The Bakunawa is essentially a sea-serpent. It resides in the oceans surrounding the Philippines, and also some other islands in the region. Legends say that it tries to eat the moon regularly, which is why we have eclipses. One version says that there were seven moons, but the Bakunawa was stunned by their luminescence, and tried to swallow them. To scare off the Bakunawa, locals crash pans and pots, as well as singing. This version also claims that the Bakunawa ate men, on certain occasions.
A second legend claims that the Bakunawa had a sister; the sea turtle. The turtle would lay eggs on an island and then swim back to sea. However, each time she came to shore the sea followed her, and the island got smaller and smaller. The locals killed the turtle, and the Bakunawa was furious. It tried to eat the moon, but the locals crashed pots and pans to scare it off. the moon was regurgitated, and the Bakunawa fled.
The third version is that the Bakunawa fell in love with a mortal girl. The tribe chieftain was furious about their affair, and destroyed their house. When the Bakunawa found out it tried to eat all twelve moons, but before it could eat the last one the god Bathala banished it to the sea. An eclipse occurs when the Bakunawa tries to return home.
The Bakunawa supposedly has a mouth the size of a lake. It also has a giant red tongue, whiskers, gills, wires at the side, two sets of wings. One pair is grey in colour, and very large, whilst the other pair is small and found at the lower end of its body.
For more information visit:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Dragon
- http://aldsh.deviantart.com/art/Bakunawa-Moon-Eater-316511386
- http://jrldorado.deviantart.com/art/Bakunawa-The-Filipino-Dragon-298473522
No comments:
Post a Comment