In Cherokee mythology, Uktena is a horned serpent said to possess a jewel in its forehead.
Cherokee traditions describe Uktena as a powerful serpent with horns and a shining jewel or crystal. The creature’s immense size and supernatural abilities make it one of the most prominent serpent beings in Cherokee storytelling. Some modern descriptions compare Uktena with a dragon, although Cherokee tradition identifies it specifically as a horned serpent.
Stories warn that obtaining the jewel was extremely dangerous. A person who managed to take it could gain remarkable power, but approaching Uktena required courage and special knowledge. The monster was also associated with danger, illness, and spiritual power.
Uktena is distinct from Mishipeshu, the underwater panther of Anishinaabe traditions, and from Unhcegila, a serpent-like being in Lakota tradition. Those creatures belong to different Indigenous mythologies.