• The African Hydra is also known as the Waterlord and his story can be read at Polenth's site.

• The Learnean Hydra (Hercules's foe), had 9 heads and lived in Lerna in a pool formed by the Amymone spring. It is the half sister of the Nemean Lion. When one of her heads was cut, two more would grow in its place.
• 8 heads were mortal, 1 was immortal.
• Earliest representations are on a 14th Century BC Syrian seal that reflects a Babylonian influence.
• Characterized by multiple heads and necks, but may appear with or without wings and legs
• Also characterized by thick legs and tail

• In the Bible, the hydra's mouth is representative of the gateway to hell.
• Symbol of fertilization because it can regenerate itself

• David Jones, in An Instinct for Dragons, speculates that the hydra's many heads were more a portrayal of motion and danger than an actual physical description. He bases this on engravings dated between 30,000 and 10,000 BC and found in Southern France. The artist had drawn a "herd of reindeer" in a single line although other drawings of the region (author had specified ones in Spain for comparison) show herds as groups. This, Jones suggests, could mean a depiction of movement in the French engraving. If true, he continues, that could mean that the hydra's many heads are also movement-based. And for primitives, movement by large creatures and predators always meant danger.

• A Biblical Hydra, as portrayed in Apocrypha as huge, red, seven crowned heads, and ten horns and fought Michael and his angels before being cast back to earth.
• Red Dragon of the Apocalypse

Draconian.com/whatis, Morgeu, Polenth, DenCity

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