The Basilisk

The basilisk can look like a giant venomous snake or like a being with the body of a snake, and the head, wings, and legs of a rooster. This terrifying beast is known for killing its victims with its gaze.

In his “ Naturalis Historia ”, Pliny the Elder describes the basilisk as a small deadly snake living in Northern Africa. The snake is said to be “no more than twelve fingers in length”. The term “basilisk” comes from the Greek “basilikos” meaning “little king”. This refers to the crown the basilisk has on its head.

This being moves around with its body in a straight upward position. Legends say it can break stones by breathing on them and set bushes on fire. The basilisk’s breath turns the creature’s surrounding environment into a desert. Pliny said that if a person uses a spear to kill a basilisk, then the creature’s venom can climb up the spear and kill the individual.

Woodblock print of a basilisk from Ulisse Aldrovandi, Serpentum, et draconum historiae libri duo, 1640. ( Public Domain )

The basilisk cannot stand the rooster’s song nor can it tolerate the smell of a weasel. To kill a basilisk, one can lure and trap it inside a weasel’s den or throw a weasel into the basilisk’s own den. Also, the crow of the rooster causes the instant death of the basilisk. Another way to kill a basilisk is by making it stare at its own reflection in a mirror.

If the basilisk has features of a rooster, it is known as a cockatrice. A basilisk is hatched by a cockerel from the egg of a serpent or a toad, while the cockatrice is hatched from a cockerel’s egg incubated by a toad or serpent. The cockatrice can also result from a hen’s egg being left on a hill and incubated by a toad. Still, the original version of the basilisk remains that of the giant snake.

The basilisk and the weasel, in a print attributed to Wenceslas Hollar. ( Public Domain )

The Unicorn and Equalacorn

It is believed that there are many different types of unicorns depending on their appearance. Ctesias described a type of Indian unicorn resembling a donkey with a dark red head, blue eyes, white body and a 30 centimeter (11.8 inch) long horn. The horn was said to be white at the base, black in the middle, and red at the top. Cups made of unicorn horns were believed to protect against poisoning, epilepsy, and seizures. However, the unicorn’s strength and temper make it very hard to capture.

In comparison to Ctesias’ description, Pliny defined the unicorn as having a deer’s head, a wild boar’s tail, a one-meter-long (3.3 ft) black horn and elephant feet. He also added the fact that the creature had a low and resonating voice. The equalacorn is very rare. This creature was believed to have a fierce temper just like the unicorn and was said to be very hard to capture.

Almost all agree that the unicorn’s horn is believed to be magical. A medieval tale speaks of how a unicorn placed the tip of his horn into the water of a pond making it clear and pure for animals to drink. Should a unicorn meet an innocent maiden, it would supposedly put its head in her lap and fall asleep. This is also how it was believed that a unicorn could be lured and captured.

A Virgin with a Unicorn . (1602) Fresco by Domenichino . (Public Domain )

The Wyvern and the Ouroboros

In legends, the wyvern has a reptile body and a dragon’s wings, head and tail, and it moves on two legs. The wyvern must not be confused with a dragon. The sea-wyvern was said to have a fish tail instead of a dragon’s tail. Rarely, the wyvern was believed to have the ability to breathe fire. This creature iwas associated with ice and cold weather and could possess a venomous bite - its name being derived from the Old French “wivre” meaning “viper”.

A wyvern from a 14th century Welsh manuscript. ( Public Domain )

The ouroboros is the old symbol of the dragon or snake devouring its own tail. It symbolizes cyclicality, the eternal return and the re-creation of self. In Norse mythology, Jormugandr, the great serpent, encircled the world and grasped its tail in its teeth.

The Hippogriff

The hippogriff has always been presented as a rare creature. Charlemagne’s knights were said to have liked hippogriffs better than horses and they used them more often. This creature is thought to be the result of a combination between a griffin and a mare, thus having the head of a vulture, the body of a horse, strong wings, and the front paws of a lion.

Roger délivrant Angélique (1824) by Louis-Édouard Rioult depicts the scene of Orlando Furioso where Ruggiero rescues Angelique while riding on a hippogriff. ( Public Domain )

The hippogriff can supposedly fly faster and higher than any bird. Also, it was said to be first tamed by the magician Atlante. This creature is believed to have enough strength to fly from one part of the globe to the other. It is also known for teasing those who try to capture it, but once it is tamed it is very loyal.

Featured image: Clockwise from top left: A wyvern ( CC BY ND 3.0 ), unicorn ( CC BY SA 2.0 ), basilisk ( CC BY SA ), and hippogriff ( CC BY 3.0 )

By Valda Roric