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Sep 24, 2015 · I’ve included many types of magical creatures, including humanoid creatures and magical animals, from Norse mythology, ancient Greek and Roman mythology, Asian folklore, Native American folklore, and other traditions.
- Golems
- Oni
- Cyclops
- Ogre
- Leprechauns
- Gnomes
- Goblins
- Faeries
- Gorgon
- Mermaid
Famous in Jewish folklore, golems are most often depicted as beings created from inanimate matter such as clay or mud, which have been brought to lifeto serve some purpose. For example, in some stories, a golem is created to defend against antisemitic attacks. According to legend, golems are uniquely obedient and will follow exact and literal order...
In Japanese myth, oni are people who were so truly wicked in their lives that they transformed into demons in hell. Some were even bad enough to be transformed while still alive! These giant, scary monsters with red or blue skin, horns, and tusks are traditionally the servants of hell. They enact violent punishment on evil-doers and will eat just a...
Most often depicted as a giant with one eye, the cyclops (which means ‘circle-eyed’) first appeared in ancient Greek mythology. Somewhat lesser known than the classic Greek gods, the cyclopes lived in isolation and tended sheep or goats without any government, society, or community. While scorned for their lawlessness, it was the cyclopes who creat...
Ogres are featured in folktales from all around the world, and though the word is of French origin, the creature itself is derived from the man-eating ancient Etruscan god Orcus. Now, many of us know ogres from Shrek, but Shrek is not your typical ogre. Ogres are usually large, tall, and strong with plenty of hair and a huge appetite. They are depi...
Leprechauns are widely known and easily recognizable, especially if you’ve ever had a certain breakfast cereal. While leprechauns originated in medieval Irish folklore, they did not become prominent until much later. Smaller, diminutive human-like beings, leprechauns are known to be solitary creatures with a love for mischief and practical jokes. I...
When you think of a gnome, you might picture your standard garden gnome: a small, cheerful guardian of flora and fauna. In some senses, this depiction isn’t entirely incorrect. In European folklore, dwarf-like earth spirits called gnomes guarded underground treasures. Medieval myths depicted gnomes as creatures resembling little old men, often with...
First appearing in Germanic and British folk tales, goblins vary in abilities, physical appearances, and purposes depending on the story and purpose. Like many other European legends, the origin of goblin mythology is not exactly clear. However, whether with devious tricks or real harm, they are universally known to be troublemakers and possess qua...
Faeries, also known as fairies, fey, or fae, can be traced back to Old French medieval romance stories. These supernatural creatures or spirits are popular across a wide variety of myths, legends, and stories, leading up to the present day. Generally, when we think of fairies or faeries, we think of small, winged, magical creatures. However, faerie...
Another memorable mythical creature from ancient Greece, the Gorgons, such as the famous Medusa, were vicious monsters capable of turning victims to stone with just one look. The Gorgons’ appearance was an interesting mix of beautiful and frightening, with their most notable feature being the fact that they had live snakes instead of hair. Gorgon m...
Mermaids have a unique allure that has captivated people throughout history. Myths of half-human, half-fish creatures can be traced all the way back to ancient Babylon. Similarly, merpeople are featured in Syrian, Polynesian, and Greek mythology. While some cultures depicted mermaids as beautiful and romantic(in Irish folklore, mermaids could trans...
Dec 7, 2023 · Dec 6, 2023 9:41 PM EST. Read on to explore a mythical creatures list that includes 100 of the greatest beasts and beings of mythology, legend and folklore. You'll also learn about the potential origins and debated existence of mythological creatures. Naja Bertolt Jensen | Unsplash.
Jan 13, 2024 · The main reason why creatures abound in Greek mythology is to test the bravery of our ancient heroes in their epics.In Ulysses' Odyssey, for example, he encounters cyclops and mermaids, passes through the Straits of Mesin and confronts Charybdis and Scylla, while Hercules battles the Hydra of Lerna, the Nemean lion, the hind of Cerynia, Theseus the Minotaur and Perseus riding Pegasus, eliminating the Gorgon and other monsters.Sometimes creatures have their own story and illustrate traits of ...
Apr 8, 2017 · Fantasy creatures are a timeless fascination of people all over the world. There are mystical mythical creatures that inhabit land, the sea and the air. Many have their basis in Mythology and some have emerged from cultural folklore.
In this post, we’re running through a list of mythical creatures and giving you a couple of literary examples to help you begin your hunt for these wonderful, fantastical beings. First up, let's look at the creatures who look human (but most definitely are not). Have you ever wondered which mythical creature would be your animal sidekick?
Jun 29, 2021 · Cultures are shaped by their stories, and myth and legend are a prime example. Check out this post to learn how to build myth and legend into fantasy.
