One of the most dangerous creatures described in medieval bestiaries is the basilisk. The mythology of Europe attributed 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 creatures, a basilisk often appears on the pages of modern science fiction authors. Among them is Joan Rowling, who made the terrible snake one of Harry Potter's rivals. The basilisk is also mentioned in the Bible. Let's try to figure out why the “king of snakes” is so loved by the authors and why they were afraid of him in the Middle Ages.
How it all started
The most ancient source of knowledge about the creature called "basilisk" is ancient mythology. However, no, not mythology, but rather, scientific treatises. The basilisk is mentioned by Pliny the Elder in his "Natural History", dated I century BC. 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 notes the deadly power of the animal: from his breath and touch, the grass dries and the stones light up. Everyone who sees him dies. Basilisk is the king of snakes. Creeping bastards in fear rush in different directions as the overlord approaches. The basilisk itself moves, half lifting the body above the ground.
Perhaps it was the white speck, resembling a crown in shape, that caused the majestic name. Basilisk translated from Greek means "king." Another name for the creature is regulus, that is, the "little king". According to Pliny, a basilisk lived on the territory of North Africa, in the Libyan desert. As some researchers note, the further transformation of the mythical creature is likely due to the destruction of relations between Europe and Africa after the fall of the Roman Empire.
Basilisk in Egypt
The prototype of a mythological creature is often called the Egyptian cobra. This snake is characterized by a “habit” of moving, having straightened the front of the body above the ground. The horned viper has a certain resemblance to a mythical creature . Some researchers, taking into account such considerations, believe that the often adorned images of pharaohs of the snake are the basilisks, and not the usual reptiles.
In the Middle Ages, a terrible creature acquired many bird features. The origins of such “transformations” can also be found in Egypt. Some scholars point to ibis-related stories. This bird destroys a snake tribe throughout its life. Reptile eggs are her favorite treat. The Egyptians believed that the ibis itself sometimes lays snake eggs. The Roman author Cassian directly says that the basilisks come from just such birds.
Rooster roots
In the Middle Ages, the image of a basilisk is overgrown with new frightening details. Other ideas about his “pedigree” and the conditions accompanying birth appear. The face of the monster is changing. Now he appears in the image of a half-bird-half-serpent. The crown on the head is transformed into a cockscomb, the body often seems toad. From the snake remains only a long tail. Sometimes a basilisk is supplemented with bat wings. Significantly increase the size of the monster. Now the basilisk is considered not a 30-centimeter snake, but a creature the size of a horse standing on its hind legs.
The ancestor of the monster is the old rooster, according to some sources he must be 7 years old, according to others - 100. He lays an egg in a pile of manure. Hatching his toad. According to other legends, a virgin laid under an arm must carry an egg laid by a rooster for six weeks. And only then will the basilisk hatch, ready to fulfill all the orders of the girl.
Interestingly, the rooster that gave birth to the monster could kill him. According to legend, a basilisk leads a nocturnal life, because the cry of a rooster can kill him.
Habitat
With a change in ideas about the origin and appearance, new descriptions of places where the basilisk can find itself appear. The mythology of the Middle Ages significantly expands its habitat. Deserts and caves are still favorite places for monsters. According to legend, the basilisk chose such a dwelling for a utilitarian purpose: he ate stones. However, in the Middle Ages, the monster lived not only in distant Africa, but practically throughout Europe. It was easy to stumble upon him right outside his own house.
Deadly poison
How dangerous is the basilisk? The mythology of the mystery did not. According to ancient and medieval sources, the poison of the basilisk possessed almost instant action. It spread through the air, through blood and touch. In the Middle Ages, the ability to kill a basilisk with a gaze received an interesting explanation: the deadly poison is activated in the creature’s body under the impression of what it sees, is released through the lacrimal glands, and then through the air reaches an unlucky person who is nearby.
Means of struggle
What kind of weapon is the basilisk afraid of? Mythology indicates that it is almost impossible to defeat a monster with a sword or spear. Any touch on the body of the creature leads to the death of the daredevil. Pliny describes a case where a rider pierced a basilisk with a spear. Poison reached the man through the pole and killed both him and the horse underneath.
However, in mythological legends there is not a single creature against whom weapons would not exist. According to legend, Alexander of Macedon invented one of the ways to combat the basilisk. He put an ordinary mirror in front of the monster. The poison, reflected from a smooth surface, hit the basilisk.
In the Middle Ages, travelers traveling to poorly studied regions were advised to take a rooster with them. As described above, his scream scared off and even killed the basilisk. Another animal capable of withstanding a terrible creature was considered affection. 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. Its author is Democritus. The ancient philosopher notes that not every weasel can fight the basilisk, but only one that tasted the leaves of the rue. The plant gives the animal courage. Weasel is able to find a basilisk even in its lair. To protect the water, an image of an animal with rue leaves in its teeth was often located on wells.
Slavic mythology: basilisk - syneril
In the mythology of the Slavs, the basilisk is not such a popular character, but he found a place here too. In general, he has the same terrifying features. Due to the similar sound in the peasant environment, the image of the miraculous snake influenced the idea of cornflower blue. He was considered bewitching and all-pervading, like the poison of a monster. The basilisk was called the “bastard,” or the “cornflower lord.” On Vasilkov Day, which occurred on June 4, it was impossible to sow and plow. If you neglected the rule, it was possible to ensure that the whole field is overgrown with cornflowers.
Magical performances
Not only the basilisk - the mythical creatures of Greek mythology and the Middle Ages as a whole were reflected in the practice of alchemists and magicians. However, the significance of the monster in these branches of knowledge is especially great. The basilisk was the embodiment of wisdom, severely punishing those who are not ready to perceive it, but trying to try on themselves. From this point of view, one can explain a common plot in the visual arts: a basilisk devours a person. Perhaps it has a magical connotation. The basilisk, personifying wisdom, transforms his chosen one, initiates his transition to a new level of knowledge.
A lizard that can walk on water
You can see the basilisk in our time. Moreover, for this it is not necessary to go to the cinema or immerse yourself in magical practices. In nature, there is a lizard helmet-bearing basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons). The small and harmless reptile has a bright green color, long claws on its legs, an impressive tail and powerful hind legs. Males of such lizards are distinguished by a spectacular crest on their heads, which makes them very similar to mythological monsters. The amazing ability of the helmet-bearing basilisk is the ability to walk on water. He can reach speeds of up to 12 km / h and, quickly hitting his hind legs, cross, for example, a pond, practically without getting wet. For this ability, residents of Central and South America, where the lizard lives, relate to it with great respect. The ability to walk on water evokes the image of Jesus in their memory.
A symbol of wisdom and regality, 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 now appearing in heraldry and on pages of fantastic works. Basilisk is now before its bright symbol of the danger of knowledge for the uninitiated. Therefore, its popularity among authors of fiction is so great.