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The lindworm, also known by the spellings lindwyrm or lindwurm, is a mythological entity from Northern and Central European folklore that dwells deep within the forest and typically resembles a gigantic serpent monster. It could be compared to a dragon.
Legend has it that everything beneath the lindworm will grow as it matures, giving birth to stories of dragons ruminating over riches to increase their wealth. According to legend, there are two types of lindworms: a good one that brings good fortune and is frequently a cursed prince who has been changed into another beast, and a bad one that is a terrible man-eater that will attack humans at first sight.
A lindworm may consume its own tail and transform into a rolling wheel in order to chase after humans who are running away.
The sixteenth-century Lindworm monument at Lindwurm Fountain in Klagenfurt, Austria, was inspired by a woolly rhinoceros skull discovered in an adjacent quarry in 1335. The earliest recreation of an extinct animal has been attributed to it.
In Swedish folklore, lindworms are typically depicted as enormous, limbless forest serpents that dwell among the rocks deep within the forest. They are described as having a brighter bottom and a dark tint on top. It has dorsal fins that resemble fish or the mane of a horse along its spine, earning it the nickname — Mane Snake — at times.
Lindworm eggs are placed beneath the bark of Tilia cordata trees, and after hatching, the larvae slither off and settle in a rock pile. They have the potential to grow very long when completely mature.
In order to combat this, when hunting, they swallow their own tail, transforming it into a wheel, and then roll at incredibly high speeds to chase its prey. Because of this, they have earned the moniker — Wheel Snake.
Image Credit:
Swedish lindworm drawn by Swedish illustrator John Bauer, 1911. The Swedish lindworm lacks wings and limbs.
[The Work (Image) is a faithful photographic reproduction of a two-dimensional, public domain work of art.]
Disclaimer:
This story is a retelling based on folklore and public domain sources. Images used are for illustrative purposes only and sourced from public domain or royalty-free platforms.
