. inaction, and dissatisfaction/despair. The characters in the play experience the dilemmas and states of existence found in these themes.
What is the moral of the three sisters story? ›
“The fact that the sisters were provided together means that they're stronger together than they ever would be separate… the lesson, besides one of gratitude, is an appreciation and respect for the gardening technique,” Alexander says.
What is the point of the three sisters? ›
The Iroquois and the Cherokee called corn, bean, and squash “the three sisters” because they nurture each other like family when planted together. These agriculturalists placed corn in small hills planting beans around them and interspersing squash throughout of the field.
“The Three Sisters are significant to Aboriginal culture as a mythical place of legends and stories,” she said. “The area down into the valley below was used as a ceremonial space with legend telling how the Three Sisters came to be the land formations commanding a view of the valley in traditional times.
What is the summary of the Three Sisters? ›
Summaries. Nearly a thousand miles away from their beloved Moscow, Chekhov's Three Sisters live in virtual exile. Olga, a schoolmistress, attempts to support her siblings and the home that is the sole legacy of their late father.
What is the lesson of the three sisters of fate? ›
Lesson Summary
Each sister has a different role: Clotho spins the thread, Lachesis measures its length, and Atropos cuts the thread with scissors. This process determines each person's destiny as well as when they will be born and when they will die. The Roman equivalent of the Fates are called the Parcae.
What is the message of the sisters? ›
“The Sisters” is littered with references to religious corruption. Father Flynn drops the chalice, he stains his clerical robes with snuff, it is implied that he allows people to pay him to absolve their sins, and his sisters attribute his mental and physical demise to the strains of clerical life.
What is the story behind the three sisters Island? ›
The Sister Islands were named after the three daughters (Asenath, Angeline and Celinda Eliza) of General Parkhurst Whitney, who was an American commander during the War of 1812. Later he became a very successful businessman and owned the Cataract Hotel in Niagara Falls, New York.
What is the history of the three sisters mountains? ›
In the traditional language of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney) the peaks are also referred to as the three sisters. However, the name refers to a story of Ĩ-ktomnĩ, the old man or trickster, who would promise 'three sisters' in marriage whenever he was in trouble.
What is the story of the indigenous Three Sisters? ›
The Iroquois and the Cherokee called corn, bean, and squash the three sisters' because they nurture each other like family when planted together. These agriculturalists placed corn in small hills planting beans around them and interspersing squash throughout of the field.
What is the story of the three brothers Three Sisters? ›
Once upon a time there lived three brothers and three sisters. The brothers married their sisters off, one to the sun, one to the moon and one to the south wind. After the sisters had been married for some time, the brothers said to one another, "Let us go and see how our sisters are faring." And so they did.
