tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4788904336507460933.post5985768031712067409..comments2023-08-14T11:17:51.973+01:00Comments on The Eclectarium of Doctor Shuker: BEWARE THE BASILISK, O KNIGHT!Dr Karl Shukerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222845702628862829noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4788904336507460933.post-60457320648660933282012-09-10T13:24:06.592+01:002012-09-10T13:24:06.592+01:00Recently, while skimming through antique texts I f...Recently, while skimming through antique texts I found out that the normal Drakones from greek mythology (i.e. no prefix,suffix,additional names etc. So no ketoi,etc.) are always described as combed and bearded. Here an example from Aelian while he is describing cynocephali: "Beneath their chin hangs down a beard; we may compare it with the beards of Drakones, and strong and very sharp nails cover their hands."(Aelian, On Animals 10. 25, translation from www.theoi.com) There are many images on vases,murals,etc. showing those drakones. Now considering that a combed cobra is also mentioned in the Chinese mythological text mentioned in of your many blogs which I cant find atm, I guess the riddle of the cockatrice becomes less of a riddle. And yes, I am fully aware that you might know this all already given that you have written books mentioning this cobra :-)<br />Interestingly, the crowned colubried entirely lacks the beard like growth in every description.Typhonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08087409371952413589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4788904336507460933.post-25620112722199032352012-05-28T11:53:52.566+01:002012-05-28T11:53:52.566+01:00Still working on the stuff from the Krönleinnatter...Still working on the stuff from the Krönleinnatter. Pretty much all sources are in German. Will send you an email.<br />Anyhow, I stumbled upon the description of dragons by Isidore of Seville and found this part very interesting: "It has a crest, a small mouth, and a narrow throat". Yet another crested serpent. The Drakones of Medea do also have a crest and beard like growth in most ancient depictions: http://www.theoi.com/Ther/DrakonesMedea.html.<br />Seems like there are more crowned snakes around than I had expected..Typhonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08087409371952413589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4788904336507460933.post-34293251957083220582012-05-03T15:47:58.525+01:002012-05-03T15:47:58.525+01:00Thanks for the fascinating information, Typhon, re...Thanks for the fascinating information, Typhon, re the "Krönlein-/Kranzl-/Kranlnatter" - this is new to me, and is very interesting. If you have any additional details or references to published articles or books concerning this mystery snake, I'd greatly welcome them, either posted here or directly to me at karlshuker@aol.com - thanks again. All the best, KarlDr Karl Shukerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06222845702628862829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4788904336507460933.post-91438753030739754262012-05-03T12:59:06.455+01:002012-05-03T12:59:06.455+01:00It is interesting to note, that in the german spea...It is interesting to note, that in the german speaking countries, mostly in the alp regions, there is a legendary being called the "Krönlein-/Kranzl-/Kranlnatter" which translates roughly like "crowned colubrid" (cant recall the colloquial name for colubrids atm). It is usually described as being a long white snake with a crown or crown like growth on its head.It is very poisonous but not aggressive if not threatened, harmed,etc. Usually it features as the Queen of Snakes(rarely as King)in stories, legends, fairytales,etc. and nearly always has a positive connotation (being generous, helpful,etc. but very vengeful if angered).<br />Sometimes it gets confused with the "Tatzelwurm" but it has no legs and is thinner and generally more snake-like and ALOT less aggressive.<br />The first picture from the medieval document seems to depict it, even though referred to as basilisk.<br />This snake is different in local legends from the basilisk (at least in the named regions)where the basilisk usually is described more like a cockatrice or like a lizard/toad-cross and never has positive connotations.<br />Quiet possibly that this snake is a cryptid in the alpine regions.Typhonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08087409371952413589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4788904336507460933.post-76048898294382658192012-03-05T15:34:36.329+00:002012-03-05T15:34:36.329+00:00"Basilisk" was originally something quit..."Basilisk" was originally something quite distinct from the "Cockatrice" and it was a Folkloric figure, the "King of Serpents." At one point the religions of Europe were actually Shamanistic and one thing Shamans do is they take astral journeys to chat up the "Controllers" of variorus creatures. The controllers are ranked and there are different levels of their power, the highest being the "Lord of all Beasts" or "King of Beasts"-that we continue to use the Lion as the King of Beasts is no accident: it seems the oldest modern human colonists in Europe brought the concept with them from Africa, and the 30000 year old Lionman figurine from Germany is an early example, but also Hercules is a later survivor in more familiar mythology.<br /><br />At any rate, a shaman would do his OOBE thing and locate the King of Serpents, most usually probably to flatter, threaten or cajole the King to remove the poison fropm one of the Shaman's patients. If the King of Serpents showed favour upon the Shaman (roll d20), the King might let him to know where there was any treasure to be had, because the common belief was that <i> Snakes Just Knew About These Things </i> And if the King of Serpents was in a bad mood, the Shaman had the option of going over his head to one of the other Kings that had authority above the King of Serpents and <i> including</i> the King of serpents. But that was a harder task with a higher difficulty level (minuses to your d20 roll, old boy!)<br /><br />A <i>Cockatrice</i> on the other hand was a different thing and I think probably a large type of pheasant. All sorts of superstitions grew up about it, largely because its range was shrinking throughout historical times partially because of the introduction of other types of fowl, which it viewed as rivals and probably they were ecological competetors with it.<br /><br />The mythical motif of "If it sees you first, you die" is well-known otherwise and in Cryptozoology most famously attached to the "Congo Dragon"-the stories told of the Basilisk and/or Cockatrice are merely an elaboration of the same idea.<br /><br />Best Wishes, Dale D.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4788904336507460933.post-62157299959149024832012-03-03T23:35:33.413+00:002012-03-03T23:35:33.413+00:00Hi Lars, Yes, I've written about the 'para...Hi Lars, Yes, I've written about the 'parasitic worm inside chicken eggs' connection re basilisks in one of my earlier books - it's a fascinating and eminently plausible explanation. Great personal anecdote too - thanks for sharing it here! Good to hear from you. All the best, KarlDr Karl Shukerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06222845702628862829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4788904336507460933.post-2456309853949654402012-03-03T23:31:49.568+00:002012-03-03T23:31:49.568+00:00Hi Karl,
Just saw this - I suppose you know, that...Hi Karl,<br /><br />Just saw this - I suppose you know, that some legends say young basilisks "worms" could sometimes be found in chicken eggs. Indeed if you found a worm in an egg, not so very long ago, old folks would tell you it was a basilisk, and telle you how to get rid of it. When I was 8 years old, I was on holiday at my aunt who had a small farm. One day I was helping her in the kitchen cracking eggs, and in one of them was a worm. Auntie told me it was a young basilisk, and that I should very carefully take it out in her garden and bury it, and then walk three times around the filled up hole. So I did, but not before making a drawing of the egg and the worm. I still got the drawing.<br /><br />Lars ThomasLars Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00415256626457393784noreply@blogger.com