Tuesday, August 30, 2011

History Mystery: Realm of Myths and Legends -8


Unicorn: Mythical and heraldic animal resembling a small white horse with one spiraled horn growing out of its forehead.






WereWolves: Men who, according to ancient superstition, could assume the form and characteristics of a wolf. The term lycanthropy is used to describe both this supernatural ability and the insanity afflicting a person who imagines him to be some kind of animal.



Scylla and Charybdis: In Greek mythology, Scylla was a six headed sea monster that lived on a rock on one side of a narrow strait, while Charybdis was a whirlpool on the other side. When the ships passed close to Scylla’s rock in order to avoid Charybdis, she would seize and devour their sailors.






Pegasus: Winged horse in Greek mythology, that sprang from the blood of the dying Medusa. The hero Bellerophon tamed Pegasus and tried to fly to heaven, but was thrown off. Pegasus created Hippocrene, the fountain of the Muses, when he struck his hoof on Mount Helicon.






Harpies: vicious monsters in Greek mythology often depicted as birds of prey with women’s faces and breasts. In the story of Jason, the Harpies were sent by the gods to punish the blind king Phineus, by stealing his food at every meal. Figuratively, a harpy is a fierce, grasping hag or a merciless sponger.





Cerberus: three headed dog in Greek mythology who guarded the entrance to Hades, the underworld.





Chimera: Fire breathing she monster in Greek mythology, usually represented with the head of a lion, the body of a goat and the tail of a serpent.

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