Basilisk or Cockatrice? The Mysterious King of Serpents | Monstrum

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A venomous snake who can kill with its gaze alone, the basilisk has terrified us for thousands of years. But it also has another name-the cockatrice. That’s right, the reptile-chicken hybrid creature and the poisonous snake are actually the same monster. Find out how a real snake likely inspired tales of a mythological serpent in the 1st century CE that over time turned into a mythological beast. Crowned “king of serpents” it temporarily grew some feathers, and eventually managed to become the literal embodiment of evil. #basilisk #cockatrice #MonstrumPBS
Written and Hosted by: Dr. Emily Zarka
Director: David Schulte
Executive Producer: Amanda Fox
Producer: Stephanie Noone
Illustrator: Samuel Allen
Editor: Nicole Kopren
Produced by Spotzen for PBS Digital Studios.
The world is full of monsters, myths, and legends and Monstrum isn’t afraid to take a closer look. The show, hosted by Emily Zarka, Ph.D., takes us on a journey to discover a new monster in each new episode. Monstrum looks at humans' unique drive to create and shape monster mythology through oral storytelling, literature, and film and digs deep into the history of those mythologies.
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Bibliography
Abel, Ernest L.. Death Gods: An Encyclopedia of the Rulers, Evil Spirits, and Geographies of the Dead, ABC-CLIO, LLC, 2009.
Alexander, R. McN. “The Evolution of the Basilisk.” Greece & Rome, vol. 10, no. 2, 1963, pp. 170-181.
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Cockatrice." Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 May. 2019.
Browne, Thomas. Pseudodoxia Epidemica: Or, Enquiries Into Very Many Received Tenents, and Commonly Presumed Truths. United Kingdom: Edward Dod, 1658.
Dryden, John. The comedies, tragedies, and operas written by John Dryden, Esq; With A secular masque, being the last of his performances for the stage. Now first collected together, and corrected from the originals. In two volumes. Vol. 2 London: Daniel Brown, 1701.
Edgar, John. Female Virtue, Its Enemies and Friends. London: Nisbet, 1841.
Farquhar, George. The constant couple, or, a trip to the Jubilee. A comedy. Acted at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane, by His Majesty's servants. The third edition; with a new scene added to the part of Wildair; and a new prologue. London: Ralph Smith, 1701.
Ferber, Michael. A Dictionary of Literary Symbols, Cambridge University Press, 2007.
Hildegard. Hildegard Von Bingen's Physica: The Complete English Translation of Her Classic Work on Health and Healing. Inner Traditions/Bear, 1998.
Kaplan, Matt. “Beastly Blends-Chimera, Griffon, Cockatrice, Sphinx.” The Science of Monsters: The Origins of the Creatures We Love to Fear, Scribner, 2013, pp. 33-50.
Lenders, Rob H.J, and Ingo A. W. Janssen. “The Grass Snake and the Basilisk: From Pre-Christian Protective House God to the Antichrist.” Environment and History, vol. 20, no. 3 (Aug. 2014): pp. 319-346.
Lucan. Civil War. Trans. Susan H. Braund. Oxford University Press, 2008.
LUCANUS, Marcus Annæus. Lucan's Pharsalia. Trans. Nicholas Rowe. London: T Johnson, 1720.
OED Online, Oxford University Press, March 2021.
Pliny. Natural History, Book 8. Trans. H. Rackham, 1952.
Sax, Boria. “The Basilisk and Rattlesnake, or a European Monsters Comes to America.” Society and Animals, vol. 2, iss. 1, 1994, pp. 3-15.
The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville, edited by Stephen A. Barney, et al., Cambridge University Press, 2006.
The Flying Serpent, Or, Strange News Out of Essex being a True Relation of a Monstrous Serpent which Hath Divers Times been seen at a Parish Called Henham on the Mount within Four Miles of Saffron-Walden : Showing the Length, Proportion and Bigness of the Serpent, the Place Where it Commonly Lurks, and what Means Hath been used to Kill it : Also a Discourse of Other Serpents, and Particularly of a Cockatrice Killed at Saffron-Walden / the Truth of Thi[s] Relation of the Serpent is Attested, by [Brace] Richard Jackson ... [Et Al.]. London, Printed and sold by Peter Lillicrap, 1669.
Vinycomb, John. Fictitious & Symbolic Creatures In Art With Special Reference to Their Use In British Heraldry, Chapman and Hall, 1906.

[@SinisterSally]

I can see many of the attributes of the cockatrice originating from a cobra. the paralyzing gaze could be the reported hypnotic motion of a cobra or even the painful venom spit of a cobra causing someone to think they are being paralyzed and the weasel weakness might be from someone seeing a mongoose taking down a cobra.

[@jconnor117]

Agreed

[@Beryllahawk]

I too thought first of the king cobra or the spectacled cobra, and the mongoose. I wonder if the ancient peoples were as fond of menageries as later European royalty? Or perhaps simply hearing foreign merchants telling tales - "lost in translation" in this case might have gained us the legendary creature!

[@SinisterSally]

@@Beryllahawk I like to think of it as "zoological telephone" and even nowadays with a camera in everyone's pocket we get stuff like the Montauk monster and air rods.

[@DeRien8]

I was surprised the weasel-mongoose connection to reality wasn't mentioned with the cobra discussion. Guess it's a little bit of a stand-out on its own.

[@greensteve9307]

Yep, exactly what I thought!

[@Googledeservestodie]

"I'm scared of meeting a cockatrice milord" "Hmmm, you know just carry a Rooster around and Pokemon battle it"

[@orcus6893]

Rooster used crow It's super effective Basilisk fainted

[@kingrahzar9351]

Don't ya mean weasel?

[@dart.115]

@@kingrahzar9351 She literally says Roosters can in the vid too lol

[@waranontwiwaha9385]

@@kingrahzar9351 Weasel is the back up. In case the rooster is dumb and wouldn’t crow at the exact moment...

[@MrTroxel]

The Basilisk Cockatrice Connection is my favorite indie folk band

[@lucassmith7770]

Oh, BasiTrice?? They might just sound similar, I am not sure....

[@bengalas2085]

Is that actually a thing cause I don't wanna search it and look a fool, but I would probably agree

[@MrTroxel]

@@bengalas2085 I made it up, but it could also actually exist, I have a habit of doing that

[@Logan7281X]

I dunno. Whenever I listen to 'TBCC', I always feel stoned.

[@v.9964]

Frozen by sight was an amazing song.

[@RichardSekmistrz]

Could you imagine playing D&D with Dr Z? Epic.

[@jconnor117]

Now that would be scary. She'd be so damn OP!

[@empoleonmaster6709]

She would 100% be the amazing DM that does too much research on every potential creature in the campaign and makes it a life changeingly awesome experience.

[@izthistle6196]

I want to play Dr. Z’s homebrew campaign it would be so epic

[@empoleonmaster6709]

Let's be honest here, if you were to play in a campaign run by her, you WILL come out of it with a degree in cryptozoology and a vast understanding of the importance of the creatures in their native cultures.

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

I have a feeling there would be many a butthurt "rEaL gAmErS" trying to "Well Ackshually" her, nitpicking everything she might share about mythical creatures because they're the kind of miserable pedants who are deeply insecure about women who know more than they do.

[@NewMessage]

I'll admit... If I saw a chicken-snake, I'd be pretty petrified. Just imagining how it's parents got together would inspire horror.

[@pepesylvia848]

Bird sex and reptile sex is often generally identical. The parts all work the same, I think.

[@jeremylackey6587]

A snake that lays an egg that is sat upon by a hen will become a cockatrice

[@ninomcterenceyaco7344]

@@pepesylvia848 because birds are phylogenetically reptiles too?

[@pepesylvia848]

@@ninomcterenceyaco7344 birds are basically fuzzy reptiles tbh

[@ninomcterenceyaco7344]

@@pepesylvia848 not just that, birds are dinosaurs too.

[@tobybartels8426]

‘I dreamed I saw a basilisk That basked upon a rocky shore. I looked upon the basilisk … With eyes of stone I looked no more. I dreamed I saw a cockatrice A-chewing on a piece of bone. I gazed upon the cockatrice … One cannot gaze with eyes of stone. To look upon a basilisk Is really never worth the risk. To gaze upon a cockatrice Is permanent and never nice. For it can never be denied: Life isn’t pleasant, petrified.’ -Neil Gaiman

[@pepesylvia848]

3/5 ⭐

[@tobybartels8426]

@@pepesylvia848 : It would have been better if Gaiman hadn't used ‘never’ so much towards the end. But to his credit, he acknowledges this.

[@UnironicallyToast]

Want an honest review? The perspective’s shot to hell, the colors could be better chosen, and the olive tree on the left looks like an overgrown stinging nettle. 0/10 talking doggos not impressed

[@garycarpenter2980]

Nice poem

[@wayner396]

First 2 verses are great, didn't quite stick the landing in the third verse. Still like it though

[@i.m.evilhomer5084]

By sheer coincidence, the cockatrice looks like a medieval depiction of our current scientific understandings of bird-like Dinosaurs. Just look at reconstructions of Yi qi, Citipati, Stenonychosaurus or Microraptor.

[@pepesylvia848]

Flintstones earth theory confirmed

[@LowellMorgan]

How could they leave out Yi Qi?!

[@B2WM]

It's like the cockatrice was the post-Jurassic Park art vs. the basilisk was the early King Kong era depiction of dinosaurs. It does kinda make one wonder if other civilizations found paleo-feather impressions way before we ever recorded them...

[@i.m.evilhomer5084]

@@B2WM In my personal opinion, it wouldn't surprise me if bird or bird-like dinosaurs fossils found in lagerstätte may have given rise to the phoenix myth. In the past, fossils have been used to explain certain mythical creatures or phenomena. Ammonites were thought to have been petrified snakes. Prehistoric pygmy elephants & mammoth skulls may have been mistaken for the skulls of giant humans & given rise of the tale of cyclops. The "Monster of Troy" vase depicts a skull of a monitor lizard. Infamously, some have suggested that the griffin was based on Protoceratops. However, that last claim has since been dismiss. Also, this wasn't limited to the prehistoric animals. For example: Narwhal, antelope, wild goat, ox & rhino parts were used as evidence for the existence of the unicorn for centuries.

[@Servellion]

Was literally about to mention this. I love that out of all the outlandish creatures, the weird snake chicken is somehow the closest to being an actual thing.

[@AlbertSpice]

Basillisk: "I am the literal embodiment of evil" Weasel's: "And I took that personally"

[@jamesknapp64]

the Honey Badger (which is a Weasel) don't give a F about your Basilisk evil!

[@NobodyC13]

@@jamesknapp64 Honey Badger just takes what it wants.

[@Imperiused]

I borrowed a book from the library as a kid that had a cockatrice/basilisk story in it. The basilisk was depicted as a snake with a rooster's head, and it was really something. I still remember its look all these years later vividly. Just wish I remember what the book was.

[@dubuyajay9964]

"The Encyclopedia of Things That Never Were?"

[@lindseyshupee]

That's really cool.

[@Imperiused]

@@dubuyajay9964 Looked it up, but it doesn't look like that's it. This book had different artwork -- brighter colors, less detail.

[@kingrahzar9351]

I check out a book at my library in Wichita falls TX that has basilisk and cockatrice in it called "the mythic bestiary" it might not be it, but eh, who knows 🤷?

[@marim0y]

This show continues to amaze me with its levels of detailed research and gorgeous artwork. Thank you for always making some of my favorite KZbin educational videos.

[@Rahru]

The lack of bloopers at the end suggests that, this time, Dra. Z has nailed the whole video in the first go.

[@jamesknapp64]

Or the bloopers weren't that funny

[@minhduyphan2929]

Basilisk: King of the snake Jǫrmungandr: Am I a joke to you?

[@DragonKitty666]

"Seductive and scarry " *Looks at my pet boa. * Oh you diva so cute

[@Tentacular]

It's interesting how the legend of this mythical creature basically started out as a PSA warning people about snakes and then over time it pretty much developed into Godzilla.

[@misuteri8373]

JK Rowling could've integrated the myth of the basilisk and the weasel so easily by letting Ron fight the monster. But oh no, we need more of the chosen one...

[@pepesylvia848]

Bro the fight was so unsatisfying with that knob-ended safety sword

[@anonymousoff-brand7538]

@To The Horror you don't actually know what's being talked about, do you? kinda impressive, given how much it osmoses into pop-culture. granted, what you said wouldn't have to be altered too much to make it work.

[@mechanomics2649]

Rowling was incredibly lazy in her borrowing from various cultures.

[@rhysofsneezingdragon1758]

Shouldn't it be Malfoy, since he literally got turned into a weasel?

[@misuteri8373]

@@rhysofsneezingdragon1758 maybe, but that was two books later

[@PhilowenAster]

Just an amusing anecdote: about the time I read 'Chamber of Secrets', my family had a whole lot of barn cats, some of whom were friendly...most of which were feral, and definitely didn't want anything to do with people. There were also a lot of kittens born around this time, so, naturally, we kids would head out to the shed and barn to get a look at the kittens and hopefully find one or two friendly enough to play with. One of the places they sheltered was under an old freezer, lifted up on two pallets. One day, I went out to look for kittens, and hear them mewing, I got down on my hands and knees to look under the pallets to see if they were there. I saw at least one, a little black-and white face...and behind it, glaring at me with the same evil intent as on the cover illustration in the book, were two evil yellow eyes. They belonged to one of the mama cats: a fluffy black creature who turned out to be one of the meanest cats we ever had--she would actually try to attack us. Her name, shortly thereafter, was 'Basilisk'.

[@LuinTathren]

Can I just say: Dr. Z's hair looks amazing! She must be using mermaid tears and unicorn blood for shampoo and conditioner.

[@lemmeuseyourecvmassunscree9389]

More like unicorn poop🦄💩

[@marim0y]

It's so shiny! ✨

[@thecommenter8751]

Bro you are nerd

[@Sketchy_Dood]

Definitely some water nymph extract too

[@JurassicKM]

SHHH! That information's not supposed to get out!

[@Hallows4]

Fun fact: In Harry Potter, the basilisk and cockatrice are apparently VERY different creatures. Catching one of the latter was a task in an 18th century Triwizard Tournament, so presumably it wasn’t nearly as deadly as Slytherin’s Monster.

[@cringeperson6333]

not to be that guy because you make a good point It was also said that the Triwizard Tournament caused so many deaths that it was discontinued so they might still be equally dangerous, but You do make a good point and are probly correct

[@bman296]

@@cringeperson6333 I also think that just cause two monsters share similar abilities and traits they aren't necessarily the same. For example wyverns and dragons share many traits. Reptilian, have wings, carnivorous, can fly, etc. But they're not the same creature related but not the same

[@nickmalachai2227]

@@bman296 wyverns and dragons are, in fact, the same mythological figure. Dragons are not morphological defined.

[@alastorcorvus]

@@bman296 wrong, like with most ubiquitous fantasy monsters, they can change form and origins, but they're still the same mythological creature. Like myths themselves, they change and evolve depending on the culture and time. Wyverns can be Dragons and viceversa, same with Basilisks and Cockatrices, they're either the same creatures or different ones depending on who and *when* you ask.

[@sheilashineleofany822]

@@bman296 No wonder in some manga I've read, Author decide to put Basilisk and Cockatrice as a different species but under the same family in the world building

[@MarfTheUnbearable]

I'm leaning toward cobras being the inspiration. They rear up when threatened, flair out that hood around their head that sometimes has patterns on it, and some species are predated upon by the vaguely weasel-like mongoose.

[@sparkslegends7482]

Basilisk: I'm the king of snake! jormungandr: Really?

[@LV226]

Grass snake: hold my dung pile

[@ladyserenity3557]

My first thought about snake monster was Jormungand.

[@oddsavage]

That is not this... at all. But ok.

[@elif6908]

Mine is Shahmaran, I imagine it’s regional.

[@thecommenter8751]

Mine is my ex

[@dubuyajay9964]

What about Hydra? Typhon? Apep? Even Lucifer?

[@DerAykac]

@@thecommenter8751 You won this

[@thatweirdartist9852]

I saw this on my favorite creature and immediately clicked

[@exlibrisnoctis]

Same!!!!

[@FIRING_BLIND]

Loving the tie in to Medusa about using its reflection to defeat it-also makes me wonder if that's why JK Rowling had her Basilisk petrify people

[@kingrahzar9351]

Bit miffed that the catoblepas from Africa (which looks like pumbaa with Medusa's eyes btw) wasn't mentioned but then again its not as popular as most mythic critters

[@NovaSaber]

Cockatrices have been associated with petrification at least as far back as the original Final Fantasy, and I assume that game got it from D&D.

[@NobodyC13]

The Harry Potter Basilisk was capable of the Death Glare, Moaning Myrtle was a canonical victim, only for the victims in Chamber of Secrets to petrify through plausible means: reflections or looking at it indirectly (like though a camera or a ghost). I think Rowling was acknowledging both ideas in the history behind the basilisk myths (even Harry recreates the Soldier of Pharsalia story when he thrust the Sword of Gryffindor through the Basilisk's skull, got impaled with one of the fangs, and nearly succumbed to the venom). Plus the venom was potent even six years after the serpent's death and its ties with Slytherin and Voldemort follows the Satan elements/archetypes.

[@roswynn5484]

@@kingrahzar9351 too many monsters, you could talk about anything then. The catoblepas was originally known for its deadly poison breath, because it ate venomous plants, iirc. Then of course that legend evolved too. Anyway yeah, a wildebeest with a very big, heavy, permanently lowered head. Or something.

[@lilpinoydemon]

Fun fact: I grew up in Switzerland in a city called Basel-Stadt which has been named after the Basilisk. We have them all over the town on fountains and statues and serve as a type of guardian.

[@m.f.hopkins8728]

Great to know; I'd love to visit the city and see them!

[@jessicaclakley3691]

Whoo hoo!!! Love Monstrum and Dr. Z! Stoked to learn the connections between these mythological creatures

[@jvillanueva7707]

I got glued to the KZbin for 11mins like a basilisk stare! I love the way y'all analyze the natural world links and historical context behind the mythical creatures. Great job as always, Dr Z and crew!

[@eomguel9017]

Very interesting as always. As far as I know, in Spanish there is no cognate for cockatrice, so both creatures (giant serpent and serpent-rooster hybrid) are called "basilisco." However, before HP's basilisk became mainstream, I believe depictions of the "basilisco" would more commonly resemble a cockatrice, whereas the giant king of serpents would be called "régulo," a diminutive and pejorative form of "rey" (king), i.e., kinglet. Definitely a common origin there.

[@ourresidentcockney8776]

Legend has it that humming the tune of Pop Goes The Weasel is the only way a human can fight the basilisk's hiss.

[@LV226]

You gotta make sure to slug em’ as soon as you get to the end of the song or it gets a +10 illusion buff and you get a -5 to magic resistance

[@safaiaryu12]

The Pharsalia is hardcore. I translated the part with Scaeva in college and it was intense. Fighting with a forest of spears already sticking out of your chest? Badass.

[@JulianoAJ]

I've known as Basilisk from Harry Potter and Cockatrice from MLP, though in portuguese BR they're both called Basilisk.

[@adaterlikci1655]

I grew up in Switzerland aka Basel and Basilika was our logo.We have fountains that have the Basilika on them.It’s basically everywhere in the city

[@roswynn5484]

So you're basically devil worshippers? 😁 Is Basilika the name of your heraldry's basilisk?

[@adaterlikci1655]

@@roswynn5484 So no technically basilisk is not in our heraldry but there is a lot of statues in houses where two basilisks are holding the heraldry.I don’t if you would consider devil worshiping since it’s just a more symbolic thing now.

[@roswynn5484]

@@adaterlikci1655 Yeah I was just kidding about devil worshipping 😊 So basilisks hold your heraldry in a number of place, but the heraldry itself has no basilisk? I'm trying to figure out what is this Basilika you were talking about. A basilica is mainly a kind of Roman-era church, like St Peter in Rome and St Mark in Venice. It's the architectural style before cathedrals more or less

[@adaterlikci1655]

Oh I didn’t meant to write basilika I have autocorrect so sometimes it writes stuff own

[@roswynn5484]

@@adaterlikci1655 hah! 😁 Got it.

[@rami_ungar_writer]

It's crazy how some monsters evolve over time. Sirens, basilisks, and vampires have all gone through the weirdest changes depending on who's telling the story about them. Makes you wonder about what other monsters have or will go through drastic and unexpected evolutionary changes.

[@tooost1886]

I love the Chicken Dragon but please do the drop bear

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

ROTFLMAO! 🤣 You mean the prank Aussies pull on the gullible (mostly American) tourists bear. 🐨 It's almost as good a prank as the story of the. Dreadful Deadtread Beast that lurks by the side of Australian roadways. 🤣

[@tooost1886]

Yes

[@tooost1886]

But he still counts as a monster

[@Mr0ferris0]

I love when we see where folklore and biology meets, Its when we see a deep dive onto Manticores and their comparison to tigers (orange not being noted as a colour until recently) that i feel this will be even more obvious

[@roswynn5484]

The Persian mardhkora, man-eater (like many tigers who accidentally get a taste of human meat). It was described as red, which was probably their way of saying tawny/orange (fulvus in latin). I do wonder where the human face and scorpion tail come from though!

[@anonymousoff-brand7538]

@@roswynn5484 weird features probably came from people embellishing, i'd guess.

[@roswynn5484]

@@anonymousoff-brand7538 yeah, guess so. It would be nice though if Dr Z made an episode about it!

[@S08R01]

The Basilisk is quite similar to Vasuki - The king of Serpents, in Indian lore. He too has a gem on his head called the ‘Nagamani’ and is the king of all the ‘Nagas’ or snakes.

[@m.f.hopkins8728]

Nice. I always thought the basilisk was male!

[@dubuyajay9964]

Has there ever been a Naga Rajah? I am curious despite the bad pun. Sorry. :(

[@magabre3212]

Very fascinating theory on how they both are combined through the grass snake and abnormalities they couldn't explain with chicken eggs before more knowledge and science. Freaking amazing as always Dr.Z! :3

[@MysticMermanSkyler]

As a reconnecting Cherokee/Tsalagi person, when you mention the crest/Crown/white spot, my mind immediately went to our sacred creature the Uktena that is said to have a blazing Diamond in its head that entrances people to run towards it. It also has the venom and deadly breath aspect of the Basilisk. Would love to see a video on Uktena, to compare and contrast the two Serpent Kings from opposite sides of the Atlantic.

[@meganofsherwood3665]

Okay, that would be really cool!

[@ljjones2845]

I never thought studying fictional creatures would be so fascinating. Ma'am you definitely picked something you are passionate for!

[@amazedsatsuma]

I'm sure every White Mage is ready to cast Esuna or Soft when viewing this video:P

[@francisharkins]

Got petrified, blame the White Mage. -A Dragoon.. probably dead already.

[@surriyajabeen2646]

I watching this video in the dark on my bed with only the noise of my ceiling fan moving

[@janiseallen239]

Spooky lol

[@surriyajabeen2646]

@@janiseallen239 nah at least I wasn't alone

[@GLSnifit]

"Plus....you know....patriarchy" I love this show

[@RicardoNecrofear]

"Secretive, slithering, seductive and scary" Whoever writes these is just aiming for the blooper reel at this point xD

[@parcormasteryesiknowispell4337]

is no one going to talk about how insane it is the the story of this monster is as old as the first century? That's insane to me how a story can last so long without being lost to time. Brings a whole new meaning to "legends never die."

[@blauesserpiroyal2887]

interestingly we don't have an extra word for cockatrice in German and just call them Basilisk too. That always confused me, but suddenly makes a lot more sense. Also may I suggest the "Lindwurm" for a future episode, or would that be too similar to dragons?

[@pepesylvia848]

Also, why is there like 4 or 5 words for snake in Spanish like wtf how many ways u gotta describe it before you smash it with a rock

[@roswynn5484]

@@pepesylvia848 or it bites you and sends you to the nearest hospital 😁

[@roswynn5484]

The lindwurm would be great!

[@pepesylvia848]

@@roswynn5484 exactly!

[@lilbasenji1]

It’s a great day when there is a new monstrum video. I would love to see a video about unicorns, Pokémon, selkie, the underwater panther, Kirin, or Mokele-mbembe.

[@TheMewtata]

One of those things is not like the other

[@roswynn5484]

Pokèmon is a bit big as a Monstrum episode though, isn't it?

[@roswynn5484]

Also *what* underwater panther? Never heard of anything like that... by any chance you mean the Aztec ahuizotl?

[@lilbasenji1]

@@roswynn5484 it’s a mythical creature from Native American legends. It’s a creature that opposes the Thunderbird and a creature of the underworld.

[@roswynn5484]

@@lilbasenji1 nice! Thanks for mentioning it then!

[@steelytemplar]

I have usually seen basilisks portrayed as large four-legged reptiles capable of turning its victims to stone with its gaze. I was really surprised to see it as a snake.

[@tankenming4760]

There's a Digimon called Kokatorimon that is based on the cockatrice. Interestingly enough, it's signature technique, Frozen Flame Shot takes inspiration from the cockatrice's ability to turn its victims into stone.

[@samuelaraujomedeiros6682]

I already knew most of those things because of Pathfinder. My players' characters were hired to destroy a cockatrice nest down in Waterdeep's sewers. The monster's profile in the Bestiary got me so hyped that I made them research about cockatrices in-game so that they wouldn't die, because the cockatrice was relatively stronger than the PCs. In the end they bought a rooster and release it into the nest to distract the cockatrice. They killed the thing and nobody took any damage. Including the rooster. Which is probably dead by now anyway because I think the players just left him in their estate without any food or water while they were adventuring. The things you learn playing TTRPGs...

[@nicktwolf]

It's always a good day when a new Monstrum comes out. I had to laugh when the conversation turned to cockatrices and there was a reminder of a new episode of Good Mythical Morning on the side.

[@BeatrixTomomizu]

I'm hyped, everytime I see a new video from monstrum and I love, that it always lives up to my hype~ I did not know that those two beasts are the same to be honest... always thought the basilisk is a really big snake with a glance that can kill you and the Cockatrice was the one with the upper half chicken... Now I'm wiser and I love it!

[@art.lugubrious4208]

ok but as a slavic person i have literally never heard of cockatrice other than in my little pony when i was a child- i remember being confused about why they didn’t just call it a basilisk. it was very interesting to hear about the connections and origins of both of the creatures!

[@rickcharlespersonal]

I'm disappointed the predator-prey relationship between the mongoose and spitting cobra wasn't specifically mentioned, it's a real-life analogue to a serpent-killing weasel that to me sounds like a really plausible origin to the myth.

[@johnsteiner3417]

Look up a set of short KZbin films collectively called "Legendy Polskie." One of them is the Basilisk, and it's really good.

[@weronikadabek5635]

Yeah, it's like one of the popular legends from Poland - about a basilisk in a basement (?? I'm almost sure it was in a basement, maybe my memory is tricking me right now...) So, the lesson is: clean your basement from time to time. Ok, so quick research tells me that was like dungeons in Warsaw... close enough?

[@roswynn5484]

Do they call it a basilisk? Isn't it by any chance an aitvaras?

[@weronikadabek5635]

@@roswynn5484 no, I'm pretty sure they call it "bazyliszek"... I'm not an expert, but it seems to me that a lot of polish legends imported monsters from other places. That's why the video that was mention was called "Operation Basilisk". Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4SVqYd9gaioY68

[@johnsteiner3417]

@@roswynn5484 Many times they call it a basilisk, yes. Though, they go with a quadrupedal reptile-bird hybrid, but it's still good.

[@roswynn5484]

@@weronikadabek5635 Polish legends import monsters from elsewhere? That's weird! Poland has a lot of cool creatures!

[@abigailblackstock4928]

So, fun fact about chickens: they connect to whatever egg they're sitting on, so you can legitimately put anything under them and they'll raise whatever hatches. There's a type of bird that takes advantage of that, actually. So that could be part of it. Also, in a large flock of hens, one will take charge and act as the rooster, it's generally what triggers that imbalance mentioned. She'll grow a bigger comb and may even try to mount other hens to assert dominance. I had two hens that looked like roosters. They were sisters, though, so they didn't compete, thankfully. The only difference without getting invasive is that roosters crow, but hens acting like roosters won't or can't. They will make a boatload of noise, though.

[@stevesmith1383]

would be cool to see a video about how mermaids fused with sirens

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

"The basilisk has shown itself! We must use my spear to slay it!" "No! We must pray to combat it." "Pfft. Amateurs." *reaches into pouch, takes out weasel, yeets it at the basilisk* *everyone turns and looks* Works every time.

[@deaganachomarunacathasaigh4344]

There is a defect in chickens known as Cockatrice syndrome. This happens when a chick hatches and has a prehensile tail. Sometimes the tail can grow long as the chick matures or will be hidden by the tail feathers. They were killed when born as they were seen as evil creatures. It is extremely rare though. The legend of the weasel killing the cockatrice comes from the predator of chickens being weasels, stoats and mink. The Cockatrice would be killed because weasels are very good at killing chickens. And So the Legend was born Id love a little tailed chicken to add to my flock though. Genealogists are actually doing a chickenasaur project. This is basically geneticly modifying a fertilised embryo and adding more reptillian dna to see what the closet living creature to the t rex looks like with reptilian features including a tail and toothed beak

[@thestudio66]

and that, is why birds astound me.

[@hunternorth8817]

Liam Neeson's voice + Bruce Willis's steely gaze + Geralt of Rivia's iron will = one seriously badass dude that would make any monster tremble in fear.

[@cramerfloro5936]

I distinctly remember seeing one medieval woodcut of two witches brewing up a storm, with the description saying that it was believed you’d need to cook together a snake and a basilisc to use witchcraft for changing the weather

[@jasperchase5811]

Dr Z is so articulate and easy to listen to

[@klaythoring1326]

There’s no channel yet for otherwords but I suspect it will be my new second fave (after monstrum, of course)

[@beautifulandfullofmonsters9368]

Hey Dr. Z, thanks for another great video! I’ve always been fascinated by and would like to know more about monstrous/mythical birds like phoenixes, thunderbirds, rukhs or rocs, the Simurgh, FengHuang, or the Stymphalian birds! Any chance we’ll get an episode about any of them?

[@sierraelliott4383]

I just found your channel and I have almost watched everything you’ve produced! I love the lore and history associated with the monsters. Great work to the whole team!

[@mikeaddison6651]

YES YES YES, Thank you for this episode!

[@someamvcreator3878]

I can almost guarantee the whole weasel part came from someone in ancient times witnessing a mongoose fight a cobra

[@nyarparablepsis872]

Awesome episode! Loved the distribution of cockatrice and grass snake in ancient bestiaries. Kind of reminds me of the camelopard! Pity that one didn't become a symbolic mythological beastie... :)

[@abigailblackstock4928]

Also, odd request, if you get the chance, could you explain the origins of the Nightmare? It's a horse made of fire, smoke and shadow (think Balrog, but equine). It features in DnD and appears in some modern fictions, but I've no idea where it comes from.

[@medusa_slayer]

I've been waiting and asking for this video for so long. FINALLY my prayers have been heard! Basilisk is probably my favourite creature-monster when it comes to snake and dragons! 😈🐍🐉🐲

[@Aman-mf2ml]

I keep hearing bacillus like the bacteria, and I wonder if this monster had something to do with its naming

[@spiffy6845]

The 8 people who disliked the video were basilisk in hiding

[@leftcoaster67]

Or they turned to stone?

[@ericthompson3982]

My 13 year old son and I are both addicted to your channel. Your content and delivery are just so awesome.

[@nightthought2497]

"along with, you know, patriarchy" shots fired

[@picksalot1]

Dinosaur bones are probably the origin of many monster legends. Who can blame the ancients, and old cultures for filling in with their imaginations the nature of truly terrifying appearance of what we now understand as dinosaur bones. I enjoy your videos. Thanks

[@nicholaslienandjaja1815]

Fun fact: The Pokemon Giratina in its Altered Forme is based on a basilisk. You can see it from Giratina's features (six legs like in 0:44, vaguely bird-like head with reptilian features, and serpentine/reptilian body).

[@PhoenicopterusR]

That could be coincidental seeing as that thing has 8 legs and no wings, while giratina has 6 legs and 2 wings. It's a pretty on the nose biblical reference too. Who knows though, likely a mix of both.

[@tonymeademusic]

Dr. Z and Dr. B should do all the videos on Storied. They're both fantastic.

[@jessicajayes8326]

Who knew a bit of moldy rye and a chicken with hormonal imbalance could do so much? Ergot poisoning can make you trip balls. I've heard of some chicken accused of witchcraft because a rooster laid an egg. They...didn't really know how to really tell the difference between roosters and hens other than by their feathers and some hens can look like roosters. Hormonal imbalance can happen like that, like with maned lionesses or bearded ladies.

[@R0GU351GN4L]

I think some dude just saw an ostrich and was just like, that, that thing is literally the devil.

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

For once insomnia has presented me with a pleasant experience. I got to see Dr Z's latest video as soon as it was posted. & didn't have to wait till I got up then next morning (5 hours later) to see it. Yay! No if *ONLY* Dr Z could tell me a story about a monster that could help me to fall a sleep without it being deadly for me. 🛌 💤

[@Sara3346]

What about the Baku? would an episode on them: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baku_(mythology) help?

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

@@Sara3346 Nightmares aren't my problem it's making my brain go quiet. For me counting sheep is a bit like: One sheep, two sheep, three sheep, oh look a cow & another one. Oh there's a duck, cluck, cluck, cluck go the chicken's. Old McDonald had a farm...... HAY MACARENA! For me the problem isn't nightmares, it's shuting my brain up long enough. For me to drop off the map into the Land of Zzzzz's. Thank you for the link though, I'd never heard of this critter until now. Ta! 😁

[@Sara3346]

@@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980 Heh, I guess it's my problem too which is why I find myself here at 3 am in the morning. IDK about any mythical beasties with just slumbering abilities in their native myths though sadly. If there were any I'm sure they would have been sought as more valuable than gold by certain people. Like probably us... Dragons Dogma has Sirens which can make people fall asleep but that's not a power they had in the old stories and it's used very maliciously in that game :-(

[@knightofarkronia8652]

Yeah, for some reason, people always get those two mixed up!

[@captainstroon1555]

I guess it's good that the swiss city of Basel chose the basilisk as its heraldic animal and namesake instead of the cockatrice

[@theFLCLguy]

Someone exaggerated fighting a spitting cobra. Most monsters are just exaggerated or misidentified animals. Like the unicorn being described as a big horse with a horn.

[@marianocolsin8968]

"along with you know-patriarchy" You can say this with half the monsters of this series and that is actually very terrifing

[@sonorasgirl]

Seriously, cheers

[@pepesylvia848]

Sometimes I feel like I got a raw deal, and then I remember I was born male. All evens out.

[@alexf8260]

@@pepesylvia848 I don’t think that’s how that works.

[@dallasmeeker5577]

@@alexf8260 i'm like 90% sure he's being sarcastic, but i could be wrong

[@pepesylvia848]

@@alexf8260 how are u gonna tell me how I feel? Sometimes I feel like I'm safe from mansplaining as a man, and then Alex F shows up to bring me back to reality.

[@balrogdahomie]

Would love to see a video on the Catoblepas

[@stevekoller3314]

I'd love to see a Monstrum video on the Incredible Hulk. The concept of the heroic monster always fascinated me

[@serpentinious7745]

What is a king to a god? Quetzalcoatl for the win! 🐍 Great video btw 👍

[@humanity600]

Basilisks and cockatrices are so similar and so different all at once, when I was younger I used to think they were the same.

[@sarcasticeggs8998]

I once read that Basilisk=chicken egg+toad, while Cockatrice=toad egg+chicken

[@eyelovelamp1]

Wow, very snake centric day for me! I got a ball python, I found a wild milksnake, and now this!

[@pepesylvia848]

Nice

[@agustinvenegas5238]

In Chiloé, Southern Chile, the cockatrice is part of the local folklore, supposedly created out of a rooster's egg by a (male) which's magic, but it's called a basilisk, that being my only exposure to the creature I was more than a bit confused when in the Harry Potter movie a huge snake appeared being called the basilisk

[@alexandremaciel8072]

Dr. Zarka's ability to decode a myth and present its historical and social components to a lay audience is even more fascinating them the myth itself...

[@writeitdown2013]

I heard that the Basilisk in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is inspired by Beowulf--or at least the general narrative of fighting a giant monster

[@CLAREROMVoid]

Doc, I once saw that the griffon was the base of all sphinxes... could you make a video on griffons? They are only second to dragons in my heart.

[@lonapopoki1181]

hit liked before ads ended

[@epicdude1944]

Love this series!

[@ianfernandez-rennie7636]

I'm so happy someone finally answered this for me weirdly enough I've always thought about this

[@youremakingprogress144]

I was just thinking about writing a basilisk/cockatrice into a story and wondering about the details today, and this came up on my feed. Thank you for the excellent timing!

[@amrys_argent]

The weasel vs. basilisk thing makes me wonder if it's inspired by mongoose vs. cobra?

[@jonwashburn7999]

First time I heard of this creature was in the 1979 Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual.

[@andrzejmarut8166]

There is an old folktale, very well known in Poland, at least used to be (not sure about the latest generations) about a young man who takes on a cockatrice/basilisk in a basement of an Old Town building in Warsaw. He uses a mirror to deflect the beast's gaze. I believe there is a restaurant/pub in that alleged spot called "Under the Basilisk" (literal translation)

[@Ironmat98]

Storied: Seductive me looking at its name: Makes sense

[@Karin-fj3eu]

Yeah isn't basil an aphrodisiac or something

[@Ironmat98]

@@Karin-fj3eu I don't know, I don't like to call it basilisk though, just the COCKatrice