| Salamander | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| Naming | |||
| Others | Vulcanus | ||
| Morphology | |||
| Body type | Lacertilian | ||
| Intelligence | |||
| Sentience | Sentient | ||
| Sapience | Sapient | ||
| Ecology | |||
| Habitat | Fire | ||
| Locomotion | Quadrupedal | ||
| Behind the Scenes | |||
| Universe | Real | ||
In traditional European mythology, Salamanders are amphibian or reptile-like fire-elementals which seek shelter among the flames and spawn whenever wood burns. According to the writings of Leonardo da Vinci, the Salamander has no digestive system and needs only fire to feed and regenerate itself.
The renowned alchemist Paracelsus listed Salamanders as one of the four elemental races of nature, the other three being Gnomes (earth), Undines (water) and Sylphs (air). In their natural form they're lean and reptilian, but sometimes they may take the appearance of fiery balls of light or tongues of fire.
Biology[]
According to Paracelsus, the elementals are material creatures, not unlike human beings, which need to eat and sleep. They're not made of the same corporeal substances as we are, but they're still not considered spirits either. Instead, they occupy an intermediate position between these two categories of beings: both spiritual and corporeal.
Each elemental is able to move through and survive within their own element but not in others. As such, Gnomes move through, see through, breath and live within earth and solid rocks. The same applies to Undines in water and Salamanders in fire. And the Sylphs are the most human-like of the four because like humans, they live in, see through, breath and move through air.
The factor that distinguishes humans and elementals is that the human being is made of a body, a spirit and an immortal soul. The elementals have the body and the spirit but lack the soul, meaning that they cease to exist upon death. They may acquire a soul, however, if they marry a human being.
In popular culture[]
- They're featured as non-sapient magical creatures in the Harry Potter series, where Rubeus Hagrid teaches his students how to take proper care of them.
Gallery[]
.png "Salamander (Harry Potter).png (291 KB)")
