Mythological beasts inspired by now known animals?

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 07-11-2008
Moontanman's Avatar
Astounding Vision
2 Many Bugs Champion!
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: South Eastern North Carolina, Cape Fear Region
Posts: 2,772
Blog Entries: 3
Moontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to Moontanman
Mythological beasts inspired by now known animals?

The belief In some if not many mythological beasts can be traced to animals now known to be real.

The mythological cyclops was inspired by skulls of elephants.
__________________
Michael

Nuclear is the only real option!
http://www.nuclearspace.com/Liberty_ship_menupg.aspx

Who died and left you in charge? Captain Bipto!

The early bird might get the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese!

Life is the poetry of the universe.
Love is the poetry of life.

Over heard from a three year old, "Daddy why do my toes get sticky when I eat strawberry jam?"

Never wrestle a troll. You both get dirty and the troll likes it

Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 07-11-2008
DougF's Avatar
Hypo Contributer
Silver Subscription
Sponsor

Join Date: May 2007
Location: Dark Side of the Moon
Posts: 1,092
DougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant future
Lightbulb Re: Mythological beasts inspired by now known animals?

Quote:
Moontanman
The mythological cyclops was inspired by skulls of elephants.
Really I never heard that one before,
How about the giant squid being the sea monsters of old
or
the manatee being what sailors thought were mermaids.
__________________
There are many things to be shared with the Four Colors of humanity in our common destiny as one with our Mother the Earth. It is this sharing that must be considered with great care by the Elders and the medicine people who carry the Sacred Trusts, so that no harm may come to people through ignorance and misuse of these powerful forces.

Resolution of the Fifth Annual Meetings of the Traditional Elders Circle, 1980
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 07-11-2008
Moontanman's Avatar
Astounding Vision
2 Many Bugs Champion!
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: South Eastern North Carolina, Cape Fear Region
Posts: 2,772
Blog Entries: 3
Moontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to Moontanman
Re: Mythological beasts inspired by now known animals?

Quote:
Originally Posted by DougF View Post
Really I never heard that one before,
How about the giant squid being the sea monsters of old
or
the manatee being what sailors thought were mermaids.
The manatee is thought to have been at least part of the basis for the mermaid myth but how sea sick and horny would those sailors have had to have been to mistake a manatee for a beautiful maiden that was half fish?!!! The giant squid was it's own mythical monster or just one of many other sea monsters. I think it was the ancient Greeks who thought that elephant skulls were proof of the cyclops existence. the huge hole in the middle of the skull there the elephants trunk was attached was thought to heve be where the eye was located. In myth cyclops were often portrayed as having huge tusks in their jaws as well.
__________________
Michael

Nuclear is the only real option!
http://www.nuclearspace.com/Liberty_ship_menupg.aspx

Who died and left you in charge? Captain Bipto!

The early bird might get the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese!

Life is the poetry of the universe.
Love is the poetry of life.

Over heard from a three year old, "Daddy why do my toes get sticky when I eat strawberry jam?"

Never wrestle a troll. You both get dirty and the troll likes it

Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 07-11-2008
DougF's Avatar
Hypo Contributer
Silver Subscription
Sponsor

Join Date: May 2007
Location: Dark Side of the Moon
Posts: 1,092
DougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant future
Lightbulb Re: Mythological beasts inspired by now known animals?

you were right. (not that I doubted you or anything)

Quote:
SKULL FACT
In the 14th century, Giovanni Boccaccio claimed he had discovered a mighty Cyclops skull inside a Sicilian cave. This one-eyed monster may have been nothing more than a docile elephant. The hole that resembles a central eye in the elephant’s skull is actually its nasal cavity – it is surrounded by plentiful muscle attachment space for the animal’s massive trunk.
California Academy of Sciences - Skulls
__________________
There are many things to be shared with the Four Colors of humanity in our common destiny as one with our Mother the Earth. It is this sharing that must be considered with great care by the Elders and the medicine people who carry the Sacred Trusts, so that no harm may come to people through ignorance and misuse of these powerful forces.

Resolution of the Fifth Annual Meetings of the Traditional Elders Circle, 1980
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 07-11-2008
DougF's Avatar
Hypo Contributer
Silver Subscription
Sponsor

Join Date: May 2007
Location: Dark Side of the Moon
Posts: 1,092
DougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant futureDougF has a brilliant future
Lightbulb Re: Mythological beasts inspired by now known animals?

Quote:
Moontanman
but how sea sick and horny would those sailors have had to have been to mistake a manatee for a beautiful maiden that was half fish?!!!
I could never figure out how they got that, I mean have you ever see a manatee they ain't no beautiful maiden thats for sure.


Manatee - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
__________________
There are many things to be shared with the Four Colors of humanity in our common destiny as one with our Mother the Earth. It is this sharing that must be considered with great care by the Elders and the medicine people who carry the Sacred Trusts, so that no harm may come to people through ignorance and misuse of these powerful forces.

Resolution of the Fifth Annual Meetings of the Traditional Elders Circle, 1980
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 07-11-2008
Moontanman's Avatar
Astounding Vision
2 Many Bugs Champion!
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: South Eastern North Carolina, Cape Fear Region
Posts: 2,772
Blog Entries: 3
Moontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to Moontanman
Re: Mythological beasts inspired by now known animals?

In the middle ages dragons were thought to be real and often things were blamed on dragons but we of course know there were no dragons but a well documented account of a dragon that killed livestock and a couple of people (I think, It's been a long time since i saw this show on the discovery channel) have been traced to a possible Nile crocodile that was brought to the English monarchy as a gift from some Mediterranean potentate for the royal zoo. It escaped and raised hell along a river where it took up residence until winter killed it. this "Dragon" resulted in many years of dragon reports even though the crocodile probably died after one winter.
__________________
Michael

Nuclear is the only real option!
http://www.nuclearspace.com/Liberty_ship_menupg.aspx

Who died and left you in charge? Captain Bipto!

The early bird might get the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese!

Life is the poetry of the universe.
Love is the poetry of life.

Over heard from a three year old, "Daddy why do my toes get sticky when I eat strawberry jam?"

Never wrestle a troll. You both get dirty and the troll likes it

Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 07-11-2008
Janus's Avatar
Understanding

Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 300
Janus is a splendid one to beholdJanus is a splendid one to beholdJanus is a splendid one to beholdJanus is a splendid one to beholdJanus is a splendid one to beholdJanus is a splendid one to beholdJanus is a splendid one to beholdJanus is a splendid one to behold
Re: Mythological beasts inspired by now known animals?

I've heard that the Roc was inspired by the ostrich. When travelers saw such a large flightless bird that resembled a chick, they could only wonder what the adult would be like.
__________________
"Men are apt to mistake the strength of their feelings for the strength of their argument.
The heated mind resents the chill touch & relentless scruntiny of logic"
-W.E. Gladstone
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 07-11-2008
Moontanman's Avatar
Astounding Vision
2 Many Bugs Champion!
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: South Eastern North Carolina, Cape Fear Region
Posts: 2,772
Blog Entries: 3
Moontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond reputeMoontanman has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to Moontanman
Re: Mythological beasts inspired by now known animals?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Janus View Post
I've heard that the Roc was inspired by the ostrich. When travelers saw such a large flightless bird that resembled a chick, they could only wonder what the adult would be like.
I've not heard that one but I did read about the elephant bird of Madagascar being part of the inspiration for the Roc. Bones and eggs were thought to be those of the Roc.
__________________
Michael

Nuclear is the only real option!
http://www.nuclearspace.com/Liberty_ship_menupg.aspx

Who died and left you in charge? Captain Bipto!

The early bird might get the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese!

Life is the poetry of the universe.
Love is the poetry of life.

Over heard from a three year old, "Daddy why do my toes get sticky when I eat strawberry jam?"

Never wrestle a troll. You both get dirty and the troll likes it

Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 08-05-2008
Donk's Avatar
Thinking

Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 71
Donk is a splendid one to beholdDonk is a splendid one to beholdDonk is a splendid one to beholdDonk is a splendid one to beholdDonk is a splendid one to beholdDonk is a splendid one to beholdDonk is a splendid one to beholdDonk is a splendid one to behold
Re: Mythological beasts inspired by now known animals?

The centaur legend is thought to come from the first reaction of a non-riding culture to nomads who were mounted on horses.

Wiki: Centaur
Reply With Quote
  #10 (permalink)  
Old 08-05-2008
HydrogenBond's Avatar
Creating

Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,941
HydrogenBond is a name known to allHydrogenBond is a name known to allHydrogenBond is a name known to allHydrogenBond is a name known to allHydrogenBond is a name known to allHydrogenBond is a name known to allHydrogenBond is a name known to all
Re: Mythological beasts inspired by now known animals?

Seeing a manatee as a mermaid is due to a projection affect the brain can generate. As an analogy, picture a movie projector, projecting through the forehead onto an object. What appears to enter the brain is sensory data fro, reality plus the movie overlay. This overlay is in the imagination at the same time sensory data is entering the eyes. The composite that enters awareness looks like a mermaid.

Here is a simple home experiment to simulate this affect. Go to a scary horror movie and then have a friend drop you off in the woods at night, alone. Then they drive off and leave you. What will often happen is the imagination will begin to act up. The shadow near the tree becomes a bear. The rustling in the bushes is now the ax murderer. The body may start to feel anxiety, as though this image is real. Sensory data says nothing of the sort. The movie overlay may get you to run. In the case of the mermaid, instead of a horror movie, the men were reacting to long days at sea without women. The imagination began to create a movie overlay. They were seeing a composite. The captain might have to dope slap them to wake them up and shut off the imagination.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
MIT creates gecko-inspired bandage C1ay Technology News 0 02-21-2008
Sampling animals orbsycli Music studies 3 10-20-2007
Which Bible Is The "inspired Word Of God?" charles brough Theology forum 20 06-25-2007
is genius inspired by God nigelgeorge Theology forum 19 07-28-2006
Animals... Boerseun Watercooler 5 01-31-2006

» Current Poll
Do you read popular science books?
Yes, a few each year - 60.00%
6 Votes
Yes, but very rarely - 10.00%
1 Vote
Yes, most of the time - 20.00%
2 Votes
No - 10.00%
1 Vote
Total Votes: 10
You may not vote on this poll.

All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:50 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
SEO by vBSEO 3.2.0 ©2008, Crawlability, Inc.
Copyright © 2000-2008 Hypography
Part of the Hypography - Science for Everyone Network