Monday, May 1, 2017

Herps In Society and Culture: Native American Legends

For a long time Native American Indians been living on this piece of land (United States of America) along side with reptiles and amphibians. Living along side with these species they believed that lizards are link to healing, survival, and with masculinity. This being said, they believe that killing of a lizard will grant that person bad luck. Lizards to the Native American Indians have beliefs of many different type of lizards are used for different type of situations. Some lizards like the horned lizards for for medicines, Gila Monster being seen as a powerful hero in stories and legends, and more other lizards being used for "protection, prosperity, renewal, and good luck" (Native American Indian Lizard Legend And Symbolism for the Myth of Many Tribes). Believing this for such a long time Native American Indians began to produce Legends including The Legend of the Blue Lizard, Blue Jay and Lizard and Grizzle-Bear, Ishi's Tale of Lizard, and Efran of the Sonoran Dessert. All these stories and legends based around their important figure of their belief which are reptiles (lizards).

In today's society, we use of these Native American Indian's legends/sayings in modern medicine. For example, today the Tokay Gecko became popular in the market due to the the use of making it a drug/treatment for HIV infections and the research for AIDs cure (Tokay Gecko For Medicine - Tokayhgeckos.org). Another example is that eating lizards can provide healthy benefits to ones body. Some of the benefits are: Providing energy, improve stamina, Prevent of Asthma attacks, cure epilepsy, better skin, and promote long life by curing diseases and fighting cancer (14 Shocking Health Benefits of Eating Lizards - Dr Heben). Having these Native American Indian legends are important and we all can learn from them even if some seem to be out of this world!

Some Stories and Legends:
Blue Jay and Lizard and Grizzle-Bear
Legend of the Blue Lizard 

Pictures:
Image result for Native American Indian lizard
One of the many symbols used from Native American Indian's and it is a shape of a lizard

Image result for Native American Indian lizard
One of their art pieces based on the Legend of the Blue Lizard
Image result for Native American Indian lizard legends
Another Legend based around Reptiles (lizard)

Works Cited:

MD, Anggi. "14 Shocking Health Benefits of Eating Lizards - Dr Heben". Dr Heben. N.p., 2017. Web. 1 May 2017.

"Native American Indian Lizard Legend And Symbolism for the Myth of Many Tribes".  Native-Languages.org.  N.p., 2017. Web. 31 Apr. 2017. 

"Tokay Gecko For Medicine - Tokayhgeckos.org". tokeygecko.org. N.p., 2017. Web. 1 May 2017. 

Posted by at

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I always love reading articles on the cultural symbolism of herps. It so cool to see the different perspectives tribes and civilizations beyond modern times had against amphibians and reptiles. I remember reading an article about the Kambo frog and the article reminded me of such remarkable capabilities these a small creatures possess. I was also curious to know how settlers even thought of using frogs, geckos, or salamanders as medicinal use. It’s weird, because you would think some sort of trial and error system had to come about. You wouldn’t obviously eat something that’s potent but you’re willing to apply safe amounts to cure any unwanted diseases. Great articles!

May 4, 2017 at 11:16 AM
Herpetology Class said...

Cool mythology! Is there any scientific basis to these claims of medicinal uses of lizards?

May 6, 2017 at 1:11 AM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)