Reptilian humanoid
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Reptilian humanoids,oranthropomorphicreptiles,are fictional creatures that appear in folklore, fiction, and conspiracy theories.
In folklore
InSouth AsianandSoutheast Asianmythology, theNāgaare semi-divine creatures which are half-human and half-snakes.[1]
Claims of sightings of reptilian creatures occur inSouthern United States,whereswampsare common. In the late 1980s, there were hundreds of supposed sightings of a "Lizard Man"inBishopville, South Carolina.[2]
In fiction
Anthropomorphic reptilian races or beings commonly appear infantasyandscience fiction.They can be based on various reptiles, likelizards,crocodiles,alligators,snakes,dinosaurs,and the fictionaldragons.They are often depicted as powerful warriors, though their relative intelligence to humans varies – as with other anthropomorphic races, a greater resemblance to humans often denotes more "civilized" behavior. Some anthropomorphic reptilians such as lizards and snakes are often associated with jungles, swamps, and other tropical biomes, and as such are seen with cultural elements of similar regions, includingMesoamericancultures.
Fantasy
TheSerpent Men,reptilian humanoids who can project illusions of human form, appeared as villains throughoutRobert E. Howard'sKing Kullstories starting in 1929 as well as in the linkedCthulhu Mythos.Edgar Rice Burroughs'Pellucidarseries featured primitive dinosaur-descended humanoids living in theHollow Earthcalled theHoribsor snake-men in his 1929–1930 crossoverTarzan at the Earth's Core.These almost simultaneous inventions originated the modern reptilian humanoid trope.[3][4][5][6]In the 1980s, the animated television seriesDino-Ridersfeature a race called theRulons,of which some individuals were reptilian humanoids, that served as the main antagonist to the protagonist Valorians upon which the series is based. Merchandise based on the series included several series of toys, among which they included replicas of the reptilian Rulons.[7]
Games
Examples of reptilian races in fantasy games are the Lizardmen fromWarhammeras well as Lizardfolk, Dragonborn andKoboldsof theDungeons & Dragonstabletop role-playing game.
The Dragonborn in particular – based on the Draconians ofDragonlance,which in that game were uniformly evil – were originally introduced in theDungeons & Dragons3.5 supplement bookRaces of the Dragon,published byWizards of the Coastin 2006.[8][9]In 4th Edition, dragonborn are available as one of the core player character races in thePlayer's Handbook.[10][11]
The dragonborn were introduced to the core rules in an attempt to reflect contemporary trends in fantasy fiction and appeal to newer players.[12][13]In addition, it reflected a perception among the game's designers that it should be possible to play dragon-like creatures in a game with "Dragons" in the title.[12][14]Richard Baker,who helped design 4th Edition, noted that the introduction of dragonborn to the core rules allowed them to "grow the D&D world by allowing the mix of characters to evolve in the new edition."[14]Jonathan Bolding ofThe Escapistnoted that the inclusion of the dragonborn in the 5th editionPlayer's Handbookdoes "push the 'traditionalD&D'mold a bit, but this is a greatest hits ofD&Dplayer races and powers from the last fifteen years of the game. "[15]
Anthropomorphic reptilians are also shown in video games, especially in fantasy games. The lizardlikeArgonianrace takes a prominent role in the fantasy video game franchiseThe Elder Scrolls.Other examples of reptilian humanoids in fantasy games include the Man-Serpents from the gameElden Ringand the Naga fromWorld of Warcraft.
Science fiction
In works ofscience fiction,aliensare often depicted as closely resemblinganimals,with reptilian aliens being no exception. An early appearance was in the story "The Lizard-Men of Buh-Lo"(1930) byFrancis Flagg.[16]Other examples include theGornfromStar Trekand theDracsfrom the filmEnemy Mine(1985).[16]
The television franchiseVfeatures theVisitors,a lizardlike alien race whodisguisethemselves as humans.[16]
TheCardassianrace featured in multipleStar Trekseries, is another example of reptilian humanoids in that particular science fiction universe.[17]The "Tosk" people, featured onStar Trek: Deep Space Nine,is another.[18]The "Distant Origin"episode ofStar Trek: Voyagerthen features the Voth, a race descended from thedinosaursthat had escaped extinction by leaving Earth and relocating to theDelta Quadrant.[19]
On the television seriesDoctor Who,there are also races of reptilian humanoids, such as theSilurians[20]andIce Warriors.
Conspiracy theory
Thereptilian conspiracy theoryalleges that shape-shifting reptilian aliens control Earth.[21]It is widely regarded as anti-semitic.[22][23][24][25]
See also
References
- ^"Naga | Hindu mythology".Encyclopedia Britannica.Retrieved2019-09-11.
- ^Milligan, Stephen (1988-08-07) "Sightings of a monster lizard from the swamp has struck terror into a small community in South Carolina", The Sunday Times.
- ^Trompf, Garry W.; Bernauer, Lauren (2012)."Producing Lost Civilisations: Theosophical Concepts in Literature, Visual Media and Popular Culture".In Cusack, Carole; Norman, Alex (eds.).Handbook of New Religions and Cultural Production.Leiden: Brill. pp. 113–114.ISBN978-9004221871.Archivedfrom the original on 30 March 2019.Retrieved3 September2014.
- ^Debus, Allen A. (7 June 2016).Dinosaurs ever evolving: the changing face of prehistoric animals in popular culture.ISBN9780786499519.
- ^"Top Ten Favorite Edgar Rice Burroughs Monsters".Dark Worlds Quarterly. 3 October 2020.
- ^Barkun, Michael(2003).A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic Visions in Contemporary America.Berkeley and Los Angeles:University of California Press.p.121.ISBN0520238052.Archivedfrom the original on 23 August 2019.Retrieved3 September2014.
the shadow kingdom.
- ^"Activate the Nostalgia Center: Remembering DinoRiders".Wired magazine. January 29, 2009.
- ^"Races of the Dragon Excerpt".Archived fromthe originalon February 7, 2006.
- ^Kestrel, Gwendolyn F.M.; Wilkes, Jennifer Clarke; Liquette, Kolja Raven (2006).Races of the Dragon.Wizards of the Coast.
- ^"20 Things About Dungeons & Dragons That Make No Sense".ScreenRant.June 2, 2018.
- ^Heinsoo, Rob;Collins, Andy;Wyatt, James(2008).Player's Handbook.Wizards of the Coast.
- ^abTresca, Michael J. (2010).The Evolution of Fantasy Role-Playing Games.McFarland. p. 81.
- ^"D&D Player's Handbook: Then and Now".Wired.wired.com. 2008-07-30.Retrieved2015-07-16.
- ^ab"Player's Handbook Races: Dragonborn (4e)".rpgnow.com. 2015-03-31.Retrieved2015-07-21.
- ^"D&D Player's Handbook Review - A Greatest Hits Collection | Reviews | The Escapist".Escapistmagazine.com.
- ^abcThe Greenwood encyclopedia of science fiction and fantasy: themes, works, and wonders.Westfahl, Gary. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press. 2005. pp. 15, 78, 319.ISBN0313329508.OCLC60401685.
{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: others (link) - ^NICHOLAS CONLEY (July 15, 2016)."Star Trek: 15 Alien Races You Need To Know About - Not all of them have bumpy foreheads. From the Ferengi to the Gorn, find out which Star Trek aliens stand out from the crowd".Screen Rant.
- ^Keith R.A. DeCandido (May 10, 2013)."Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Rewatch:" Captive Pursuit "".TOR.com.
- ^Keith R.A. DeCandido (September 10, 2020)."Star Trek: Voyager Rewatch:" Distant Origin "".TOR.com.
- ^Sean O'Grady (January 4, 2021)."Having vanquished the idiots who mocked her arrival, it would be a shame if Jodie Whittaker left Doctor Who".The Independent.
- ^"Conspiracy Theories".Time.2008-11-20.ISSN0040-781X.Retrieved2019-09-11.
- ^Dickey, Colin (2023-07-20)."Hunting for the Lizard People: On the Dangerous Conspiracy Theories That Led to the Nashville Bombing".Literary Hub.Retrieved2024-04-09.
- ^"Former Labour MP, anti-Israel activist Walker gets support from David Icke".The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com.2019-04-15.Retrieved2024-04-09.
- ^Karp, Paul (2019-02-20)."Conspiracy theorist David Icke hits back after Australia revokes visa".The Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.Retrieved2024-04-09.
- ^Alter, Alexandra (2018-12-21)."Alice Walker, Answering Backlash, Praises Anti-Semitic Author as 'Brave'".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Retrieved2024-04-09.
