Is the basilisk related to Medusa?

The myth of the snaky basilisk is related to that of Medusa, not least because mirrors seem to be the only way to defeat them. Yet, one does not encounter the basilisk as frequently as Medusa in French Renaissance poetry.

How did Medusa die mirror?

Medusa was beheaded by the hero Perseus, who thereafter used her head, which retained its ability to turn onlookers to stone, as a weapon until he gave it to the goddess Athena to place on her shield. Posted in Culture, Inspiration and tagged Ancient Greek Mythology, Greek Designers, Medusa, The Greek Designers.

Who killed Medusa in Greek mythology?

Perseus
Perseus set out with the aid of the gods, who provided him with divine tools. While the Gorgons slept, the hero attacked, using Athena’s polished shield to view the reflection of Medusa’s awful face and avoid her petrifying gaze while he beheaded her with a harpe, an adamantine sword.

What is the difference between a basilisk and a Cockatrice?

The basilisk tends to be shown as a more distinctly reptilian snakelike or lizardlike animal, and usually maintains a deadly petrifying gaze. By contrast, the cockatrice tends to be portrayed as more distinctly avian, with a largely birdlike body bearing a snake tail, bird legs, and wings capable of flight.

What if Medusa looked in a mirror?

4 Answers. It was looking directly into Medusa’s eyes that would turn a mortal to stone, not the whole of her face. Using the shield as a mirror meant that even if Medusa’s gaze fell upon Perseus, it would be at an angle.

What is a Manticore Harry Potter?

The Manticore is a highly dangerous Greek beast with the head of a man, the body of a lion and the tail of a scorpion. As dangerous as the Chimaera, and as rare, the Manticore is reputed to croon softly as it devours its prey. Manticore skin repels almost all known charms and the sting causes instant death.

Can basilisks Shapeshift?

There are a few tell-tale giveaways of a Basilisk namely that they can be detected by spiders and swallows (presumably by detecting its toxic breath) who keep well clear of them and its form of attack by venom which despite being able to shapeshift it invariably leaves upon the ground.

What happens if you look into the eyes of a basilisk?

We know form canon that an indirect look into the basilisk eyes (through camera lens, Nick, mirror reflection, etc) only reduces the potency of the basilisk stare, but still causes some damage (that is, petrification).

Can the Basilisk see the water in Chamber of Secrets?

Edit: The water in the Chamber Of Secrets should be neglected. If a snake moves in water, it sends out ripples which make the image of the Basilisk unclear for it to see itself. As far as I know, no canon info on this, as there is only one basilisk in all of the seven books, so there is no example of an altercation between two of them.

Would a basilisk be petrified by its own reflection?

If I had to take a guess, I don’t think a basilisk would be petrified by its own reflection. The basilisk had to enter the castle and leave through the secret entrance in Myrtle’s bathroom, where there is liable to be a number of mirrors and puddles of water, so it is unlikely that the basilisk never accidentally caught a glimpse of itself.

How did the Basilisk get into Myrtle’s Castle?

The basilisk had to enter the castle and leave through the secret entrance in Myrtle’s bathroom, where there is liable to be a number of mirrors and puddles of water, so it is unlikely that the basilisk never accidentally caught a glimpse of itself.