Manticore
- Origin: The Manticore is a creature originating in Persian mythology, known as the Martyaxwar (man-eater). The name was taken from early Middle Persian and mistranscribed / adapted into a Greek and then English pronunciation (mantichora and manticore respectively). Due to the behaviour and locality in which Manticores originated, some believe that they were actually borne from over-exaggerated tales of tigers, of which the local people of the time were terrified.
- Descrption: Manticores have the body of lion, face of a man, and a voice that sounds similar to a trumpet. They also have the tail of a scorpian or dragon, which they use to shoot spines, like arrows, long range, and can also throw the spines, like javelins, at close range. As if that wasn't deadly enough, Manticores also have three rows of shark-like teeth in their mouths. Sometimes Manticores have the body of a dragon, in addition to wings and / or horns as well.
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| An illustration of Geryon the Manticore, by Gustave Doré, from The Divine Comedy. |
- Behaviour: Manticores hide in long grass, showing only their human faces to those who approach. They then take those who come too close by surprise and devour them whole. They leave nothing of the person they have eaten, not even clothing and possessions; it is as though their prey has simply disappeared.
I now have the image of a mad banker called Marty Wax eating his customers . . . . . I don't think that was meant to happen?
ReplyDeleteJust stopping by from the A-Z Challenge list to say "Hi" :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting post honey.
Good luck with the rest of the challenge!
xx
I'm assuming something like this is what's used when they invent monsters for movies. A shape-changing creature ... sure looks frightening in that illustration.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post.
Silvia @ Silvia Writes