![]() More modern depictions of dragons often draw inspiration from these tales, portraying brutal and jealous defenders of their hoarded treasure. Indeed, the idea of the serpentine monster appears throughout various world mythologies: The afore-mentioned Tiamat, the Judeo-Christian Leviathan, the Hydra of Greek myth, and the Norse Jormungandr, the latter of which had a clear influence on the epic Old English poem Beowulf, where we can see the word “dracan.” And once we reach the 10th and 11th centuries, the Persian Book of Kings recounts the feats of mighty heroes such as Rustum, who frequently found himself pitted against the mighty beasts. Something more recognizable to us can be found in the Iranian Zoroastrian tradition, which talks of the serpentine “azi,” described as poisonous beings that swallowed both horses and men. Similarly, the Mesopotamian god Marduk battled the dragon Tiamat for control of humanity. 1500 BC), which recounts the release of heavenly waters to the earth following the death of the great dragon Vrtra by the god Indra. Some of the earliest dragon myths date back to sources such as the Indian Rig Veda (c. Mentioned in the writings of famous occultists Eliphas Levi and Jean-Baptise Pitois, it was later seen as a key ingredient in flying ointments used by medieval witches to attend gatherings or meet with the Devil himself. To ensure the mandrake’s scream doesn’t kill when dug up, Josephus describes digging a furrow to expose part of the root before being tied to a dog that will then excavate the root and also perish in its master’s place. AD 37-100) describe the mandrake in a much more recognizable fashion for the fans of J.K. While in Genesis, the plant is reputed to have cured Racheal’s infertility (Genesis 30:14-17), the later writings of Josephus of Jerusalem (c. The combination of these factors makes it unsurprising that a wealth of legends have surrounded this particular plant that predates the Bible. ![]() In reality, the Mandragora officinarum is not only interesting for the shape of its roots, which frequently resemble human figures, but also for its hallucinogenic and hypnotic effects. While the screams of the mandrake can, in some cases, be fatal, those of the younger plants only result in causing unconsciousness. ![]() Other animals such as cats, frogs, and rats do not necessarily have magical abilities.The famous mandrake root, introduced in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a plant that not only screams when it is being repotted but is also a “powerful restorative” used to treat those who have been cursed, transfigured, or petrified. ![]() Owls, for example, deliver mail and have the ability to find the recipient regardless of their location. Some creatures in the series are ordinary animals that may be imbued with magical properties or possess certain magical abilities. I might not use it, but to make it as consistent as I feel is good for my plot." "When I do use a creature that I know is a mythological entity, I like to find out as much as I can about it. know that I didn't invent unicorns, but I've had to explain frequently that I didn't actually invent hippogriffs," Rowling told Stephen Fry in an interview for BBC Radio 4. Many of the legends surrounding these mythical creatures are also incorporated in the books. Many of these creatures are derived primarily from Greek mythology and other folklore, namely British and Scandinavian folklore. ![]() Rowling has also written Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a guide to the magical beasts found in the series, and based on the fictional textbook of the same name written by Newt Scamander and used by students at Hogwarts. In addition, students learn to take care of creatures such as Hippogriffs and Unicorns in the Care of Magical Creatures class at Hogwarts. Throughout the seven main books of the series, Harry and his friends encounter many of these creatures on their adventures in Hogwarts, the Forbidden Forest, or other locations throughout the Wizarding World. Magical creatures are an aspect of the fictional wizarding world contained in the Harry Potter series and connected media, all created by British author J. ![]()
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