Basilisk: mythology and popular culture

One of the most dangerous creatures described in the medieval bestiary is the basilisk. The mythology of Europe ascribed to him an unimaginable appearance and a deadly look. However, the first mention of the monster dates back to ancient times. Like many other supernatural beings, the basilisk often appears on the pages of modern science fiction writers. Among them is Joan Rowling, who made the terrible snake one of the rivals of Harry Potter. The basilisk is also mentioned in the Bible. Let's try to figure out why we love the "king of snakes" authors and why they were afraid of him in the Middle Ages.

How it all began

The most ancient source of knowledge about a creature called "basilisk" is ancient mythology. However, no, not mythology, but, rather, scientific treatises. Basilisk is mentioned by Pliny the eldest in his "Natural History", dated the 1st century AD. E. And created on the basis of more ancient Greek sources. The Roman author describes the creature as a small snake (only 30 cm in length) with a white spot on its forehead. Pliny marks the deadly power of the animal: from its breathing and touch, the herbs dry up and the stones light up. Everyone who sees it, dies. Basilisk is the king of snakes. Creeping creeps in fear are rushing in different directions as the lord approaches. The basilisk itself moves, half lifting the body above the ground.

Perhaps, it is a white speck, in shape resembling a crown, was the cause of the majestic name. Basilisk in translation from Greek means "king". Another name for the creature is regulus, that is, "small king". According to Pliny, a basilisk lived on the territory of North Africa, in the Libyan desert. As some researchers have pointed out, the further transformation of the mythical creature is probably connected with the destruction of ties between Europe and Africa after the fall of the Roman Empire.

Basilisk in Egypt

A prototype of the mythological creature is often called the Egyptian cobra. This snake is characterized by a "habit" of moving, straightening the front of the body above the ground. A certain similarity to the mythical being is also found in the horned viper. Some researchers, considering such considerations, believe that often the snakes that adorn the images of pharaohs are the basilisks, and not the usual reptiles.

In the Middle Ages, a terrible creature acquired many avian features. The origins of such "transformations" can also be found in Egypt. Some researchers point to stories related to ibis. This bird throughout life destroys the snake tribe. Reptile eggs are her favorite treat. The Egyptians believed that the ibis and sometimes lay a snake's eggs. The Roman author Cassian says directly that basilisks originate from such birds.

Rooster Roots

In the Middle Ages, the image of the basilisk is overgrown with new and frightening details. There are other ideas about his "genealogy" and the conditions that accompany birth. The shape of the monster changes. Now he appears in the form of half-spits-half-spoon. The crown on the head is transformed into a cock's comb, the body is often represented as a toad. From the snake there is only a long tail. Sometimes the basilisk is supplemented with bat wings. The size of the monster increases significantly. Now the basilisk is considered not a 30-centimeter snake, but a growth creature with a horse standing on its hind legs.

The progenitor of the monster is the old cock, according to one source, it must be 7 years old, on the other - 100. He lays the egg in a heap of manure. His toad incubates. According to other legends, an egg bitten by a rooster should be carried by a virgin for six weeks under a mouse. And only then will the basilisk hatched, ready to fulfill all the girl's orders.

It is interesting that the cock that spawned the monster could kill it. According to the legends, the basilisk is nocturnal, because the rooster's cry can kill it.

Habitat

With the change of ideas about the origin and appearance, new descriptions of places appear where the basilisk can reveal itself. Mythology of the Middle Ages greatly expands its habitat. Still the favorite places of the monster are the deserts and caves. According to legend, the basilisk chose such a dwelling for a utilitarian purpose: he fed on stones. However, in the Middle Ages, the monster lived not only in distant Africa, but practically throughout Europe. It was easy for him to stumble directly at his own house.

Deadly poison

How dangerous is the basilisk? Mythology of the mystery from this did not. Basilisk poison had, according to ancient and medieval sources, almost instantaneous action. It spread through the air, through blood and touch. In the Middle Ages, the skill of the basilisk to kill with a glance has received an interesting explanation: the deadly poison is activated in the body of the creature under the impression of what is seen, is released through the lacrimal glands, and then through the air reaches the unlucky person who happened to be near.

Means of struggle

What kind of weapon is the basilisk afraid of? Mythology indicates that it is almost impossible to defeat a behemoth with a sword or a spear. Any touch to the body of the creature leads to the death of the daredevil. Pliny describes the case when the rider pierced the basilisk with a spear. Poison along the shaft reached a man and killed both him and the horse beneath him.

However, in mythological tales there is not a single creature against which there would not be any weapons. According to legend, Alexander the Great invented one of the ways to combat basilisk. He placed an ordinary mirror in front of the monster. The poison, reflecting from the smooth surface, hit the basilisk.

In the Middle Ages travelers were sent to the poorly studied region, it was recommended to take a cock with them. As described above, his cry scared off and even killed the basilisks. Caress was considered another animal capable of resisting a terrible being. For the first time, the confrontation between the animal and the basilisk was mentioned in a work dating back to the 3rd century BC. E. The author of it is Democritus. Ancient philosopher notes that it is not all caresses that can fight basilisk, but only one that has tasted the leaves of rue. The plant gives the animal courage. Weasel can find a basilisk even in its lair. To protect water, the animal image with rue leaves in the teeth was often placed on the wells.

Slavic Mythology: Basilisk - Siniter

In the mythology of the Slavs, the basilisk is not such a popular character, but he found a place here. In general, it has the same frightening features. Thanks to the similar sound in the peasant environment, the image of the miracle-serpent influenced the ideas of cornflower blue. He was considered fascinating and pervasive, like a monster's poison. The Basilisk was called a "bruise", or "cornflower blue". On Vasilkov day, which occurred on June 4, it was impossible to sow and plow. If you ignore the rule, you could achieve that the entire field will overflow with cornflowers.

Magic Views

Not only the basilisk - the mythical creatures of Greek mythology and the Middle Ages in general were reflected in the practice of alchemists and magicians. However, the significance of the monster in these branches of knowledge is especially great. Basilisk was the embodiment of wisdom, cruelly punishing those who are not ready to take it, but trying to try on yourself. From this point of view, one can explain the prevalent plot in the visual arts: a basilisk devours a person. Perhaps he has a magical subtext. Basilisk, personifying wisdom, transforms his chosen one, initiates his transition to a new stage of knowledge.

Lizard that can walk on water

You can see the basilisk in our time. And for this it is not necessary to go to the cinema or to immerse yourself in magical practices. In nature, there is a shameless lizard basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons). A small and harmless reptile has a bright green color, long claws on the paws, an impressive tail and powerful hind legs. The males of such lizards are distinguished by an effective comb on their head, which very closely resembles them with mythological monsters. The amazing ability of a helmeted basilisk is the ability to walk on water. He can develop a speed of up to 12 km / h and, quickly hitting his hind legs, cross, for example, a pond, almost without getting wet. For this ability, the inhabitants of Central and South America, where the lizard lives, are treated with great respect. The ability to walk on water evokes in their memory the image of Jesus.

The symbol of wisdom and royalty, a terrifying danger and harmless reptile - all this is a basilisk. The mythology of antiquity and the Middle Ages gave the world a magnificent image, often appearing now in heraldry and in the pages of fantastic works. Basilisk is now before its vivid symbol of the danger of knowledge for the uninitiated. Because its popularity among authors of fiction is so great.