From the brilliance of the phoenix to the brutality of the sphinx and the magic of the unicorn, I hope you enjoy learning just a bit about these wondrous creatures. Allow your imagination to go wild and give you a story that includes one or more of these extraordinary mythological animals.
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The phoenix is a mythological symbol of fire and divinity. This colorful firebird, with its brilliant gold and red plumage, had a life span of approximately 500 to 1,000 years. Near the end of its long life, the phoenix was said to build a nest of cinnamon twigs, then ignite the nest and allow itself to burn to death while the nest was reduced to ashes. A new, young phoenix was thought to arise from the ashes. This bird was the symbol of fire and divinity because it was supposed to be able to regenerate itself if hurt or wounded by an enemy. In early Christian literature and art, the phoenix was seen as a symbol of Christ. Two or more of these fiery birds are known as a conservatory of phoenices.
Sasquatch is another name for Bigfoot, an apelike-creature that is said to inhabit the forests of the Pacific Northwest in North America. 'Sasquatch' is a form of the Native American word 'salish', which means 'wild man'. Sighting of this legendary creature have been coming in for years, but its existence has never been proven. Two or more of these giant, human-like creatures are known as a yearning of sasquatches.
Both ancient Greek and Egyptian mythology bring us the sphinx, an animal with the body of a lion , the wings of a bird, and the face of a human, usually a female. The sphinx was said to have guarded the entrance to the city of Thebes, Greece. Only those who correctly answered her riddle would be allowed to pass. This treacherous and merciless beast would kill and feast on those who failed to correctly answer her riddle. I think that one of these beasts would be more than enough, but two or more of them would be called a finery of sphinxes.
The beautiful unicorn has always been my favorite mythological creature. The single horn protruding from the head of this creature, as well as its blood, was said to have magical properties. Its horn , the bane of evil, was said to rid water it came into contact with of any bad thing. It could also kill evil creatures that it came into contact with. For this reason, kings wanted their cups made from the horn of a unicorn. According to legend, they were hunted to extinction once the magical powers of their horns became known. Two or more of these magical creatures would be known as a fondle of unicorns.
According to modern legend, werewolves are imaginary creatures who are human by day, but turn into wolves on nights there is a full moon. Many different legends abound about these terrifying creatures who love to feast on the flesh of babies and corpses. A dominant figure in modern horror fiction, they are endowed with heightened senses and great strength. A bite from one of these shape-shifters would be unfortunate, for it would cause the recipient to turn into a werewolf during the next full moon, a time when many people are said to go crazy. During the Middle Ages in Europe, those who were mentally ill were often brought to court and accused of being werewolves. Maybe that is why two or more of these horrendous creatures are known as a lunacy of werewolves.
Remember Little Red Riding Hood? Not just any old wolf could talk to a little girl, then change into her grandmother's clothing. This wolf had to have some brains. Ancient myths talk about witches who took on the form of an animal, such as a wolf, to travel around unnoticed. In opposition to modern legend, a 'real' werewolf could change shape voluntarily, not just when there was a full moon. The person also changed form completely and fully became a wolf, not just a hairy wolf-human.
A wyvern is a variation of the dragon. Rather than being found in legend, it is found in heraldry. What is heraldry? It is the practice of designing, describing, displaying, and recording heraldic badges and coats of arms. Wyverns can be found in many different places – on many medieval buildings as carved ornaments, around the title pages of many early printed books, and on some of the early maps. This was a most unusual looking creature. It had the head of a dragon, two clawed feet like an eagle, and a long serpent's tail. They were feared because of their violent temper. Two or more of these mythical creatures that probably came from the imagination of a creative herald are called a poachment of wyverns.
The yeti, or abominable snowman, is the Himalayan's version of Bigfoot. Despite many reported sightings, there is no real proof that this creature actually exists. It is thought that the reported sightings could actually be sightings of another animal that lives in the Himalayans, such as the chu-teh, the Tibetan blue bear, the Himalayan brown bear, or the Himalayan red bear. Whether it really exists or is strictly in the imagination of some terrified individuals, two or more of these creatures are known as a flurry of yeti.
