Sasha Wheeler

Mrs. Graham

CCB-B5

17 November 2003

Are the creatures in Harry Potter related to mythological animals?

Although the Harry Potter books written by J.K. Rowling are fictional, there are many animals mentioned that have existed in ancient myth. Mythical stories, whether they be fairy tales or actual accounts, mention many animals. Not only are the creatures mentioned in the books, but some play very important roles in the plot. The basilisk, for instance, makes up almost the entire basis of the Chamber of Secrets. Also in the story, Harry might have died without the help of Dumbledore's phoenix, Fawkes. Many of the descriptions and actions of the animals in the Harry Potter books are very well researched. Mythology provides the basis for the animals in the Harry Potter series.

The phoenix is one of the most well known mythical birds. It is the universal symbol of immortality, as it dies and is reborn of its own ashes. The Chinese phoenix, called the feng-
huang, was the embodiment of harmony and blessing (Waldherr). The phoenix's call was supposedly exceptionally beautiful, and consisted of all five notes of the classical Chinese musical scale. In its bill, it carried scrolls of sacred knowledge (Waldherr). The benu was the Egyptian phoenix and was depicted as a sun god. It was full of red and gold colors and looked like a heron. "It was said to rise each morning from an eternal flame that burned atop a sacred persea tree in Heliopolis and to return to the tree to be consumed by the flame each evening at sunset" (Waldherr). The Greeks imagined the phoenix as an astonishing bird that resided in the Arabian Desert. They believe that only one phoenix existed and that every five hundred years it would build a nest of rare spices and sweet-smelling woods that would be set aflame by the sun. It was reborn of the flames to live for another five hundred years, continuing the process of life and death.

The basilisk is said to be the offspring of a rooster or hen that mated with a snake or toad. It's name comes from the Greek words meaning "little prince" because it was a serpent bearing a bright spot in the shape of a crown on the top of its head (Borges). The belief is that the serpent could kill with a glance, hence its nickname, "evil-eye". The animals that the basilisk fears most are chickens, roosters, and weasels. At the mere sight of a rooster it shudders, and, at the sound of its crow, it is seized by convulsions and killed (Nigg 76). Men used to put weasels in their lairs that they used for hideouts. When the basilisk saw the weasel, it would run away, allowing the weasel to catch and kill the beast (133). Some are known to be killed by looking at its own reflection. It is said by some that wherever the basilisk's ashes are dispersed, no spiders weave their webs, nor do other poisonous creatures appear (145).

Centaurs have one well-known attribute: when they drink alcohol they get wild and out of hand. They have the bodies of horses but the heads and shoulders of men. They lived far away from civilization high in the mountains. A people called the Lapiths lived near a group of centaurs long ago. They once invited the centaurs to their King's wedding feast, where the centaurs behaved horribly: "They brought no gifts, ate too much, and drank too much" (Rockwell 30). During their drunken state, they attempted to steal the bride, along with all the Lapith women (30). A fight broke out among the Lapiths and the centaurs, and never again did people offer their hospitality to centaurs. The one honest centaur was Chiron, son of the Titan God Kronos. It is said that "He lived in the mountain range of Pelion in Thessaly and was brought up by Apollon, the god of wisdom, and Artemis, the mistress of the animals" (Linkous). They taught Chiron the art of hunting, healing, music, athletics, and divination. Later Chiron himself taught great heroes like Achilleus, Kastor, Theseus, Hercules, Odysseus, and many others (Linkous). As he was a son of God, Chiron was immortal, but he was still able to feel pain. One day, Hercules was in a battle against some centaurs. Chiron came to try and end the battle. Hercules was using poisoned arrows, and when Chiron entered the cave, one struck him. It was an accident, but there was nothing to be done (Linkous). Because of the severe pain he was feeling, Chiron asked Zeus to grant him mortality, and he died (Linkous). He now lives on in the sky, having a constellation named after him.

Among the many mythical horses, one of the most prominent is the unicorn. At first glance, the white creature looks like a horse: it has the same mane and tail. The only distinguishing mark is the horn growing out of its head. In the fifth century B.C. a Greek physician named Ctesias, who loved listening to traders' tales, wrote a book including all of the stories he had learned on his travels (Giblin 8). His description of a unicorn made the strongest impression: he described it as a swift creature, with a white body, red head, and dark blue eyes (8). Most stories state that the unicorn cannot be found by anyone but a young virgin maiden. Hunters would try to capture a unicorn by finding a maiden to lure the animal near. As soon as the unicorn sees the woman, it places its head in her lap, at which point the hunter seizes the unicorn. No one knows where this story came from but most seem to know it. "The unicorn's ability to save one's body as well as one's soul has always been a part of its legend." (Colbert 168). The dust that comes from the horn can be added to a potion as a protection against deadly drugs. Those who drink out of the horns are not subject to epilepsy, otherwise known as the holy disease.

Dragons are supposedly some of the most magical mythical creatures of the world. "In the Far East, dragons are regarded as protective forces associated with water, but in the western world they are creatures of fire" (Waldherr). One of the most famous dragon stories is from Greek mythology. The dragon known as Draco, meaning "watcher" in Greek, protected the garden of the Hesperides for Hera, queen of the gods. He gave his life defending it, and thus gained himself a constellation in honor of his service (Waldherr). Many may recognize the dragon's name as being the same as a main character's in the books. It is not explained why exactly, but the antagonist, Draco, has the same name as the ancient dragon. Western legends usually show dragons as monsters and creatures that terrorize. Dragons are put into stories and movies as the monster that keeps the defenseless princess locked in a tower against her will. The only way to get to the princess is to kill the dragon, thus making the slayer the hero of the story. According to some, the dragon can become visible or invisible at its will. In ancient times, dragons were a part of everyday life. Almost four hundred years ago, sightings of dragons were as common and frequent as whale sightings today (Hogarth 13). Not all dragons were considered monsters: "Chinese dragons are called "lungs" and are considered divine, like angels" (Pickering 125). Although it may seem unlike them, most dragons can be seen with a pearl necklace around their necks. Within the pearl lies all of its strength, and is rendered helpless without it. The divine dragon makes winds and rains for the benefit of mankind (Borges).

Records of creatures half human, half fish, such as mermaids, go back as far as 1800 B.C. Mermaids are usually seen sitting on a rock in the ocean brushing their hair and looking in mirrors. Oddly enough, however, they are usually unhappy creatures. One main story of a mermaid is that of Melusina. She is the wife of Count Siegfried, the founder of Luxembourg, Germany. She had agreed to marry him on one condition: she was to be allowed one full day alone per month (Pickering 128). Because of his love for her, he agrees. Many years later, Siegfried follows her one day. He finds his wife lying in a tub of water as a mermaid. The moment Melusina notices that her secret had been revealed, she jumps out the window into the Alzette River and is never to be seen again (129). The most famous story is Hans Christian Anderson's The Little Mermaid. It tells of a mermaid who falls in love with a prince. The price she has to pay to become human so that she can be with him is the loss of her voice. Not only does she lose what is considered a mermaid's best trait, but she is also never able to profess her love to the prince.

In Egyptian hieroglyphics, the image of the phoenix conveys the passage of time. Writers often use the phoenix as a symbol of undying love and loyalty. In the Chamber of Secrets, Dumbledore tells Harry that phoenixes have red and gold feathers, and are usually beautiful animals (Rowling 207). Not only that, but they can carry extremely heavy loads with their talons, and they have tears of healing powers. Their song can boost and strengthen anybody's heart just by listening, yet it causes fear in the hearts of the impure. A phoenix is approximately the size of a swan, with a glittering golden tail as long as that of a peacock's (315). It has gleaming golden talons for carrying things and a long, sharp beak. It is a gentle animal that is not known to kill [without reason], and eats only herbs (Fantasic 32).

The first appearance of Dumbledore's phoenix, Fawkes, is in the Chamber of Secrets. Harry is in his office because of some problem or another, and notices Fawkes perched by Albus' desk. Not having been in the world of wizardry for very long, Harry is shocked when he sees Fawkes suddenly burst into flames before his eyes. Dumbledore walks in afterward and calms him by explaining that phoenixes burst into flames when ready, and are then reborn of their own ashes (Rowling 207). The only part of a Harry Potter book where Fawkes is known to hurt and not heal is while the basilisk is trying to kill Harry in the chamber. Fawkes soars toward the snake, clawing its eyes out. This prevents the reptile from being able to kill Harry with his stare. He also helps Harry by crying on him. His tears of healing power help a wound that Harry gets in the battle with the basilisk. Without Fawkes there, Harry would have died. After Harry is saved, the three of them (Ginny, Harry, and Fawkes) go toward the entrance of the chamber to find Ron and Professor Lockhart. The chamber is not lit, but somehow Fawkes emits a golden glow to light the way back (324). The fact that phoenixes can carry heavy loads is also illustrated in the story. In order for the five of them to get back into the school, they need to rise into the air and out of the long vertical tunnel. Harry holds onto Fawkes' talons with everybody holding onto each other, and Fawkes is able to carry all of them to safety.

The basilisk has been reported to be dangerous, even from afar: "The Roman naturalist Pliny said, 'He kills all trees and shrubs, not only those he touches but all he breathes upon. He burns the grass and breaks stones, so venomous is he.'" (Colbert 22). It may grow up to 50 feet in length, and is usually a brilliant green color. The male has a plume upon his head, for which he earns his nickname, King of Serpents. Its fangs are exceptionally poisonous, but its main way of attack is its eyes (Fantastic 3). If food is provided sufficiently, a basilisk can live for close to nine hundred years. There is not one clear picture of a basilisk, but many different ones, depending on the origin of the myth. Some look more like a giant snake, while others look more like a rooster with spiny arms with small wings attached, and a tail like that of a snake's body (Borges).

The basilisk in Harry Potter was created by one of the founders of Hogwarts, Salazar Slytherin. In the first third of Chamber, Harry believes he is hearing voices. What he is really hearing is the basilisk moving about the school. When Voldemort tried to kill Harry, he transferred some of his powers to Harry unintentionally. Unbeknownst to Harry, he can communicate with snakes. The only instance of him hearing a snake "talk" before the basilisk is at the Zoo in the Sorcerer's Stone. He has a small conversation with a snake in the confines of the Zoo and set it free accidentally. When Harry finds out that he can talk to snakes, a talent called parseltongue, and, along with the help of Hermione, he realizes that the thing he has been hearing inside the walls is a snake. Not just any snake, but the king of all snakes: a basilisk. In the Chamber, Tom Riddle sets the basilisk on Harry to kill him. Because Tom Riddle is Voldemort when he was younger, he is able to control the reptile; he is a parseltoungue as well. Even though Harry is able to talk to snakes, this one does not listen to him because he is controlled by Tom. The description of the basilisk that Hermione finds is almost exact. She was looking for what Harry was hearing, as well as what was petrifying Mrs. Norris and some of the Hogwarts students. She came upon the description of the basilisk, and realized that the basilisk was causing all of the weird happenings. The only thing not mentioned in actual mythology is the fact that spiders are terrified of it. In the Chamber it says that "spiders flee before the basilisk, for it is their mortal enemy" (Rowling 290). There are a few instances where Hagrid is seen holding or talking about the dead roosters he has found on the grounds. This is because Ginny, semi-possessed by Tom, kills all of them. As basilisks are defeated if they hear a rooster's crow, the roosters had to be killed in order to keep the basilisk alive and able to move about the school freely.

Centaurs have a human head and torso that are joined to a horses body that may be one of many colors. Although intelligent, they inhabit forests because of the way they get out of control in many situations. They are mundanely mistrustful of humans and keep to themselves. They live in herds and are reputed to be well studied in healing, fortune telling, archery, and astronomy (Fantastic 6). They often know the answers to questions asked, but refuse to give straight answers. Many scholars say that the idea of the centaurs is impossible. The equine part of the centaur would die before the human part would, therefore making it impossible for a centaur to live very long, if at all (Borges).

The first centaur in Harry Potter is seen in the Sorcerer's Stone. Harry, Ron, Neville, Hermione, and Draco have to fulfill a detention for being out late. For the detention, Hagrid takes them into the forest to find out what has been killing the unicorns. At first glance Harry cannot decide if the centaur is a man or horse (Rowling 252). As he has not been in the wizarding world for very long, he does not know about centaurs. The first two centaurs mentioned are definitely some of the ones that stay clear of humans whenever possible. These centaurs get angry at Firenze, another in their herd, for trying to help Harry when Quirell/Voldemort attempted to kill him. The three also keep looking up at the stars saying, "Mars is bright tonight" (253-54). It says in the Order of the Phoenix, that Mars shining bright means that a fight must break out soon, and later in the book this fight starts (Rowling 603). Also in the Order, Firenze is offered the Divination teaching position due to the fact that Umbridge fires Trelawney. Because of their dislike towards humans, Firenze is banished by his herd for associating with the students, let alone teaching them ( 601). The rest of the centaurs see this as a betrayal toward the herd. Firenze comes to class the first day with a hoof mark on his chest; a sign of banishment. Centaurs watch the skies for the tides of evil, or for great changes to be made. Although it may take years to understand what they see, they are almost always correct.

Unicorns are among the well known mythical creatures. Although golden when young, unicorns are beautiful white creatures with a horn atop the crown of its head (Fantastic 41). They are very hard to catch and they have long, slender legs. The only instance of unicorns that is worth mentioning is in the Sorcerer's Stone. When Hagrid and the kids are in the forest looking for an injured unicorn, they find silver blood along the path. It is said that the blood of a unicorn can keep a person alive, even if they are seconds from death. The drawback is that the person who drinks it will live a half-life; a cursed life. Killing something as beautiful as a unicorn is an atrocious thing: " Only one who has nothing to lose, and everything to gain, would commit such a crime" (Rowling 258). The unicorn is also mentioned in the Goblet of Fire for a very simple reason. The wand maker Ollivander says that the core of Cedric's wand is made of a unicorn's hair (Rowling 309).

Dragons are some of the most magical creatures. They are said to be difficult to slay because of the magic imbedded in their hides (Goblet 338). Many people fear dragons simply because of what they look like. They have small faces and narrow blowholes, through which they draw their breath and thrust their tongues. Most are said to have a head like that of a horse's, a snake's tail, and may have wings on its sides (Borges). Although considered dangerous, in Asia, the people born under the dragon sign of the zodiac are said to be the best leaders (Colbert 51).

In the Sorcerer's Stone Hagrid acquires a dragon's egg. He keeps it over the fire in his shack until it is ready to hatch, at which time Harry, Ron, and Hermione are present to watch. Although he lives in a wooden house, he keeps the baby dragon until it is nearly the size of his house, yet still not fully grown. After realizing that dragon breeding was outlawed by the Warlocks' Convention of 1709, the trio convinces Hagrid to send Norbert (the dragon) to Romania where Ron's brother works with dragons (Rowling 230). In the Goblet of Fire, the first task of the Triwizard Tournament is to get past a certain type of dragon and get the egg that it is protecting. When Harry first sees the dragons that would be used for the task, there are seven or eight wizards trying to keep each of the four dragons still (326). During the actual task of getting the egg Harry summons his Firebolt so that he is able to fly around the dragon, confusing it. Though the Hungarian Horntail tries to knock Harry off of his broom by hitting him with its tail, one of its main defense mechanisms, and shooting fire at him, Harry distracts the dragon long enough to do a Wronski-Feint and take the egg (356).

Although Sirens are not mentioned in any of the Harry Potter books, they are in distant relation with merpeople. In Fantastic Beasts, Rowling states that Sirens are the oldest recorded merpeople (29). Most mermaids are depicted as beautiful creatures, but the siren is sinister and frightening with lengthy, disheveled claws (Dubois 100). Only when left alone and not interfered with do they sing their beautiful songs and warn sailors of storms.

The only time that merpeople are mentioned in any of the Harry Potter books is in the Goblet of Fire. During the second task of the Triwizard Tournament Harry is given an egg-
shaped object and is told to figure out what it is. When Harry is learning how to use the object, he goes into the Prefects lavatory and he sees a panting of a mermaid across from him. This particular mermaid is very flirty and tries to get his attention while in the bath. The main part of the story where they are mentioned is during the second task. The four champions must go underwater, while battling many creatures, and capture what is most dear to them (Rowling 463). Harry's first glance of the merpeople is when approaching the mer-town. He notices their grayish looking skin, long, dark green hair, and yellow eyes and teeth (497). Because they look vicious, he stays clear from them until he needs one of their spears to cut the ropes to free the people most precious to the four champions. Harry notices that all of the mermen surrounding the area have spears, but when he asks to use one they get defensive and say they aren't allowed to interfere in the task (499). They actually get defensive when Harry tries to help the other people because he is only supposed to help Ron. The mermen hold Harry back and only let go when Krum approaches with a head looking like that of a shark's. Harry's fear of the merpeople comes when they follow him up to the surface of the lake. The entire way up he is worrying about the merpeople holding him down, or even eating him. Although they are not that dangerous, his fears are fallible. Only when he reaches the top does he see the merpeople looking at him with smiles on their faces because of his success.

Among many of the scenes of Harry Potter with mythological creatures, Rowling adds her own specifics. She decides that not only do the merpeople live in villages, but they are arranged as houses would be on land. They also make pets of grindylows, a type of water animal. The wizards that have learned the language of Mermish say that merpeople live in highly organized communities varying in size according to habitat.

Because of the fact that Rowling writes fictional stories, people may think that there is no point in reading them. However, almost all of the creatures mentioned in the books have been real, in mythology, at some point in time. People wanting to research mythological animals in actual stories could read the Harry Potter series and learn quite a bit about the phoenix, the basilisk, and so on.

Works Cited

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Colbert, David. The Magical Worlds Of Harry Potter: A Treasury of Myths, Legends, and

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Dubois, Pierre. The Great Encyclopedia of Faeries. NY: Simon, 1999.

Giblin, James Cross. The Truth About Unicorns. NY: Harper, 1991.

Hogarth, Peter and Val Clery. Dragons. NY: Penguin, 1979.

Linkous, Diana. "Equine Heroes". Equinenet. 25 June 2003. 28 October 2003.

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Nigg, Joseph. The Book Of Fabulous Beasts. NY: Oxford, 1999.

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