[Sorta OT] Real World Sources for Mythical Creatures?

[AFGNCAAP]

I was just curious if anyone knew what real world animals served as the source for mythical creatures. One of the best examples, IIRC, is that the rhinocerous was the source of myths for the unicorn.

Anyone else know of any other instances like this?

 

[NiTessine]

Well, it's said that the animals known as manatees, dugongs, or 'sea cows' have served as origins for the mermaid myths.

 

[Axiomatic Unicorn]

I have a great book on this topic. (at least histories of creatures and the underlying facts, if any)

"Mythical and Fabulous Creatures" Malcolm South, Ed.

It lists the cobra, for example as the source of the basilisk stories.

Rhinos have been reported as unicorns.

 

[I'm A Banana]

I always thought the unicorn myth came from the one-horned ibix...I mean....I may be no great mythographer, but something that big with a horn on it's nose can't become something quite a bit different with a horn on it's head, can it?

On second thought, I wouldn't be surprised...but...eep.

 

[Randolpho]

Here's one: men mounted on horses is generally considered the source of the Centaur.

Hmm... I remember someone calling the Portugese Man O' War an inspiration for the Kraken.

Um... Oh... The Celtic People are often considered the inspiration for the Elves or Fey people.

 

[Andrew D. Gable]

I recall that a giant squid or octopus beaching was the basis for the hydra (look on old amphorae, and the monster Hercules is fighting looks rather squidish). Also of the mythical Scylla, I believe.

I'm interested in cryptozoology in a big way...I should know so many more...I know there's a theory bigfoot or something similar was the basis of the satyr myth.

 

[Varius]

The myth of the Minotaur was from somewhere near Greece. Young people would bull fight, but with a variation. They would try and grab the bulls horns and jump onto its back. Then there was something about finding bones of young people in a crypt with bull motifs near them and ritual scars on their bones.

I think that was it...might be wrong....so long since ancient history class...

 

[Mouseferatu]

I always thought the unicorn myth came from the one-horned ibix...I mean....I may be no great mythographer, but something that big with a horn on it's nose can't become something quite a bit different with a horn on it's head, can it?

On second thought, I wouldn't be surprised...but...eep.

Sure it can.

You've gotta remember, first, a lot of these creatures weren't seen clearly or close up. Second, even when they were seen, people often didn't have anyting but their old paradigm with which to express what they saw. Third, in would be quite some time before news of, say, a rhino got back home. In that time, it might have passed through several people and changed in the telling, and even if you were getting an eyewitness account, it was probably quite some time since he saw the critter, and we all know how reliable memory is.

As far as other real world sources, one of the many sources of the vampire myth is a condition--I forget what causes it--when the blood of a corpse gathers in the facial area. This causes red, life-like cheeks, and sometimes a trickle of blood at the corners of the mouth.

(Incidentally, the name "hippopotamus" is from the Greek for "water horse," and there's not much horse-like about them. I just mention it as an example of this sort of thing.)