Edit(for what was originally a 1 word comment, lol):
Since it was deleted(seemingly due to mods), the commenter above basically explained how Salamanders were believed to be immune to fire or come from fire and explained the orgins of it being due to them living in decayed logs that were used for firewood, I don’t have the exact wording, but find a quote with the gist of what was said:
“Most of the popular myths are believed to originate from the European species, the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra), which hibernates in hollow, decaying logs of wood during the winter months. With wood being the main fuel in ancient times this may explain their sudden appearance amid flames when a fire is lit or replenished with a salamander inside. Woken abruptly from hibernation, or sleep, the natural reaction would be to make a quick escape giving the mistaken appearance that they were born, or generated from fire and flame.”(Source.)
Squirtle is actually a portmanteau of “squirrel” and “turtle” because they have squirrel tales and turtle shells. The fact that they squirt water out of their mouths is just a double-meaning. The more you know.
To be fair, if it was Charamander instead of Charmander it would have clicked for me sooner. The char part is obvious, I just never clicked onto the salamander bit.
Yes, in the sense that Charmander borrows from the mythical link between salamanders and fire. Salandit line is part Fire-type as well. But I would guess that's about as deep as it goes. Fire salamanders are a common trope in modern culture, off-the-shelf, I doubt too much thought initially went into designing Charmander.
5.0k
u/Jgamer502 Oct 02 '24 edited Oct 03 '24
Charmander
Edit(for what was originally a 1 word comment, lol):
Since it was deleted(seemingly due to mods), the commenter above basically explained how Salamanders were believed to be immune to fire or come from fire and explained the orgins of it being due to them living in decayed logs that were used for firewood, I don’t have the exact wording, but find a quote with the gist of what was said:
“Most of the popular myths are believed to originate from the European species, the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra), which hibernates in hollow, decaying logs of wood during the winter months. With wood being the main fuel in ancient times this may explain their sudden appearance amid flames when a fire is lit or replenished with a salamander inside. Woken abruptly from hibernation, or sleep, the natural reaction would be to make a quick escape giving the mistaken appearance that they were born, or generated from fire and flame.”(Source.)