Basilisk

The Basilisk originated in Greek mythology, supposedly being found in the Greek colony of Cyrene, Libya. It was later adopted by the Romans, Pliny even mentioned it in his "Natural History". It became very well known and popular during the Middle Ages, and was adopted by Christians. Christians used it as the serpent that tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, although that is now largely unknown, with modern day Christians believing it was only an ordinary snake. It is described as being the King of all Serpents.
The Basilisk is the result of a snake's or toad's egg being incubated by a cockerel. The Cockatrice, its cousin, however, is a chicken's egg incubated by a serpent or toad. In antiquity the Basilisk was a small serpent, "being not much more than twelve fingers in length". However, during Medieval Europe it began to take features of the cockerel as its own.
In antiquity it is said to be like a snake in appearance, with a white spot in the middle of its forehead. In the Middle Ages however, the appearance changed drastically. It was depicted with bird wings and two legs of a chicken. Some images also show it as having the head of a cockerel with a crest.
The Basilisk is said to kill all those that looked upon it. Its eyes had the ability to turn people to stone, and its very breath was venomous. The stench caused all living things to die. The bite is also said to be lethal. It has large curved fangs that contain a deadly venom. This venom needs only mere seconds to go through the body of the victim before the unfortunate creature dies. When there are no animals it turns upon plants, which wither and die before it. The only plant able to resist the terrible odour is the Rue plant, a shrub.
Fortunately there are several ways to defeat this beast. It is said that if it hears the crow of a cockerel it will fall to the ground in agony and die. Its reflection is also enough to kill it, as no creature is immune to the terrible stare, not even the Basilisk. That is, apart from the weasel. The weasel is the only creature that may see the monster and slay it, as even the cockerel will die when it is near the Basilisk. The stench of the urine of the weasel is enough to intoxicate the Basilisk, striking it dead. Unfortunately, the weasel will also die.
Today it is believed the Basilisk is a creature of imagination, possibly a result of tales of the Far East and exotic serpents such as the King Cobra. But if it kills you when you are near it, how will you know? Could it be real? Make up your own mind...
For more information, visit:

• http://www.gods-and-monsters.com/basilisk-mythology.html
• http://mythicalarchive.com/Creature_Page.php?Name=Basilisk
• http://myth.web-indexes.com/myths/Basilisk.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilisk
• http://www.bestiary.ca/beasts/beast265.htm