Lamia

Origin: Ancient Greek mythology

Combination: human + snake

Classification: Reptile

Other Names: [none]

Associations: curse, insomnia, vengeance

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Lamia is a mythical creature from Greek mythology. She is often depicted as a seductive woman with the lower body of a serpent. Lamia was originally a beautiful queen loved by Zeus, but due to the jealousy of Zeus' wife Hera, Lamia was cursed and transformed into a monster. Hera also punished Lamia by kidnapping or killing her children. Zeus gave Lamia the power of prophecy and the ability to take out and reinsert her eyes, possibly because her curse included insomnia, forcing her to always obsess over her lost children.

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Legends describe Lamia as a vengeful and malevolent creature driven by grief and anger who would consume any men who fell for her charms. Lamia was also believed to prey on young infants and devour them as a form of revenge for the loss of her own children.