The term “basilisk” is employed in literature both as a literal mythic creature and as a potent metaphor. Authors invoke its legendary lethal gaze to suggest paralyzing or even deadly looks—Shakespeare’s work equates a piercing stare to that of a basilisk [1][2], while other authors describe a character’s glance as having the same fatal effect [3][4][5]. In some texts the basilisk appears as a tangible, dangerous creature with transformative qualities [6][7], yet in other contexts it symbolizes an overwhelming power or threat, as when a single look carries a weight of terror akin to a venomous curse [8][9]. Moreover, the word is versatile enough to denote names in maritime adventures and adorn heraldic emblems, reinforcing its enduring role as a symbol of both myth and menace [10][11][12].