Basilisk
Medieval European lore describes this serpent as the king of serpents. Its gaze is deadly, and it's reputed to be born from a spherical yolkless egg.
At a glance
- Tradition
- European folklore (general)
- Region
- Europe (place of origin)
- Trait family
- The Stone-Gazers
- Symbols
- Snake
- Kin
- Cockatrice (derived from this figure)
Kinship
Lines of descent added by hand and approved one at a time.
- Cockatrice derived from this figure
why
The Cockatrice is historically an offshoot of the Basilisk: medieval translators rendered the Latin basiliscus as "cockatrice", and the two names were used interchangeably in English bestiaries and Bible translations for centuries before the cockatrice hardened into a distinct monster hatched by a serpent or toad from a rooster's egg.
Near this figure
Symbols
Judged against the description by a model. Meanings are our own paraphrase.
- Snake is Snake is a broad serpent symbol of creation and guardianship; South American traditions name Snake a primordial earth-maker and giver of hunting arts.
why
This mythical beast is said to be born from a spherical, yolkless egg laid by a rooster and incubated by a toad or snake.
Traits
Read from the figure's description, which a model wrote. Open "why" for the sentence a trait came from.
Form
- Deadly gaze
why
Legend has it that a single look from this creature can cause instant death to any living being that meets its eyes.
- Born from yolkless egg
why
This mythical beast is said to be born from a spherical, yolkless egg laid by a rooster and incubated by a toad or snake.
- Born from rooster egg incubated by toad
why
born from a spherical, yolkless egg laid by a rooster and incubated by a toad or snake
- Hybrid of multiple animals
why
often described as a combination of serpent and rooster
- Lethal breath alongside gaze
why
The Basilisk's breath is equally deadly, capable of withering plants and corroding metal.
- Crest or crown marking royalty
why
often described as a combination of serpent and rooster, with a crown-like crest adorning its head, symbolizing its regal status among serpents.
Behaviour
- Weakness to specific animal or object
why
The crow of a rooster is said to be fatal to it, and the scent of a weasel is believed to repel or even kill the creature.
- Deceived or repelled by mirror reflection
why
In some tales, the Basilisk can be defeated by tricking it into seeing its own reflection, turning its deadly power against itself.
Offensive powers
- Petrifying gaze
why
Legend has it that a single look from this creature can cause instant death to any living being that meets its eyes.
- Corrosive breath
why
The Basilisk's breath is equally deadly, capable of withering plants and corroding metal.
- Toxic secretion
why
Its very presence is enough to poison the air and soil around it, creating a desolate wasteland wherever it dwells.
Roles
Judged from the works' own entries, not from the description. Carries: the figure holds the role. Meets: the role is in its stories, held by something it meets.
- Death carries
3 citations
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Basilisk."
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Basilisk."
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Basilisk."
- Shadow carries
3 citations
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Basilisk."
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Basilisk."
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Basilisk."
- Hero meets
3 citations
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Basilisk."
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Basilisk."
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Basilisk."