These mythological creatures with a thousand shapes and most of the times with a disturbing and creepy appearance, we can find them in both Greek and Roman tales and legends but also in those of Nordic and Eastern culture. When we talk about these mythological creatures we must keep in mind that in a given culture and at a given historical moment they were believed to be real beings, therefore, actually existed.
We will then come across the mythical Sirens daughters of the god of rivers Acheloo born from the drops of blood that came out of the wounds caused by Hercules, we will meet the Minotaur who was locked up in a labyrinth built by the architect Daedalus on the orders of Minos. Continue to read and find out more about different mythical creatures from all around the world.
Japanese mythical creatures
Each culture has its monsters. In Japan there are many terms to refer to these supernatural subjects, including mononoke, bakemono, obake and finally the most famous of all: yokai. The word “yokai” describes not only a series of creatures typical of Japanese folklore, but everything that does not belong to the earthly dimension, including supernatural phenomena never explained and objects possessed by mysterious entities. As for the ancient origins of these demons, there are numerous written testimonies (traceable in numerous works and stories) that show that yokai was already talked about many centuries ago.
Yurei
Often also known by the name of obake, borei or shiryo, the Yurei are one of the most popular and ancient types among Japanese spirits. As already mentioned, these are ghosts full of resentment returned from beyond to avenge their death or to haunt certain places. It can also often happen that a Yurei is formed due to a missed funeral or prayer rite by family members after the victim’s disappearance. In these cases it is possible to make peace with the spirit in question and allow it an honorable death through specific rituals.
Japanese Oni
A real Japanese demon par excellence, the Oni is usually born on the battlefields or in general in places where human rage and violence have made numerous victims. Similar to hideous orcs, the Oni differ from many other types of yokai because they are always evil and absolutely devoid of benevolent forms: a real Japanese devil. Their features are humanoid but their faces are often animalistic. Their heads are always equipped with large antlers, be they deer, moose or even dragon and it is from these that their immense power derives. Usually dressed in some tiger skin rags, they kill human lives with their bare hands or using terrible weapons with spiked clubs and clubs.
Hannya
The Hannya is the female version of the Oni: they are women consumed by jealousy and transformed into demons even before dying. They almost always wear a typical mask (known as the hannya mask), which has subsequently become very common in Japanese “Noh theater” performances. Unlike their male counterparts, these demonic females have a good chance of redeeming themselves and returning to their human life, often through religious rituals and Buddhist prayers. The Hannyas have thinner horns than the Oni and less strength, yet they are very dangerous enchantresses. Under their traditional mask they have serpentine mouths with sharp teeth and fiery breath, their body is instead covered with an elegant long kimono.
Tengu
The Tengu are spirits similar to Buddhist monks or religious ascetics who inhabit the peaks of the highest Japanese mountains. Benevolent in nature, they spend their time meditating and pursuing self-refinement, almost always keeping away from humans. They are usually very wise and calm, however if provoked they can trigger real catastrophes such as fires or earthquakes. Their appearance is humanoid in structure and their clothes are those typical of ascetic monks. Their faces (which has always been a source of inspiration for Japanese masks) are however entirely red and their noses are thin and very long: the longer the nose the more powerful the Tengu. They also have large feathered wings on their backs.
Mythical sea creatures
Mermaids
Of all the mythical creatures that live in the oceans, mermaids are the most popular. Walt Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Fountain of Youth, or Splash with Tom Hanks. Over a hundred films tell a story or feature mermaid characters. The word mermaid comes from the Latin “siren” and the Greek “seirèn”, and would have two meanings: either “tie with a rope” or “clear and dry” (because it would be in clear and dry weather that the mermaids would appear). They come from medieval and Scandinavian legends. Birdwomen and fishwomen seem to coexist since the Middle Ages and have the same attributions: they bewitch sailors with their beauty and their melodious songs, put them to sleep then kill and devour them.
Triton
Triton is the son of Amphitrite, the goddess of the seas and Poseidon, the god of the sea and oceans. Triton is represented with a human face and a fish tail just like the sirens, but he is armed with a conch into which he blows to calm the waves. In the 2nd century AD, Pausanias, a Greek geographer and historian, also believed in the existence of tritons which he described as wearing seaweed on their heads with a body covered with scales, a toothed mouth, hands in the shape of a shells with a dolphin tail. This belief will last until the beginning of the 19th century.
The Kraken
Legends say that the kraken would be able to grab the hull of a ship to capsize it, causing it to sink. As for the sailors, they were drowned and sometimes devoured. This legend has its origins in the observation by scientists of real giant squids, the length of which has been estimated at 13 to 15 meters, including the tentacles. While these animals normally live at great depths, they would have been spotted on the surface and would have “attacked” ships. Despite the recorded human losses, the Kraken did not have a reputation as an aggressor, in the stories there is never any question of a direct attack on humans.
Leviathan
This sea monster, from Phoenician mythology, is mentioned in religious texts such as the Bible, the Talmud or the book of Isaiah, where it symbolizes the forces of evil. He is described as the most terrible of all, the one that only the sword of God could kill. It is described with a body covered with scales and spits fire. It is often represented by a multi-headed sea serpent whose length varies between 6 and 75 meters, but it can also be related to a whale or a crocodile.
Scylla and Charybdis
Charybdis and Scylla are two monsters who guard a sea route that gives access to the island of Ithaca in Greece. They are described by Homer in his Odyssey. Charybdis is the daughter of Poseidon and Gaia. She was transformed after stealing part of a herd of beasts for food. She was punished by Zeus and changed into a mighty whirlwind which, three times a day, engulfed the boats. Scylla meanwhile, is a nymph resembling an octopus, changed into a sea monster following a story of jealousy. She has the voice of a little dog and has twelve stubby feet, six very long necks each with a hideous head whose mouth is lined with a triple row of teeth.
Jormungand
Jormungand is a sea serpent, son of the Giantess Angrboda; he is also called “the Serpent of Midgard” or “The Mysterious Dragon of the North”. Odin, the king of the Norse Gods, threw him into the depths of the sea following the revelation of a prophecy which announced that the children of Loki would decimate the Aesir Gods. During Ragnarök (end of the world), Jormungand caused a tidal wave by rising from the sea to fight alongside the Giants against the Aesir. Thor will succeed in defeating him but, hit by the poison instilled in his flesh by Jormungand, he will quickly crumble.
Greek mythical creatures
The Sphinx
The first creature on our list is the sphinx; a monster with the body of a lion, the head of a woman and the wings of an eagle. the sphinx is perhaps best known for its role in the legend of Oedipus. the story goes that during Oedipus’ journey to Thebes, he is confronted by this mysterious creature. The sphinx blocks Oedipus’ path and confronts him with an enigma. Although the exact riddle is not mentioned in ancient Greek legend, the popular version of the story has it that the Sphinx poses the following riddle to the young traveler.
The Cyclops
Cyclops were primordial giants who were said to have been born from Gaia, the earth. They were said to possess great strength and ferocity, with a bulging eye protruding from their forehead. Fearing their power, the Cyclops were thrown into the pits of Tartarus by their father Uranus. The monsters remained imprisoned when the titan Cronus overthrew Uranus and took his place as ruler of the universe. It was not until the Olympians came to power that the Cyclops found freedom. The mighty Zeus freed the monsters who, in turn, made lightning bolts for the young Olympian.
The Chimera
The Chimera was a ferocious, incendiary monstrosity that possessed the body and head of a lion with the head of a goat protruding from its back and a snake for a tail. The brief description of the Chimera in the text of The Iliad is the earliest evidence of the creature. The Chimera is traditionally considered a female and is said to have given birth to the Sphinx and the Nemean lion. The monster was feared and considered an omen for storms, shipwrecks and other natural disasters.
The Hydra
A creature whose venom was so dangerous that even the breath exhaled by the Hydra could be fatal to any man. Additionally, the Hydra had the uncanny ability to regrow decapitated limbs with alarming speed. It was said that for every severed head, two more would grow in its place. His lair was Lake Lerna in an ancient part of the Peloponnese. The Hydra is said to hide in an underwater cave which would have been an entrance to the underworld.
The Hydra is known to be the second monster that Heracles encounters during his twelve labors. Before attacking the Hydra, Heracles covers his mouth and nose with cloth to keep him safe from the deadly toxins the monster emits from its many mouths. Originally, Heracles attacks Hydra with a sickle, sword, or his trademark club. However, the hero soon realizes that for each decapitated head, the creature quickly grows by two more. The battle seems hopeless.
Chinese mythical creatures
The Dragon
Unlike what happens in the West, the Dragon enjoys a better reputation in the East, although not always positive. In general, Chinese dragons are commonly depicted as snakes with four legs, although there is no shortage of images that portray them more like turtles or fish. Traditionally they symbolize powerful and propitious powers, especially the control of water, rain, typhoons and floods. In Asian culture the dragon is also a symbol of power, strength and good luck for people who are worthy of it, so much so that in the past the emperor used the dragon as a symbol of his strength and power. In the legends of ancient mythology, dragons act as vehicles or haulers for great deities, for example the Father of the East and the Queen Mother of the West.
Huangdi
The scholars of ancient China remembered Huangdi, the Yellow Emperor, as the mythical ancestor of the Rong-Chien. The Chinese adopted him and made him the successor of the Three Augusti, considering him the founder of their civilization. He had a residence on top of Mount Kunlun, a mountain from which four rivers flowed, but he behaved like a nomad. He traveled in a wagon and his real name, Xuanyuan, meant “Axle of the Wagon.” Four heads are sometimes attributed to him. Highly intelligent, he could speak a few days after birth, and he was magical and divine. One of his ministers would have invented writing. He was a warrior, who learned “the use of the shield and the spear,” according to the historianSima Qian. He also knew how to tame wild beasts. The Chinese associated with him two brothers, Shentu and Yulei, who killed demons.
The Dragon Kings
The four Dragon Kings are the divine rulers of the oceans, who control the weather and bring rain. As befits kings, each of them has a royal court and commands an army of ocean creatures. The Dragon Kings appear many times in classical literature. Their magical powers go far beyond the control of time, as they can appear as dragons, humans, or even huge jets of water! Even today, shrinesthroughout China honor the dragon kings, and travelers seek their favors on new journeys. It’s best to stay on the good side of the Dragon Kings though, as many stories tell of their willingness to bring droughts, storms, and floods.
Phoenix
Fenghuang, or the Phoenix, is one of the four famous Chinese mythical creatures. It symbolizes the sun, heat, summer and harvest. It is said that Fenghuang was born from fire and is considered the emperor of all birds. A couple of male and female Fenghuang together is the symbol of eternal love. In Chinese mythology, he is an immortal bird whose rare appearance would be a harbinger of harmony when a new emperor ascends the throne. Fenghuang is often taken to mean both masculine and feminine elements, a yin-yang harmony ; his name is a combination of the words feng representing the masculine and huang the feminine.
Pixiu
According to Chinese mythology, Pixiu is depicted as a kind of winged lion with a dragon’s head and tail, and a lion’s body. He flies in the sky, guarding the sky day and night. It is also considered a kind of ” fierce beast ” and is used as a term for a powerful and invincible army. The legendary Yellow Emperor has recruited the fiercest animals into his army in the war against Emperor Yan. In classical texts, the Pixiu is therefore often used as a metaphor for a mighty army.
Qilin
Qilin, a legendary animal in ancient China, was called a “benevolent beast” in ancient times. He was the symbol of good fortune. This animal has the body of the moose, the head of the lion, the horn of the deer, the eyes of the tiger and the tail of the ox. According to Chinese folklore, once upon a time there was a couple who had been trying for a baby for a long time. One night, a Qilin rushed to their house, spat a piece of silk from his mouth, with the words “he had the character and abilities of a monarch, but unfortunately he was not born in the family royal” written on the fabric. This message heralded the future greatness of their unborn child. The next day, when Qilin disappeared, Confucius, a great Chinese philosopher, was born. Qilin is therefore believed to be a symbol of luck, good omens, protection and fertility, which is why it is often used as a lucky charm when bringing a baby into a family.
Nian
According to ancient Chinese legend, in ancient times there was a fierce monster named “Nian” with sharp teeth and horns, with a huge head, sharp claws, in the shape of a lion. Isolated for a long time in the black sea, the beast went to dry land at the end of the lunar year and hunted men and cattle. So every time before the New Year, all the villagers would flee to distant mountains to avoid Nian’s attack. Things took another turn when all the inhabitants started to take refuge in the mountains, the village took in a strange old man. With silver hair and bright, piercing eyes, he was a ragged beggar, walking with a stick. Drowned in great panic, the villagers closed their doors and windows and packed up their food. Everything was in chaos, and no one cared about the newcomer.
Scary mythical creatures
Minotaur
The legend of the Minotaur begins with the sacrifice of 14 children from Athens in Ancient Greece. They are sent to a labyrinth in Crete to roam for many days through the darkness. Each step brings them closer to the Minotaur. According to the myth, the people of Athens randomly select the individuals who will be sacrificed. The King of Crete had ordered the sacrifice of Athenians to avenge the death of his son by this people, it was these poor boys and girls who paid the high price. Even though they were careful, the children were still found by the Minotaur in this story from antiquity. They got a brief flash of his monstrous face in the dark. But before they could even scream, his mighty arms grabbed them, tore them apart and devoured their bodies raw. This story is now legendary.
Nemean lion
The Nemean Lion was a legendary gigantic lion in Greek mythology believed to be one of the descendants of Echidna and Typhon, although some accounts suggest that he was a child of Zeus as well as Selene and that he fell from the moon. Another account presents this feline having its own constellation as the child of Chimera. The Nemean lion was endowed with a skin impervious to the weapons of mortals, moreover its claws were significantly more effective than all existing swords of mortals.
Chimera
The Chimera is described in Homer’s Iliad, circa 1590-1610. From an angle, it could be mistaken for a lion. However, closer we could see a goat’s head coming out of his body like a toxic excrescence. Its tail, shimmering green in the light, was covered in scales with bright yellow eyes and a hissing tongue with venom dripping from its mouth like a mischievous reptile. The Chimera is actually a mad fusion of several beasts within a single body. This creature was as terrifying as it was powerful, it could obliterate an individual with the snap of its fingers.
Ladon
Ladon is also known as the Hesperian Dragon, he was a hundred-headed dragon who guarded the golden apples of the Hesperides. The eleventh labor of Heracles determined by King Eurystheus was to steal the golden apples from Hesperides. Following numerous searches in Egypt, Libya and Asia, Heracles found the garden, decimated Ladon and stole the golden apples.
Wendigo
Behold the mythological creature known as Wendigo. The story begins in 1661, a group of Jesuit missionaries went to the heart of the country of the Algonquins but some caught a strange disease. Some Jesuits came to help their brothers who caught this disease, but many stories said that things had gone wrong, but the worst was yet to come, here is the story described: “These men were seized with a disease making them hungry for human flesh, be it women, children, men, they devoured them voraciously, without ever satisfying their monstrous appetite.”
Mexican mythical creatures
The Black Charro
The Mexican legend reports that at the edges of the roads of the villages, a man dressed in charro appeared and was installed on a black horse. You had to be nice to him at all costs and allow him to take you home. However, one day, a woman named Adela passed him and she asked the charro to put him on his horse and once on the horse, the charro changed its appearance. A legend worthy of horror movies!
The Chupacabra
During one night, a strange creature had attacked the cattle of the peasants. Thus, all the animals had the same mark on the neck: a bite. It is reported that the whole village was very scared and it was at this time that American biologists conducted an investigation and concluded that it was a coyote and not the chupacabra.
The Weeping Woman ( La Lorona)
Legend has it that long ago, a woman, who was trying to get revenge on the man she loved, murdered her children by drowning them in a river. Immediately afterwards, she regretted her action and, faced with this guilt, she committed suicide. Since then, she roams the streets of different cities at midnight (especially near places where there is water) and repeats endlessly “Woe to my children! “. That is why it is known as “La Llorona”.
The hairy hand
It is said that in the early 1900s, a man named Horta lived in Puebla. He was the owner of a pious mountain. The monte pio was a kind of fund of money collected through contributions or remittances made to people who were part of an organization. This served as support for wives and children in the event of the man’s death. It turns out that Mr. Horta was characterized by greed and bad behavior. He was frowned upon in the village and many people wished him ill. There was one common wish, which was proclaimed by all who passed by the establishment, and that was that they hoped that God would dry his hand.