Amphisbaena |
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The Circle of the Dragon > History > Amphisbaena
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The Amphisbaena is a seldom heard of dragon that has two heads. Sometimes, this dragon is seen holding its tail (or, rather, its neck) in its mouth as well. Vaguely heard of, this species appears to have come from old snake legends.
Background and InformationAfrica is probably where this dragon originated from. In Greek, Amphisbaena means "goes both ways." This creature is serpentile and has a long, skinny body with two heads - one at the tail and one at the neck. Sometimes the Amphisbaena is depicted with feathered wings, forelegs, and other limbs. This is decribed in Lucan's work Pharsalia.1 It is said that this creature can roll about either when when it grabs its own neck. And, if the two halfs are severed, they will rejoin as soon as possible. The creature can "go both ways" when rolling, but, obviously, not when walking.2 It is written that if you wear a live amphisnaena, you can aid pregnancy. If you wear one when the creature is dead, it will help rheumatism.3 Some stories claim that when one is trying to lay eggs, one head will aways be awake, ready to ward off enemies.4 Another remedy is that for chilblains, for the skin of an Amphisbaena is said to reduce the swelling of the hands.5 This can also be refered to as the Mother of Ants, as the Amphisbaena feeds upon ants. Other names that the Amphisbaena is refered to by is Amphista and Amphivena.6 Women with power were said to were a bracelet carved in the likeness of an Amphisbaena. This showed their powers and perhaps relates to the medical uses above.7 When Cato's army fell while marching through Libya, their bodies were left. Some believe that the Amphisbaenas fed off of the corpses left behind.8 Their is a snake that is named after this dragon. Why? The snake has markings on the tail that looks like a head. When the snake is attacked or in danger, it lifts its tail to scare away the predator. Some also believe that this snake is actually the basis for the dragon and that the writers who described Amphisbaena simply embellish this snake's qualities.9 The mythological orgin of this species, however, says that they come from the Gorgon Medusa. After Perseus carried her head, dripping with blood, through the Libyan desert, they were said to be made from her blood.10  These are quotes from people of the past who are describing this strange creature. Pliny said, "The amphisbaena has a twin head, that is one at the tail end as well, as though it were not enough for poison to be poured out of one mouth."11 Sir Thomas Browne said, "A smaller kind of serpent, which moveth forward and backward, hath two heads...Which double formations do often happen unto multiparous generations, more especially that of Serpents; whose productions being numerous, and their Eggs in chains or links together (which sometime conjoyn and inoculate into each other) they may unite into various shapes and come out in mixed formations." (Pseudodoxia Epidemica)12 The poet Nicander described it as "slow in motion, two-headed, always dull of eye. From either end protrudes a blunt chin; each is far from each other."13
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