For the tribe of werewolves in the World of Darkness setting, see Uktena (World of Darkness).
A Horned Serpent in a Barrier Canyon Style pictograph, Western San Rafael Swell region of Utah.
The Horned Serpent is a mystical, invisible, serpent with horns appearing in the mythologies of many Native Americans. He brought rain and made a noise similar to (but not the same as) thunder.
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In traditional culture
Rock Art (Pony Hills and Cook's Peak TX)
The Horned Serpent was venerated, in various forms, by the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Creek, just to name a few. Among the Eastern and Western Cherokee Indians, the horned serpent known as Uktena was venerated. Anthropologist James Mooney, describes it thus:
- "Those who know say the Uktena is a great snake, as large around as a tree trunk, with horns on its head, and a bright blazing crest like a diamond on its forehead, and scales glowing like sparks of fire. It has rings or spots of color along its whole length, and can not be wounded except by shooting in the seventh spot from the head, because under this spot are its heart and its life. The blazing diamond is called Ulun'suti -- "Transparent" -- and he who can win it may become the greatest wonder worker of the tribe. But it is worth a man's life to attempt it, for whoever is seen by the Uktena is so dazed by the bright light that he runs toward the snake instead of trying to escape. As if this were not enough, the breath of the Uktena is so pestilencial, that no living creature can survive should they inhale the tiniest bit of the foul air expelled by the Uktena. Even to see the Uktena asleep is death, not to the hunter himself, but to his family."
Other known names
- Misi-kinepikw ("great snake") - Cree
- Misi-ginebig ("great snake") - Anishininimowin
- Mishi-ginebig ("great snake") - Ojibwemowin
- Pita-skog ("great snake") - Abenaki
- Sint Holo - Choctaw
- Unktehi - Dakota
In popular culture
In the role-playing game Rifts, Uktena is not only a monstrous spirit of godlike stature but a rival to the Ondi Thunderbird and the Native Americans.
In the role-playing game Werewolf:The Apocalypse, Uktena is a godlike tribal totem to the Uktena tribe of werewolfes.
See also
References
- Willoughby, Charles C. (1936). "The Cincinnati Tablet: An Interpretation". The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Quarterly 45:257-264.
- Native American Mythology
- Glossary of Alternate Religions
- Serpents in Mythology
