The document summarizes 10 mythological animals: the phoenix symbolizes eternal life in various mythologies; the centaur is part man and part horse, stuck between worlds; mermaids were reported by sailors as beautiful but sometimes murderous creatures; Leviathan is a sea monster described as a giant fish or serpent; dragons have inspired warriors for thousands of years; Pegasus is the winged son of Poseidon and Medusa; Sirens lured sailors with music to shipwreck; Hydra was a multi-headed serpent with poisonous blood; the Sphinx had the body of a lion and the head of a human and would devour those who could not answer its riddle;
4. ° No creature symbolizes eternal life more than the phoenix, a mythical bird known as much for its beauty as its immortality. The legend of the phoenix appears in a variety of ancient mythologies, including Greek, Egyptian and Indian.
8. Originating in the mythical tales of ancient Greece, the legend of the centaur has long fascinated mankind. Being part man and part horse, the centaur is stuck between two worlds. ª
12. Since ancient times, sailors crossing the world's oceans have reported seeing mermaids, beautiful fish-maidens with long flowing hair and incredible powers of seduction. The first mermaid stories date back at least 3,000 years, and reports were still common up until the discovery of the New World by Europeans.
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14. Still others describe these fin-tailed beauties as murderous beasts that seduce men with beautiful songs and then kill then mercilessly for the sheer joy of it. ª
18. in our countdown is the biblical monster Leviathan, a giant sea creature with glowing eyes and a nasty habit of crushing ships and devouring ocean-going humans. With its enormous body and scaly skin, Leviathan is usually referred to as a giant monstrous fish, but is also commonly described as a serpent, crocodile or marine mammal. °
21. ° Dragon mythology extends back through the ages at least 4,000 years. They've also inspired many a young warrior to take up arms, bravely trying to prevent a malevolent dragon from consuming a fair maiden.
26. This mythical animal is the son of Poseidon, god of the sea, and the monster Medusa. The image of Pegasus has been a favorite of artist for centuries; his likeness has inspired countless paintings and sculpture. °
27. Pegasus is a winged horse-like beast. Mostly talked of in Greek and Roman Mythology. THey come in all sorts of colors, however the primary color they are pictured as is white. There have been many varitations of Pegasus drawings. Some show pegasus with a horn like a Unicorn.
32. ° In Greek mythology, the Sirens were three dangerous bird-women, portrayed as seductresses who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island.
35. Hydra is the multi-headed serpent beast with poisonous blood and breath so bad it could kill a man. He was known as the "Hydra of Lerna" because he lived in the marshlands of the Lernaean region of Greece. °
38. ° °in our countdown has the body of a lion and the head of a human, sometimes male, sometimes female. According to legend, anyone who was unable to solve the riddle of the sphinx was not only forbidden to pass – they were immediately devoured.
42. ª ª enchanted young and old acrunicorns are magnificent and noble creatures that have oss the globe and through the ages. Unicorns are often associated with rainbows and fair maidens. ª
43. ª Unicorn lore dates back several thousand years, and occasional "sightings" are still being reported today.
