Jenny Haniver
Mummified rays or skates sold as mythical creatures.
Last updated
A Jenny Haniver is a dried and hand-modified ray or skate carcass made to look like a mythical creature such as a demon or dragon.[1] This practice of creating and selling these curiosities dates back to the 16th century.[1] The term may derive from the French phrase "jeune d'Anvers," meaning "youth of Antwerp".[2]
Quick Facts
- Common misconception
- Basilisks
- Field
- Curiosities and taxidermy
Facts from the source article.
Key facts and history
The personal name "Jenny Haniver" came about when British sailors transformed the French phrase jeune d'Anvers into that form.[2] Konrad Gesner's Historia Animalium contains the first known illustration of a Jenny Haniver.[3] The belief that Jenny Hanivers were basilisks was the most widespread error about them.[4] Since basilisks were thought to kill by looking at someone, nobody could claim to know their actual appearance.[4]
In Veracruz, Mexico, people attribute magical properties to Jenny Hanivers, and curanderos use them in their ritual practices.[5]
What the cited sources add
The "Journal of the Bizarre" states that Jenny Hanivers became popular in the mid-16th century when sailors near Antwerp docks sold them to tourists.[6] The same source notes that the first published explanation of Jenny Hanivers was written by Konrad Gesner in 1558.[6] Some scholars were so convinced of the creature's authenticity that they believed it was a unique species called satanicus aquus, or "devil fish".[6] The "Poems Underwater" account gives the term's origin as "Jenny" (meaning female) and "D'Anvers" (meaning "from Antwerp").[7]
That account also states that Jenny Hanivers overlap thematically with "strange fish" curiosities displayed at fairs and markets for money.[7] The "Journal of the Bizarre" reports that the barndoor skate, long popular with Jenny Haniver creators, is now listed as endangered.[6]
References
- Wikipedia, "Jenny Haniver" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Journal of the Bizarre", 23 May 2012; Roger G-S, "Roles, Rules, and Rolls: Monster Monday: Jenny Haniver, Sea Clergy, and Morkoths", 15 October 2012; "jenny hanivers - Poems Underwater" (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Jenny Haniver" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Journal of the Bizarre", 23 May 2012; "jenny hanivers - Poems Underwater" (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Jenny Haniver" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "jenny hanivers - Poems Underwater"; "Jenny Haniver", Wondercabinet; Sophia Hendrikx, "Fantastic Beasts and How to Make Them (according to 16th century instructions)", November 1, 2018 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Jenny Haniver" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Peter Dance, "Animal Fakes and Frauds" (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Jenny Haniver" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "FOTOS El diablo, un pez para la magia negra - El Universal Veracruz" (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- "Journal of the Bizarre", 23 May 2012. facts only, no text reused. journalofthebizarre.blogspot.ae
- "jenny hanivers - Poems Underwater". facts only, no text reused. poemsunderwater.wordpress.com
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Jenny Haniver (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Jenny Haniver (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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