Key Concepts

Words to Know

Come Prepared

Teaching in the Exhibition

Explore Mythic Creatures with a Field Journal

Back in the Classroom

Map of the Exhibition

Connections to Other Museum Halls

Standards Correlations

Credits

Teaching in the Exhibition

Use this teaching tour of eight recommended stops to explore the Key Concepts. Refer to the Map of the Exhibition to find locations. Students can also explore the exhibition independently or in small groups with a field journal.

dragon tour: Dragons appear on pavilions in the land, water, and air realms as well as in a room at the end of the exhibition. The dragon pavilion stops highlighted below, along with the dragon room, can be followed as an alternative tour.

water realm

Early Scientific Texts and Map (Sea Monsters section)
Have students look at the sea monsters in these 16th-century books. Mention that the ocean was less explored then than it is today. Ask:

• What do you think people thought about the sea and its inhabitants at that time in history?
  

Mermaid Figurehead, Mami Wata Paintings, and Haitian Vodou Flags
All mermaids are half fish, half human, but their depictions vary with local mythology and legend. Have students compare these mermaids from three different regions of the world. Ask:

• Can you find the unique elements that differentiate European, African, and Caribbean mermaids?
  
  
• Why do you think these mermaids look so similar?
  

water dragon pavilion
Have students examine the Chinese dragon shadow puppets. What do these puppets suggest about the meanings dragons have in Chinese culture?

land realm

Dwarf Elephant Skull (Cyclops Section)
Fossilized skulls of dwarf elephants are still found where the one-eyed cyclops was said to roam. Invite students to observe the skull and imagine stumbling upon it on an eroding hillside. Ask:

• Why do you think the ancient Greeks may have thought skulls like this belonged to one-eyed giants?
  
  
• What is this actually a skull of?
  
  
• What features tell you it belonged to a small elephant?
  

Barong Ket Costume
The Barong Ket comes to life in costume performances that involve whole communities. Have students study the costume and pictures. Ask:

• What aspects of human life are portrayed during the Barong performances? How do the performances help communities?
  
  
• What animal(s) do you think this Barong resembles? What does the costume tell you about the Barong?
  

land dragon pavilion
Have students observe the statue of St. George slaying a dragon. What does this statue suggest about the meanings dragons have in European cultures?

air realm

Garuda Display
The mythic bird-creature Garuda originated in Hindu custom, then diversified throughout Asia. Artistic interpretations of Garuda vary with medium and local cultural style. Have students look closely at the different Garuda figurines. Ask:

• What features are shared? What features differ?
  
  
• What is each Garuda doing? What do Garuda's interactions with other beings tell you about this creature?
  

Haast's Eagle Talon (Roc Section)
Sometimes scientists find evidence that hints at the possible origins of legendary creatures. Around the world there are many different stories of enormous birds. The Maori people of New Zealand tell stories about a giant eagle. Have students look at the illustration of a Haast's eagle attacking moas. Then have them touch and think about the cast of a talon from an extinct Haast's eagle. Ask:

• What does evidence like this talon tell you about the possible origins of some mythic creatures?
  
  
• Do you think the Haast's eagle is still living today? Why or why not?
  

air dragon pavilion
Have students examine the carved stone head of Quetzalcoatl. What does this carving suggest about the meanings dragons have in Aztec and Mayan cultures?

dragon room

Ethiopian Illustrated Text
European dragons are usually depicted as serpentlike creatures. St. George was a legendary dragon slayer and became a popular symbol of Christian faith. Ask:

• How is St. George interacting with the dragon in this illustration?
  
  
• What does the dragon look like?
  
  
• What is it about this dragon's appearance that makes it a symbol of evil?
  

Chinese Dragon Robe
Asian dragons are portrayed as benevolent creatures and divine bringers of rain. Robes like this were worn by Chinese emperors. Its symbolic decorations show dragons in a watery landscape. Ask:

• What is depicted on this robe?
  
  
• Why do you think Chinese emperors were associated with dragons?