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Gaasyendietha

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gaasyendietha (Seneca: Gá:šöje:ta’)[1], also known as the meteor dragon according to Seneca mythology, is a giant serpent that dwells in the deep areas of rivers and lakes of Canada, especially Lake Ontario. This serpent could fly on a trail of fire, and it could also spew fire, which has led to it being viewed as analogous to European dragons.[2][3][4]

It is also known as the "meteor dragon", in reference to its supposed origin from a meteoroid that had impacted the Earth. It is also capable of crossing the heavens on a trail of fire.[5] Another reference to it is as the "fire lion", which is the Iroquioan version of the underwater panther.[6]

In the tale "Ganyadjigowa", the hero Ganyadjigowa (The Mudhen) was killed by Gaasyendietha, in the form of an old man.[7]

References

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  1. Chafe, Wallace. "English-Seneca Dictionary" (PDF). p. 35. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  2. "Sea Serpents of Canada" Archived 2011-07-13 at the Wayback Machine, Charles Alexander Moffat.
  3. The Serene Dragon Archived 2007-01-04 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. Darek Isaacs (2010). Dragons Or Dinosaurs?: Creation Or Evolution?. Bridge Logos Foundation. p. 121. ISBN 9780882704777. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  5. Ash Dekirk (2006). Dragonlore: From the Archives of the Grey School of Wizardry. Career Press. p. 48. ISBN 9781564148681. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  6. Walker, Deward E. (1989). Witchcraft and Sorcery of the American Native Peoples. Moscow, Idaho: University of Idaho Press. p. 157. ISBN 978-0893011277.
  7. Curtin, Jeremiah; Hewitt, J.N.B. (1918). Annual Report, Volume 32. Smithsonian Institution. Bureau of American Ethnology. pp. 236~251. Retrieved Dec 21, 2019.
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