Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns, & Mermaids

Myths, legends, and stories passed down over generations.  They span history and cross cultures and vary from place to place in the world.  But where did they begin?  Who were these dragons, giant sea monsters, and fairy tale creatures? The Academy of Natural Sciences takes a look at the scientific origins of these legends with Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns, & Mermaids on exhibit through June 9.

Every section of the special exhibit is a fun and fascinating look at the animal inspiration behind the lore and legend of various cultures and countries.  From giant squids and interesting narwhals to dinosaur fossils and bizarre reptiles, there's a cool creature or natural phenomenon behind nearly every tale.  The entire exhibit is interactive and immersive with places to design your own dragon, touch fossils, and even dress up like your favorite legendary creature.

One of our favorite parts of the experience was the look at different cultures and animals from around the world.  It was so interesting to see how the myths of dragons, mermaids, and more varied depending on the nature and history of a culture. It's a good lesson in how humans try to explain a new experience when they see or hear about something that is different than what they have always been accustomed to.

Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns, & Mermaids will be at The Academy of Natural Sciences until June 9th.  Visitors can save $2 on their ticket by purchasing them online ahead of time at ansp.org.


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