Flying monkeys

Flying monkeys are a fictional species of primate that are often depicted in popular culture, most notably in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. They are characterized by their ability to fly, typically through the use of wings attached to their backs.

Origin

The concept of flying monkeys originates from the L. Frank Baum novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, published in 1900. In the novel, the flying monkeys are controlled by the Wicked Witch of the West, who uses a magical golden cap to command them.

Characteristics

Flying monkeys are typically depicted as having the body of a monkey and the wings of a bird. They are often shown as being capable of carrying out complex tasks and following orders, suggesting a high level of intelligence. In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the flying monkeys are portrayed as being neither good nor evil, but rather neutral beings who are bound to obey the commands of the owner of the golden cap.

In Popular Culture

Since their introduction in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, flying monkeys have become a common trope in various forms of media, often used to represent henchmen or minions. They have appeared in numerous adaptations of the Oz series, as well as in other unrelated works.

See Also

• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
• Wicked Witch of the West
• L. Frank Baum