Mythical Monday: Defining the Basilisk by Mae Clair

Anyone who’s read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets or seen the movie is a familiar with a basilisk. But the creature depicted in J.K. Rowling’s universe is different than many of the original legends. In some early retellings the basilisk is a small snake that oozes a noxious trail of venom in its wake. In others it resembles a cockerel, and others still, a fire breathing serpent.

So which is it?

Although legends differ in the appearance of the basilisk, all agree the creature is deadly....