Cockatrice: Mythological Creature
English legends describe the Cockatrice as being born from a chicken and incubated by a frog. However, in some mythology the toad is substituted for a snake. Many English folklore look at the cockatrice as a more developed form of a Basilisk
Mythology tells of a cockatrice causing death with a single glance. They turn their prey into stone, as well as having poisonous saliva that is toxic to the touch. Animals that are immune to their gaze are weasels. If engaged in a fight, the weasel comes out the victor. For humans, if they come into contact with a cockatrice, one only needs a mirror to reflect their gaze back. Another form of killing a cockatrice, is the shrill noise of a cockerel.
Other descriptions of a cockatrice |
The sound of a cockerel |