Curious History of Jenny Hanivers
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Christopher ServantCurious History of Jenny Hanivers
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Christopher ServantJenny Haniver
A Jenny Haniver is the carcass of a ray or a skate that has been
modified by hand then dried, resulting in a mummified specimen
intended to resemble a fanciful fictional creature, such as a demon or
dragon.[1][2][3]
Contents
Name
History
Gallery
In popular culture
See also
References
Name
One suggestion for the origin of the term was the French phrase jeune
d'Anvers ("youth of Antwerp"). British sailors "cockneyed" this
description into the personal name "Jenny Haniver."[1][3]
History Jenny Haniver
Jenny Hanivers have been created to look like devils, angels and
dragons. Some writers have suggested the sea monk may have been a Jenny Haniver.[1]
The earliest known picture of Jenny Haniver appeared in Konrad Gesner's Historia Animalium vol. IV in
1558. Gesner warned that these were merely disfigured rays and should not be believed to be miniature
dragons or monsters, which was a popular misconception at the time.[3][4]
The most common misconception was that Jenny Hanivers were basilisks. As basilisks were creatures that
killed with merely a glance, no one could claim to know what one looks like. For this reason it was easy to
pass off Jenny Hanivers as these creatures, which were still widely feared in the 16th century.[5]
In Veracruz, Jenny Hanivers are considered to have magical powers and are employed by curanderos in their
rituals.[6] This tradition is similar to one in Japan, where fake taxidermy ningyo (similar to Fiji mermaids) were
produced and kept in temples.
Gallery
In popular culture
The Jenny Haniver is an airship in the Mortal Engines Quartet series of novels by Philip Reeve,
and a boat in one of its prequels, A Web of Air.
The Bermuda Depths, a 1978 fantasy film which starred Leigh McCloskey and Connie
Sellecca, featured Sellecca as a mysterious character named "Jenny Haniver."
See also
Amabie
Ningyo
Fiji mermaid
References
1. "Journal of the Bizarre" (http://journalofthebizarre.blogspot.ae/2012/05/jenny-hanivers-mermaid
s-devil-fish-and.html). Retrieved 15 November 2014.
2. Roger G-S. "Roles, Rules, and Rolls: Monster Monday: Jenny Haniver, Sea Clergy, and
Morkoths" (http://rolesrules.blogspot.ae/2012/10/monster-monday-jenny-haniver-sea-clergy.htm
l). Retrieved 15 November 2014.
3. "jenny hanivers - Poems Underwater" (http://poemsunderwater.wordpress.com/tag/jenny-haniv
ers/). Retrieved 15 November 2014.
4. "Jenny Haniver" (http://www.wondercabinet.net/2012/04/25/jenny-haniver/). Wondercabinet.
Retrieved 15 November 2014.
5. Peter Dance, Animal Fakes and Frauds
6. "FOTOS El diablo, un pez para la magia negra - El Universal Veracruz" (https://web.archive.or
g/web/20140528070634/http://www.eluniversalveracruz.com.mx/veracruzanos-personajes/201
3/pez-del-diablo-mitologia-veracruzana-19598.html) (in Spanish). Archived from the original (ht
tp://www.eluniversalveracruz.com.mx/veracruzanos-personajes/2013/pez-del-diablo-mitologia-
veracruzana-19598.html) on 28 May 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
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This page was last edited on 9 February 2021, at 12:28 (UTC).
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