talking statue
Speaking stone figure
A talking statue is a statue that speaks—either through supernatural means in folklore and fiction, or through a concealed person or mechanical device in reality.
Renaissance Rome had "talking statues" where citizens posted anonymous satirical commentary, the statue appearing to voice public grievances.
In theme parks and museums, talking statues use hidden speakers for entertainment or education: The kids loved the talking statue in the haunted mansion.
Full of life, or drawn moving
- spellArrange letters correctly
- curseInvoked harm through words
- enchantmentMagical influence over someone
- magicSupernatural or illusory power
sorcery · Pygmalion · Narnia · metamorphosis · awakening · petrified · living stone · supernatural
Structure honoring someone remembered
- tourist attractionSite visitors seek out
- public artAccessible outdoor creative works
- photo opportunityStaged moment for cameras
- guidebookReference for travelers
heritage site · visitor center · sightseeing · plaza · piazza · cultural icon · historical marker · urban legend
Foretelling of future events
- divinationForetelling through mystical means
- oracleAuthoritative wisdom source
- DelphiGreek prophetic sanctuary
- sibylAncient female prophet
augury · omen · seer · soothsayer · utterance · pronouncement · revelation · wisdom
Motorized lifelike puppet
- puppetControlled performing figure
- ventriloquismSpeaking through apparent others
- performanceCarrying out a task
- theme parkEntertainment destination with rides
haunted house · attraction · voice actor · mechanism · illusion · spectacle · entertainment · audience
Public satirical attack
- lampoonHarsh public mockery
- political commentaryOpinion on governmental affairs
- anonymousOf unknown origin
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
subversive · dissent · criticism · epigram · mockery · defiance · censorship · voice of the people
animated
Full of life, or drawn moving
- spellArrange letters correctly
- curseInvoked harm through words
- enchantmentMagical influence over someone
magic · sorcery · Pygmalion · Narnia · metamorphosis · awakening · petrified · living stone · supernatural · fairy tale
monument
Structure honoring someone remembered
- tourist attractionSite visitors seek out
- public artAccessible outdoor creative works
- photo opportunityStaged moment for cameras
guidebook · heritage site · visitor center · sightseeing · plaza · piazza · cultural icon · historical marker · urban legend · conversation piece
prophecy
Foretelling of future events
- divinationForetelling through mystical means
- oracleAuthoritative wisdom source
- DelphiGreek prophetic sanctuary
sibyl · augury · omen · seer · soothsayer · utterance · pronouncement · revelation · wisdom · cryptic
animatronic
Motorized lifelike puppet
- puppetControlled performing figure
- ventriloquismSpeaking through apparent others
- performanceCarrying out a task
theme park · haunted house · attraction · voice actor · mechanism · illusion · spectacle · entertainment · audience · showpiece
pasquinade
Public satirical attack
- lampoonHarsh public mockery
- political commentaryOpinion on governmental affairs
- anonymousOf unknown origin
protest · subversive · dissent · criticism · epigram · mockery · defiance · censorship · voice of the people · graffiti