Amphisbaena (mythical creature)

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Amphisbaena (Harley Bestiary MS 3244, 13th century, British Library )
Depiction of an amphisbaene on a medieval relief ( Rock of Cashel Museum , Ireland )

The Amphisbaena or Amphisbaene (also: Amphisbaina , Amphisboena , Fenmine ) is a mythical creature from Greek mythology . It is portrayed as a two-headed, mostly winged snake or a dragon ; the two heads are at opposite ends of the body. The name is composed of the Greek amphi ("both") and bainein ("to go"); the amphisbaene is able to move in both directions thanks to its two heads.

In heraldry , the amphisbaene is a rarely used heraldic animal ( common figure ); she is represented as a snake, a dragon or even a horse-like being .

Ancient accounts say that a dead amphisus wrapped around the body is the best cure for a cold; if a woodcutter nailed the carcass to a tree, he could cut it down with ease.

The Amphisbaena is very similar to the Ouroboros , a mythical creature in the shape of a snake that bites its own tail.

See also

Web links

Commons : Amphisbaen in Art  - Collection of Images, Videos and Audio Files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Milan boys: Heraldry. Albatros, Prague, 1987