Nāga
Also called Nga.
Central to Asian mythology, these serpentine beings possess human-like faces. Revered as water guardians, they're believed to control rainfall and rivers.
At a glance
- Tradition
- Indian folkloreBuddhist mythology
- Region
- Asia (place of origin)
- Trait family
- The Rain-Serpents
- Symbols
- Snake
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
These serpentine creatures are characterized by their unique appearance: possessing the body of a snake, often depicted with multiple heads, and featuring a human-like face.
Traits
Read from the figure's description, which a model wrote. Open "why" for the sentence a trait came from.
Form
- Shapeshifts human animal
why
Bane's encyclopedia records a capacity the descriptions of their hybrid form leave out — the nagas are said to shift shape into a cobra or a dragon.
- Hybrid of multiple animals
why
possessing the body of a snake, often depicted with multiple heads, and featuring a human-like face
- Serpentine elongated body
why
These serpentine creatures are characterized by their unique appearance: possessing the body of a snake, often depicted with multiple heads, and featuring a human-like face.
- Multi-headed body
why
These serpentine creatures are characterized by their unique appearance: possessing the body of a snake, often depicted with multiple heads, and featuring a human-like face.
Behaviour
- Rain bringing serpent
why
This connection to water is not merely symbolic; Nāgas are thought to have direct influence over rainfall, floods, and droughts, making them crucial figures in agricultural societies dependent on consistent water supplies.
- Treasure guardian
why
They are often depicted as protectors of sacred treasures or keepers of esoteric wisdom.
- Controls drought and flood
why
This connection to water is not merely symbolic; Nāgas are thought to have direct influence over rainfall, floods, and droughts, making them crucial figures in agricultural societies dependent on consistent water supplies.
Offensive powers
- Weather manipulation
why
Nāgas are thought to have direct influence over rainfall, floods, and droughts, making them crucial figures in agricultural societies dependent on consistent water supplies.
Utility powers
- Shapeshifting
why
The nagas are said to shift shape into a cobra or a dragon, and to carry a precious gem in the head or throat as the source of the magic they work.
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.
- Serpent carries both readings
3 citations
- 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."
- Father meets
3 citations
- 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."
- Hero meets
3 citations
- 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."
- Wise Old Man meets
3 citations
- 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."