Basilisk Mythical Creature themed Statues in Basel
While Bern of Switzerland has the big and burly Bears, Basel has Basilisk the mythical creature!
It is the most interesting sculpture we stumbled upon during walking tour of Basel. The weird looking creature was the Basilisk. Never knew of it before. Like dragons of China they are legendary reptiles reputed to be a serpent king. But beware if the Basilisk snake existed today they can kill you with a single glance.
Animal Parade in Basel
There are some interesting animal themed sculptures and installations in Basel. At each bend of the streets there, we would find either a frog popping out or fish crawling over walls and many more. Soon it was a game for my daughters, searching out unique critters.
Wall Art in Basel
Basilisk Mythical Creature
And at one bend we found this unique creature. Unable to recognize, I just clicked its picture. The pic below is Basel’s heraldic animal, I read up later. It is the basilisk, a dragon with a snake’s tail and chick’s head. In European legends, a basilisk is a legendary reptile reputed to be king of serpents and said to have the power to cause death with a single glance.
It features on the city seal and some fountains. We saw an image of it in Basel Munster too.
Image of Basilisk in Basel Minster
Mythical basilisk has features of these animals:
- A huge lizard
- a giant snake
- composite of a reptile and rooster
- head, plumage, and front legs of the rooster
- a reptilian tail sometimes scaly wings, hence described as a cockatrice.
Birth and Death of Basilisk Mythical Creature
My kids got curious about this creature. What is a Basilisk? Are Basilisks of Basel Mythological or Real? I had to read up on Basilisk and I scoured the internet for more info. It is believed that basilisk creature has disappeared from most parts of earth. However according to Cantabarian mythology this creature still lives in Cantabria in north of Spain but rare to find like Yeti in Himalayas.
The stories and beliefs about birth and death of basilisk are so hard to imagine. Basilisk is born from an egg laid by a serpent and hatched by an old cockerel just before his death on a clear full moon night exactly at midnight.
This is reverse of the cockatrice, which hatches from a hen’s egg incubated in a snake’s nest. Yet another story mentions Basilisk is born out of egg laid by a rooster and incubated by a toad.
Within a few days the strange creature pops out of the egg shell, which is soft and leathery. It has all features of an adult: legs, beak, cockscomb, and reptilian body. Though a serpent it walks on its feet, doesn’t wriggle or crawl.
Basilisk  Mythical creature themed water spouts in Basel
But it was a dangerous one because its body was soaked with venom. Wherever it walked the grass dried out! Whatever it gazed died instantly or crumbled to pieces, even hard rock.
Such a powerful animal, obviously killing it was not easy. The weasel is the only animal that could challenge the basilisk to death. However the weasel too dies in the process. Another way the basilisk can die is by gazing at its own reflection.
Basilisk: Interesting related Facts
- There is a reptile from the iguana family named green basilisk lizard. It is also called a plumed or double-crested basilisk.
- Word basilisk in English stems from the Greek βασιλίσκος basiliskos, which translates as “a kinglet, a kind of serpent.”
- Basilisk lives in a cellar or a deep well. Sun’s rays rendered its poison less effective.
- It waits for some unsuspecting human to come by, and overcomes by its noxious vapors.
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Very beautiful as well as interesting pictures. Lovely shots.
lovely pictures, especially the last one.
Very interesting animal themed sculptures!
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http://www.1sthappyfamily.com
like dragons in china or lochness perhaps. ^0^
cool finds and great info.
learning something new everyday. ^-^
Wow, these are beautiful and my favourite is the 3rd one.
Wow! So cool! Love the photos of these amazing sculptures!
Hugs
SueAnn
I like the frog 🙂
Cute shots Indrani
These are very interesting sculptures. I really like that frog, but I'm glad the basilisk is legend — I'd hate to meet up with one.
I very much like the whimsy here!
nice shots.
In Kerala, Old gates are decorated by Lion Sculptures
My Entry For Camera Critters
So fun! I would like to take a walk there, too.. 🙂
Great post as always, Indrani! Lovely captures and interesting information. I do love animals and so do my children. We always had animals and we still do — each one of us — in our homes today! Hope you're enjoying a lovely weekend!
Sylvia
Another fact filled post with good photos! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
That is great that you are interactive with your daughters. 🙂 I bet they have a lot of fun doing that. Great photos!
Great shots of the cool looking statues. my favorite is of the basilisk.
what a fun way to add animal life to a city!
What a great idea to have animals around the streets. Lovely shots.
Excellent captures, Indrani. Now I know where the phrase "basilisk stare" comes from. Next time I hear "if looks could kill" I'll think of this post.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Fun shots, Indrani. Really like the frog water spout! Happy Critter Day!
nice
Very interesting. I often wonder about how such traditions get started.
Beautiful photos with some excellent framing. Saludos
Dear Indrani, I am very pleased that you have with us in Basel discovered these gems. The Basilisk is the heraldic animal of Basel. The Baselikbrunnen stands next to the Natural History Museum …
Kind regards from me to you from Basel Switzerland
Hans-Peter
Love the one of the black…is it a raven? I would like to have that perched on MY window!!
Baby Herons and a Tern Chick is my Saturday post.
Do come over and say howdy if you can find time in your day!! Your visit will make me a happy camper!!! Have a great weekend.