Anthropologist James Mooney described the Uktena as a “great snake, as large around as a tree trunk, with horns on its head, and a bright blazing crest like a diamond on its forehead, and scales glowing like sparks of fire. It has rings or spots of color along its whole length, and can not be wounded except by shooting in the seventh spot from the head, because under this spot are its heart and its life...”
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297 Myths of the Cherokee)
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In Lakota mythology, Unhcegila is a similar Great Snake or Serpent and here too you find that seventh scale mentioned: “Her weakness is a seventh spot on her head, behind of which a flashing red crystal lies within, which functioned as her heart. To kill her, one has to shoot a medicine arrow at it. This crystal was much sought after by many warriors, as it grants its bearer great power,” or so Mr. Wikipedia believes and fails to provide a source.
Wonderful. Thanks.
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