Serpent
A role · 63 figures in all
The coiled ambivalent power: renewal by shedding, guardian coiled around a treasure or a threshold, the encircler, the tempter, the poison that also heals.
A role a story gives a figure, not a picture a figure fits. No reference work prints this as a headword, so the wording and the reading are both ours. What each was read from is not: the works named below, and their entries on these figures rather than the descriptions on this site. How this was made.
56 figures carry it. 7 others meet it without carrying it.
Carried by
Figures whose entries here read as carrying the role itself. Both readings marks a figure two independent readings placed here; one reading marks one.
Ab-ta both readings
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Ab-Ta."
Aido Hwedo one reading
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Aido Hwedo."
- Maria Leach, editor, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, s.v. "Aido Hwedo."
- Patricia Ann Lynch, African Mythology A to Z, p. 8.
Ajatar one reading
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Ajatar."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Ajatar."
- Maria Leach, editor, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, s.v. "Ajatar."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Ajatar."
Amphisbaena one reading
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Amphisbaena."
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Amphisbaena."
Apep one reading
- E. A. Wallis Budge, The Gods of the Egyptians, p. 272.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Apep."
Aqrabuamelu both readings
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Aqrabuamelu."
Azhi Dahaka one reading
- Firdausi, translated by Arthur George Warner and Edmond Warner, The Sháhnáma, p. 125.
Beithir one reading
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Beithir."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Beithir."
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Beithir."
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, s.v. "Beithir."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Beithir."
Campe both readings
- Apollodorus, translated by J. G. Frazer, The Library, p. 474.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Campe."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Campe."
Echidna one reading
- Apollodorus, translated by J. G. Frazer, The Library, p. 339.
- Hesiod, translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White, Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns and Homerica, p. 9.
Feathered Serpent one reading
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Feathered Serpent."
Horned Serpent both readings
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Horned Serpent."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Horned Serpent."
Hydra one reading
- Apollodorus, translated by J. G. Frazer, The Library, p. 495.
- Arthur Charles Fox-Davies, A Complete Guide to Heraldry.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Hydra."
Hydrus one reading
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Hydrus."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Hydrus."
Iblis both readings
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Iblis."
- Damiana L. Eugenio, Philippine Folk Literature: The Myths, p. 97.
- Firdausi, translated by Arthur George Warner and Edmond Warner, The Sháhnáma, p. 125.
Illuyanka one reading
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Illuyanka."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Illuyanka."
Jaculus one reading
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Iaculi."
Jörmungandr both readings
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Midgard Serpent."
- John Lindow, Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs, s.v. "Midgard Serpent."
Kaliya both readings
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Kaliya."
- John Dowson, A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, s.v. "Kaliya."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Kaliya."
Karkadann one reading
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Karkadan."
Kaukas both readings
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Kaukas."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Kaukas."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Kaukas."
Kinabalu one reading
- Damiana L. Eugenio, Philippine Folk Literature: The Myths, p. 217.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Kinabalu."
Kolowisi both readings
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Kolowisi."
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Kolowisi."
- Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz, editors, American Indian Myths and Legends.
Ladon both readings
- Apollodorus, translated by J. G. Frazer, The Library, p. 510.
- Maria Leach, editor, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, s.v. "Ladon."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Ladon."
- Timothy Gantz, Early Greek Myth, p. 6.
Lambton Worm one reading
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Lambton Worm."
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, s.v. "Lambton Worm."
- Patricia Monaghan, The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore, p. 280.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Lambton Worm."
- William Henderson, Notes on the Folk-Lore of the Northern Counties of England and the Borders, p. 281.
Lamia one reading
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Lamia."
- Robert Lebling, Legends of the Fire Spirits.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Lamia."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Lamia."
Leviathan one reading
- E. A. Wallis Budge, The Gods of the Egyptians, p. 278.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Leviathan."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Leviathan."
- Charles Gould, Mythical Monsters, p. 316.
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Leviathan."
Lik both readings
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Lik."
- John Bierhorst, The Mythology of South America, p. 226.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Lik."
Long Ma one reading
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Long Ma (loong Ma)."
Mami Wata both readings
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Mama Dlo (mah-Mah D’low)."
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Mama Dlo (mah-Mah D’low)."
Mamlambo both readings
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Mamlambo."
- Patricia Ann Lynch, African Mythology A to Z, p. 78.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Mamlambo."
Mehen both readings
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Mehen."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Mehen."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Mehen."
Melusine both readings
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Melusina."
- Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology.
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Melusina."
- Arthur Charles Fox-Davies, A Complete Guide to Heraldry.
Mucalinda both readings
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Mucalinda."
- M. W. de Visser, The Dragon in China and Japan, p. 3.
- Maria Leach, editor, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, s.v. "Mucalinda."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Mucalinda."
Mušḫuššu both readings
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Sirrush."
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Sirrush."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Sirrush."
Nāga both readings
- John Dowson, A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, s.v. "Naga."
- Maria Leach, editor, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, s.v. "Naga."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Naga."
Namtar one reading
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Namtar."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Namtar."
- Jeremy Black and Anthony Green, Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia, s.v. "Namtar."
Nehebkau one reading
- Geraldine Pinch, Egyptian Mythology, p. 168.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Nehebkau."
Ouroboros both readings
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Ouroboros."
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Ouroboros."
- J. C. Cooper, An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Traditional Symbols, s.v. "Ouroboros."
Pytho both readings
- Apollodorus, translated by J. G. Frazer, The Library, p. 182.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Delphyne."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Delphyne."
Quetzalcóatl one reading
- Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz, editors, American Indian Myths and Legends.
Rahab one reading
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Rahab."
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Rahab."
- Louis Ginzberg, The Legends of the Jews.
Rainbow Serpent both readings
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Rainbow Serpent."
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Rainbow Serpent."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Rainbow Serpent."
Satan both readings
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Devil."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Devil."
- translated by Lady Charlotte Guest, The Mabinogion, p. 308.
- Firdausi, translated by Arthur George Warner and Edmond Warner, The Sháhnáma.
- Louis Ginzberg, The Legends of the Jews.
Sesha both readings
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Ananta."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Ananta."
- J. C. Cooper, An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Traditional Symbols, s.v. "Ananta."
Stihi both readings
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Stihi."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Stihi."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Stihi."
Takshaka both readings
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Takshaka."
- John Dowson, A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, s.v. "Takshaka."
- M. W. de Visser, The Dragon in China and Japan, p. 4.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Takshaka."
Taniwha both readings
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Taniwha."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Taniwha."
Uktena both readings
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Uktena."
- Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz, editors, American Indian Myths and Legends.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Uktena."
Underwater Panther (Mishipeshu/Mishibizhiw) both readings
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Miskena."
Vision Serpent both readings
- Mary Miller and Karl Taube, An Illustrated Dictionary of the Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya, p. 181.
Walutahanga one reading
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Walutahanga."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Walutahanga."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Walutahanga."
Wyvern one reading
- Arthur Charles Fox-Davies, A Complete Guide to Heraldry, p. 318.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Wyvern."
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Wyvern."
- Rodney Dennys, The Heraldic Imagination, p. 184.
Y Ddraig Goch one reading
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Y Ddraig Goch."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Y Ddraig Goch."
Met by
Figures read as meeting the role rather than carrying it: it is in their stories, held by something they meet, oppose, serve or are destroyed by. It is the commoner reading here, and saying so is the point: a bestiary is largely a catalogue of what the carriers of these roles encounter.
Aisha Qandisha
- Robert Lebling, Legends of the Fire Spirits.
Brer Rabbit
- Jan Harold Brunvand, editor, American Folklore: An Encyclopedia, s.v. "Brer Rabbit."
- Maria Leach, editor, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, s.v. "Brer Rabbit."
Michael
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Michael."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Michael."
- Louis Ginzberg, The Legends of the Jews.
Mullo
- Patricia Monaghan, The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore, p. 343.
Ōmukade
- Michael Dylan Foster, The Book of Yōkai, s.v. "Mukade."
Pyrassoupi
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Pyrassoupi."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Pyrassoupi."
Thunderbird
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Thunderbird."
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Thunderbird."
Not to be confused with: NOT merely having a long body, scales, or being a literal snake with no such role.