Mythical creatures that humanity still remembers
Myths and legends, any oral or written traditions tend to disappear over time and be erased from human memory.
This fate befell many characters, both good and bad. Some images were modified under the influence of religion or the peculiarities of the folklore of nations that gradually assimilated the indigenous people who gave rise to such a fantasy.
Others remained in the memory of mankind and even became a kind of “trademark”, a hot topic for books, films and computer games.
A mythical creature does not necessarily have features exaggerated by human imagination. Monsters can be of a completely natural appearance, be it an animal, a demigod, or an evil spirit taking the form of a human.
They all have one thing in common - an attempt ancient man explain natural phenomena, catastrophes and misfortunes due to the intervention of an extraterrestrial force, cruel and indifferent.
However, sometimes mythical animals, characters and images begin to live on their own. Once told, a legend is passed on from person to person, acquiring details and new facts.
What they all have in common is a terrible disposition, fear of losing accumulated wealth and an extremely long life span.
The character of such a creature is peculiar. Most of the dragons are wise, but hot-tempered, cruel and proud.
The hero often speculates on the lizard's attitude towards himself in order to later kill him through deception and cunning and take possession of the dragon's untold riches.
Later, many variations of the original image appeared. Thanks to John Tolkien, Robert Salvatore and many other authors of the fantasy genre, dragons were divided by color and even acquired a direct “kinship” with the original forces.
Terrors in the night, a reflection on the fangs of a vampire
A monster capable of drinking the blood of a person or subjugating him to his will. This evil spirits should be considered as an extremely harmful and cruel creature.
The villagers mercilessly drive an aspen stake into the next corpse, the carpenter famously chops off a cervical vertebra with an ax, and the next “vampire” goes to the Underworld.
Before Bram Stoker's novel was published, vampires were not given anthropomorphic features. So, for example, a blood-sucking creature from South America looks like a mixture hellhound with all sorts of monsters.
In the Philippines, a vampire is even depicted as a winged torso with a proboscis similar to that of a mosquito.
Thus, the monster “drinks” a person, taking away his youth, beauty and strength.
Ancient people were not so scrupulous and believed that it was enough for a creature to cut off its head, or cut out its heart.
Personal transport for every virgin
Not every mythical creature is terrible in nature, because darkness cannot exist without light, however, just like vice versa.
Mythical animals quite often act as guides for the protagonist, helping him with both advice and deeds.
The messenger of the primordial light, at least according to most legends, is. This creature is pure by nature, aggression and violence are alien to it, so these animals are not left in modern world.
The most remarkable fact is that the unicorn has a strange “connection” with the virgin, feels her and always comes to the call.
Interesting fact, the harsh northern peoples of Rus' have their own unicorn, huge and “callous”.
Does it sound satirical? And yet they describe it exactly like that. Unlike the shiny and light creature, Indrik belongs to the spirits of mother earth, and therefore looks the part.
The huge “earth mouse” is not attracted to virgins, but it can also come to the aid of a soul lost in the mountains.
We don’t know what - chimeras
The last chords of life - siren
Despite the fact that a siren and a mermaid are different concepts, they have a lot in common, which ultimately led to a conditional juggling of names and a little confusion.
However, this is acceptable. In Greek mythology, the Sirens are the nymphs of Persephone, who lost the will to live with their mistress when she went to Hades.
With their singing, they lured sailors to the island, where they devoured their bodies, out of longing for their patroness.
Odysseus almost fell into their net, and he even ordered his comrades to tie themselves up so as not to become prey to carnivorous fish women.
Later, the image migrated to the mythology of Europe and even became a kind of common noun personifying the temptation of the deep sea for a sailor.
There have been theories that mermaids are actually manatees, which may resemble fish with anthropomorphic features, but the image itself remains relevant to this day.
Witnesses of the past - Bigfoot, Yeti and Bigfoot
Unlike other characters, these creatures are still found throughout the world.
Regardless of their veracity, the very fact of such finds is living proof that the images not only still exist, but also remain relevant.
What they have in common is their similarity with various stages of the evolutionary cycle of human development.
They are huge, have a thick coat of wool, are fast and strong. Despite their meager intelligence, the creatures continue to stubbornly avoid all the ingenious traps created by various kinds of hunters for mystical secrets.
Mythical animals remain an extremely relevant topic, in demand not only by art workers, but also by historians.
The epic had a huge influence on the development of humanity and the skepticism with which a modern resident of a metropolis treats such mysteries is dictated precisely by mythology and its “domestication” of the forces of nature.
Throughout history, people have created countless tales of mythical creatures, legendary monsters, and supernatural beasts. Despite their unclear origins, these mythical creatures are described in the folklore of various peoples and in many cases are part of the culture. It's amazing that there are people all over the world who are still convinced that these monsters exist, despite the lack of any meaningful evidence. So today we will look at a list of 25 legendary and mythical creatures that never existed.
Budak is present in many Czech fairy tales and legends. This monster is usually described as a creepy creature, reminiscent of a scarecrow. It can cry like an innocent child, thus luring its victims. On the night of the full moon, Budak allegedly weaves fabric from the souls of those people whom he killed. Budak is sometimes described as an evil version of Father Christmas who travels on Christmas Day in a cart pulled by black cats.
24. Ghoul
The ghoul is one of the most famous creatures in Arabian folklore and appears in the collection of tales One Thousand and One Nights. The ghoul is described as an undead creature that can also take the form of an immaterial spirit. He often visits cemeteries to eat the flesh of recently deceased people. This is probably main reason, why the word ghoul in Arab countries is often used when referring to gravediggers or representatives of any profession directly related to death.
23. Yorogumo.
Loosely translated from Japanese, Yorogumo means “seductress spider,” and in our humble opinion, the name perfectly describes this monster. According to Japanese folklore, Yorogumo was a bloodthirsty monster. But in most tales it is described as a huge spider that takes the form of a very attractive and sexy woman who seduces its male victims, captures them in a web and then happily devours them.
22. Cerberus.
In Greek mythology, Cerberus is the guardian of Hades and is usually described as a bizarre-looking monster that looks like a dog with three heads and a tail whose end is the head of a dragon. Cerberus was born from the union of two monsters, the giant Typhon and Echidna, and is himself the brother of the Lernaean Hydra. Cerberus is often described in myth as one of the most loyal guards in history and is often mentioned in Homer's epic.
21. Kraken
The legend of the Kraken came from the Northern Seas and its presence was initially limited to the shores of Norway and Iceland. Over time, however, its fame grew, thanks to the wild imagination of storytellers, which led subsequent generations to believe that it also lives in all the seas of the world.
Norwegian fishermen initially described the sea monster as a gigantic animal that was as large as an island and posed a danger to passing ships not from direct attack, but from giant waves and tsunamis caused by the movements of its body. However, later people began to spread stories about the monster's violent attacks on ships. Modern historians believe that the Kraken was nothing more than a giant squid and the rest of the stories are nothing more than the wild imagination of sailors.
20. Minotaur
The Minotaur is one of the first epic creatures we meet in human history, and takes us back to the heyday of the Minoan civilization. The Minotaur had the head of a bull on the body of a very large, muscular man and settled in the center of the Cretan labyrinth, which was built by Daedalus and his son Icarus at the request of King Minos. Anyone who entered the labyrinth became a victim of the Minotaur. The exception was the Athenian king Theseus, who killed the beast and came out of the labyrinth alive with the help of the thread of Ariadne, the daughter of Minos.
If Theseus were hunting the Minotaur these days, then a rifle with a collimator sight would be very useful to him, a huge and high-quality selection of which is on the portal http://www.meteomaster.com.ua/meteoitems_R473/.
19. Wendigo
Those familiar with psychology have probably heard the term “Wendigo psychopathy,” which describes the psychosis that compels a person to eat human flesh. The medical term takes its name from a mythical creature called the Wendigo, which, according to the myths of the Algonquin Indians. The Wendigo was an evil creature that looked like a cross between a human and a monster, something similar to a zombie. According to legend, only people who ate human flesh were able to become Wendigos themselves.
Of course, this creature never existed and was invented by Algonquin elders who were trying to stop people from engaging in cannibalism.
In ancient Japanese folklore, Kappa is a water demon who lives in rivers and lakes and devours naughty children. Kappa means "child of the river" in Japanese and has the body of a turtle, the limbs of a frog, and a head with a beak. In addition, there is a cavity with water on the top of the head. According to legend, Kappa's head must always be kept moist, otherwise he will lose his strength. Oddly enough, many Japanese consider the existence of Kappa to be a reality. Some lakes in Japan have posters and signs warning visitors that there is a serious risk of being attacked by this creature.
Greek mythology gave the world some of its most epic heroes, gods, and creatures, and Talos is one of them. A huge bronze giant supposedly lived in Crete, where he protected a woman named Europa (from whom the European continent took its name) from pirates and invaders. For this reason, Talos patrolled the shores of the island three times a day.
16. Menehune.
According to legend, the Menehune were an ancient race of gnomes who lived in the forests of Hawaii before the arrival of the Polynesians. Many scientists explain the existence of ancient statues on the Hawaiian Islands due to the presence of Menehune here. Others argue that the legends of the Menehune began with the arrival of Europeans in these areas and were created by human imagination. The myth goes back to the roots of Polynesian history. When the first Polynesians arrived in Hawaii, they found dams, roads, and even temples that had been built by the Menehune.
However, no one found the skeletons. Therefore, it still remains a big mystery what kind of race built all these amazing ancient structures in Hawaii before the arrival of the Polynesians.
15. Griffin.
The griffin was a legendary creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body and tail of a lion. The griffin is the king of the animal kingdom, a symbol of power and dominance. Griffins can be found in many depictions of Minoan Crete and later in art and mythology Ancient Greece. However, some believe that the creature symbolizes the fight against evil and witchcraft.
14. Medusa
According to one version, Medusa was a beautiful maiden destined for the goddess Athena, who was raped by Poseidon. Athena, furious that she could not confront Poseidon directly, turned Medusa into an unsightly, evil monster with a head full of snakes for hair. Medusa's ugliness was so disgusting that anyone who looked at her face turned to stone. Perseus eventually killed Medusa with the help of Athena.
Pihiu is another legendary monster hybrid native to China. Even though no part of its body resembled human organs, the mythological creature is often described as having the body of a lion with wings, long legs and the head of a Chinese dragon. Pihiu is considered the guardian and protector of those who practice Feng Shui. Another version of the pihiu, the Tian Lu, is also sometimes considered a sacred being that attracts and protects wealth. This is the reason why small statues of Tian Lu are often seen in Chinese homes or offices, as it is believed that this creature can help accumulate wealth.
12. Sukuyant
The soucouillant, according to Caribbean legends (especially in the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Guadeloupe), is an exotic black version of the European vampire. By word of mouth, from generation to generation, Sukuyant has become part of local folklore. He is described as a hideous-looking old woman by day, who at night transforms into a magnificent-looking young black woman resembling a goddess. She seduces her victims in order to later suck their blood or make them her eternal slaves. She was also believed to practice black magic and voodoo, and could transform herself into ball lightning or enter the homes of her victims through any opening in the house, including cracks and keyholes.
11. Lamassu.
According to the mythology and legends of Mesopotamia, Lamassu was a protective deity, depicted with the body and wings of a bull, or with the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle and the head of a man. Some described him as a menacing-looking man, while others described him as a female deity with good intentions.
10. Tarasca
The tale of the Tarasca is reported in the history of Martha, which is included in Jacob's biography of the Christian saints. Tarasca was a dragon with a very scary appearance and bad intentions. According to legend, it had the head of a lion, six short legs like a bear, the body of a bull, was covered with the shell of a turtle and a scaly tail that ended with a scorpion sting. Tarasca terrorized the Nerluc region of France.
It all ended when a young devoted Christian named Martha arrived in the city to spread the gospel of Jesus and discovered that the people had been afraid of a fierce dragon for years. Then he found the dragon in the forest and sprinkled it with holy water. This action tamed the wild nature of the dragon. After this, Martha led the dragon back to the city of Nerluk, where the enraged locals stoned Tarascus to death.
On November 25, 2005, UNESCO included Tarasca in the list of masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.
9. Draugr.
The draugr, according to Scandinavian folklore and mythology, is a zombie that emits a surprisingly powerful putrid odor of the dead. It was believed that the Draugr eats people, drinks blood, and has power over the minds of people, driving them crazy at will. A typical Draugr was somewhat similar to Freddy Krueger, who, apparently, was created under the influence of fairy tales about the Scandinavian monster.
8. Lernaean Hydra.
The Lernaean Hydra was a mythical water monster with many heads that resembled large snakes. A ferocious monster lived in Lerna, a small village near Argos. According to legend, Hercules decided to kill the Hydra and when he cut off one head, two appeared. For this reason, Hercules' nephew Iolaus burned each head as soon as his uncle cut it off, only then did they stop reproducing.
7. Broxa.
According to Jewish legend, the Broxa is an aggressive monster, like a giant bird, that would attack goats or, in rare cases, drink human blood at night. The legend of Broxa spread in the Middle Ages in Europe, where it was believed that witches took the form of Broxa.
6. Baba Yaga
Baba Yaga is perhaps one of the most popular paranormal creatures in the folklore of the Eastern Slavs and, according to legend, had the appearance of a fierce and scary old woman. However, Baba Yaga is a multifaceted figure capable of inspiring researchers, capable of turning into a cloud, snake, bird, black cat and symbolizing the Moon, death, winter or the Goddess of Mother Earth, the totemic ancestor of matriarchy.
Antaeus was a giant with enormous strength, which he inherited from his father, Poseidon (god of the sea), and mother Gaia (Earth). He was a hooligan who lived in the Libyan Desert and challenged any traveler in his lands to a fight. After defeating the stranger in a deadly wrestling match, he killed him. He collected the skulls of the people he defeated in order to one day build a temple dedicated to Poseidon from these “trophies.”
But one day one of the passersby turned out to be Hercules, who was making his way to the Garden of the Hesperides to complete his eleventh labor. Antaeus made a fatal mistake by challenging Hercules. The hero lifted Antaeus off the ground and crushed him in a bear hug.
4. Dullahan.
The fierce and powerful Dullahan is a headless horseman in Irish folklore and mythology. For centuries, the Irish described him as a harbinger of doom who traveled on a black, terrifying-looking horse.
According to Japanese legend, Kodama is a peaceful spirit that lives inside certain types of trees. Kodama is described as a small, white and peaceful ghost that is perfectly in sync with nature. However, according to legend, when someone tries to cut down the tree where Kodama lives, bad things and a series of misfortunes begin to happen to him.
2. Corrigan
The strange creatures called Corrigan come from Brittany, a cultural region in northwestern France with a very rich literary tradition and folklore. Some say Corrigan was a beautiful, good fairy, while other sources describe him as evil spirit, who looked like a dwarf and danced around the fountains. He seduced people with his charm to kill them or steal their children.
1. Fish-man Lyrgans.
The fish-man Lyrgans existed in the mythology of Cantabria, an autonomous community located in northern Spain.
According to legend, this is an amphibious creature that looks like a sullen man who was lost at sea. Many people believe that the fish-man was one of the four sons of Francisco de la Vega and Maria del Casar, a couple who lived in the area. It was believed that they drowned in the waters of the sea while swimming with their friends at the mouth of Bilbao.
There are a huge number of myths in the world in which various creatures play an important role. They do not have scientific confirmation, but new reports regularly appear that entities that do not look like ordinary animals and people have been spotted in different parts of the world.
Mythical creatures of the peoples of the world
There are a huge number of legends that tell about mythical monsters, animals and mysterious entities. Some of them have common features with real animals and even people, while others personify the fears of people living in different times. Every continent has legends that involve unique mythical animals and creatures associated with local folklore.
Slavic mythical creatures
Legends that arose during the times of the ancient Slavs are familiar to many, since they formed the basis different fairy tales. The creatures of Slavic mythology hide important signs of that time. Many of them were held in high esteem by our ancestors.
Mythical creatures of ancient Greece
The most famous and interesting are the myths of Ancient Greece, which are filled with gods, various heroes and entities, both good and bad. Many Greek mythical creatures have become characters in various modern stories.
Mythical animals in Scandinavian mythology
The mythology of the ancient Scandinavians is part of ancient Germanic history. Many entities stand out for their enormous size and bloodthirstiness. The most famous mythical animals:
English mythical creatures
Various entities that, according to legends, lived in England in ancient times are among the most famous in the modern world. They became heroes of various cartoons and films.
Mythical creatures of Japan
Asian countries are unique, even if we consider their mythology. This is due to geographical location, unpredictable elements and national color. The ancient mythical creatures of Japan are unique.
Mythical creatures of South America
This territory is a mixture of ancient Indian traditions, Spanish and Portuguese culture. Over the years they have lived here different people who prayed to their gods and told stories. The most famous creatures from myths and legends in South America:
Mythical creatures of Africa
Considering the presence of a large number of nationalities living on the territory of this continent, it is understandable that the legends telling about the entities can be listed for a long time. Good mythical creatures are little known in Africa.
Mythical creatures from the Bible
While reading the main holy book, one may encounter different entities that are unknown. Some of them are similar to dinosaurs and mammoths.
Are you familiar with Greek mythology? This list will help you test your knowledge or even enrich it. It was not without reason that the legendary creatures from ancient Greek folklore became famous throughout the world, because they had simply extraordinary qualities. These mythical monsters- some of the most bizarre, scary and incredible creatures, among which there are not only amazing animals, but also the strangest humanoids you can imagine. Are you ready for an educational program?
25. Python or Python
Usually depicted as a serpent guarding the entrance to the Delphic Oracle. According to legend, the cruel Python was killed by Apollo himself, one of the famous Olympian gods. After death the snake is in place Delphic Oracle Apollo founded his own oracle.
24. Orff, Orth, Ortr, Orthros, Orfre
Photo: wikimedia commons
A two-headed dog whose task was to guard a huge herd of magical red bulls. Killed this monster greek hero Hercules, who took the entire herd for himself as proof of his victory over Orff. According to rumors, Orff was the father of several other monsters, including the Sphinx and the Chimera, and his brother was the legendary Cerberus.
23. Ichthyocentaurs
Photo: Dr Murali Mohan Gurram
These were sea gods, centaurs-tritons, whose upper body looked like a human, the lower pair of limbs were like a horse, and behind them was a fish tail. They were often depicted next to Aphrodite during her birth. Perhaps you could also meet these ichthyocentaurs in paintings dedicated to the zodiac constellation Pisces.
22. Skilla
Photo: wikimedia commons
The six-headed Skilla was a sea monster that lived on one side of a narrow strait under a rock, while on the other side the no less dangerous Charybdis awaited the sailors (13th point). The distance between the shores of this narrow strait and the shelters of evil mythical creatures was equal to the flight of a launched arrow, so travelers very often sailed too close to one of the monsters and died.
21. Typhon
Photo: wikimedia commons
Typhon was the personification of the volcanic forces of the Earth and at the same time was considered the most deadly demon in all of Greece. His upper body was human, and this character was so huge that he supported the starry sky, and his arms reached to the eastern and western ends of the world. Instead of an ordinary human head, a hundred dragon heads erupted from Typhon's neck and shoulders.
20. Ophiotaurus
Photo: shutterstock
Ophiotaurus was another Greek hybrid monster that was more feared than death. According to legend, the killing and ritual burning of the entrails of this half-bull, half-snake gave strength with which one could defeat any gods. For the same reason, the Titans killed the monster in order to overthrow the Olympian gods, but Zeus managed to send the Eagle to peck the offal of the defeated creature before they were burned on the altar, and Olympus was saved.
19. Lamia
Photo: wikimedia commons
They say that Lamia was once a beautiful ruler of the Libyan kingdom, but later became a cruel child eater and a most dangerous demon. According to the myth, Zeus fell in love with the charming Lamia so much that his wife Hera, out of jealousy, killed all the children of Lamia (except for the cursed Skilla) and transformed the Libyan queen into a monster who hunts other people’s children.
18. Graia or Forkiades
Photo: wikimedia commons
The Grays were three sisters who shared one eye and one tooth. It is not surprising that they were famous not for their beauty at all, but rather for their gray hair and ugliness, instilling fear in everyone. In addition, their names were very eloquent: Deino (trembling or death), Enyo (terror) and Pemphredo (anxiety).
17. Echidna
Photo: shutterstock
Half woman, half snake. The echidna was called the mother of all monsters, since most monsters are from ancient greek myths were considered her offspring. According to legend, Echidna and Typhon passionately loved each other, and it was their union that gave birth to many insidious creatures. The Greeks believed that it produced a poison that caused madness.
16. Nemean Lion
Photo: Yelkrokoyade
The Nemean Lion was a vicious monster that lived in the Nemea region. As a result, he was killed by the famous ancient Greek hero Hercules. It was impossible to kill this mythical creature with a simple weapon because of its extraordinary golden fur, which was impossible to pierce with ordinary swords, arrows or stakes, and therefore Hercules had to strangle the Nemean Lion with bare hands. The strongman managed to tear the skin off the beast only with the help of the claws and teeth of the defeated lion itself.
15. Sphinx
Photo: Tilemahos Efthimiadis / Athens, Greece
The Sphinx was a zoomorphic creature with the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle, the tail of a bull and the head of a woman. According to legend, this character was a ruthless and treacherous monster. Those who could not solve the riddles, according to the tradition of all myths, died a painful death in the mouth of the furious Sphinx. The monster itself died only after the brave King Oedipus solved its riddle.
14. Erinyes
Photo: wikimedia commons
Erinia is translated from Greek as “wrathful.” These were avenging goddesses. According to legend, they punished anyone who uttered false oaths, committed any atrocity, or spoke anything against one of the gods.
13. Charybdis
Photo: shutterstock
The daughter of Poseidon and Gaia, Charybdis was a huge sea monster with a mouth all over her face and fins or flippers instead of arms and legs. Three times a day, she absorbed huge amounts of sea water and then spat it back, thus creating powerful whirlpools that easily sucked in large ships. It was she who was the neighbor of the deadly Skilla from 22 points.
12. Harpies
Photo: shutterstock
These were creatures with the bodies of birds and women's faces. They stole food from innocent victims and sent sinners straight to the vengeful Erinyes (point 14). Harpy is translated as “kidnapper” or “predator”. Zeus often turned to them so that these creatures would punish or torture someone.
11. Satires
Photo: shutterstock
Satyrs are often depicted as human-goat hybrids. They usually have goat horns and hind legs. Satyrs loved to drink, play the flute, and served the god of wine, Dionysus. These forest demons were true lazy people and led the most careless and unbridled lifestyle.
10. Sirens
Photo: shutterstock
Beautiful and very dangerous mythical characters. These fatal goddesses with fish tails lured sailors with their sweet voices, and because of their spell, ships more than once flew into rocks and crashed off the coast. These creatures tore the drowning travelers into pieces and ate them.
9. Griffin
Photo: shutterstock
The griffin is a mythical creature with the body, tail and hind legs of a lion, and its head, wings and claws on its front legs were those of an eagle. The lion was traditionally considered the king of all land monsters, and the eagle was the king of all birds, therefore ancient greek mythology The griffin was an incredibly powerful and majestic character.
8. Chimera
Photo: wikimedia commons
The chimera was a fire-breathing monster whose body consisted of 3 different animals: a lion, a snake and a goat. The monster was from Lycia ( ancient state Asia Minor). Most often, a chimera was any mythical or fictional creature with body parts from different animals. IN figuratively The chimera is considered to be the personification of any unfulfilled desire or fantasy.
7. Cerberus
Photo: wikimedia commons
Cerberus is one of the most famous characters ancient Greek mythology. According to legend, it was a three-headed dog with a snake tail that guarded the gates to the Underworld. No one who crossed the River Styx could escape from the afterlife, and this was strictly monitored by the ferocious Cerberus, until one day Hercules defeated him.
6. Cyclops
Photo: Odilon Redon
The Cyclopes were a distinct race of one-eyed giants. But these creatures were cruel and ferocious monsters who were not afraid even of the gods, but at the same time they served the god of fire and blacksmithing, Hephaestus.
5. Hydra
Photo: shutterstock
The Hydra was an ancient sea monster that resembled a huge serpent with reptilian features, with countless heads growing from its body. Instead of one severed head, she always grew 2 new heads. The hydra had poisonous breath, and even its blood was so dangerous that the slightest contact with it was fatal.
4. Gorgons
Photo: shutterstock
Probably the most famous of all the ancient Greek gorgons was Medusa. She was also the only mortal gorgon among her evil sisters. Medusa had snakes instead of hair, and one glance from her was enough to turn a person to stone. According to legend, Perseus managed to behead her, armed with a mirror instead of a shield.
3. Minotaur
Photo: shutterstock
The Minotaur was a mythical creature with the head of a bull and the body of a man who ate innocent people. He lived in the Knossos labyrinth, built by the ancient Greek engineer and artist Daedalus and his son Icarus. The monster was eventually defeated by an Attic hero named Theseus.
2. Centaur
Photo: shutterstock
The centaur was a fairy-tale creature with the head, arms and torso of a man, and below the waist he resembled an ordinary horse. Chiron was considered one of the most famous centaurs in Greek mythology. Most centaurs were violent and hostile creatures who loved to drink and worshiped only the god of wine, Dionysus. However, Chiron was a wise and kind creature and even a mentor to such ancient Greek heroes as Hercules and Achilles.
1. Pegasus
Photo: shutterstock
This is one of the most famous mythical creatures of the ancient world. The Greeks believed that Pegasus was a divine stallion of snow-white color, and that he had huge wings. According to legend, Pegasus was the child of Poseidon and the gorgon Medusa. According to one legend, every time this fabulous horse hit the ground with its hoof, a new source of water was born.
Almost each of us has heard about one or another magical and mythical creatures that inhabit our world. However, there are many more such creatures, the existence of which we know little or do not remember. Many magical entities are mentioned in mythology and folklore, some described in more detail, others less so.
Homunculus, according to the ideas of medieval alchemists, a creature similar to a small person that can be obtained artificially (in a test tube). To create such a man, the use of a mandrake was required. The root had to be picked at dawn, then it had to be washed and “soaked” with milk and honey. Some instructions stated that blood should be used instead of milk. After which this root will fully develop into a miniature man who will be able to guard and protect its owner.
Brownie- y Slavic peoples house spirit, mythological owner and patron of the house, providing normal life families, fertility, health of people and animals. They try to feed the brownie, leaving him a separate saucer on the kitchen floor with treats and water (or milk). If the brownie loves the owner or mistress, he not only does not harm them, but also protects the well-being of the home. Otherwise (which happens more often), he begins to do mischief, breaks and hides things, attacks light bulbs in the bathroom, and creates incomprehensible noise. It can “strangle” its owner at night by sitting on the owner’s chest and paralyzing him. A brownie can change appearance and chase its owner when moving.
Babai in Slavic folklore - a night spirit, a creature mentioned by parents to intimidate naughty children. Babai does not have a specific description, but most often he was represented as a lame old man with a sack on his shoulders, into which he takes naughty children. Parents usually remembered Babai when their child did not want to fall asleep.
Nephilim (observers - “sons of God”) described in the book of Enoch. They are fallen angels. The Niphilim were physical beings, they taught people forbidden arts and, taking human wives as wives, gave birth to a new generation of people. In the Torah and several non-canonical Jewish and early Christian writings, nephilim means "who cause others to fall." The Nephilim were gigantic in stature, their strength was enormous, as was their appetite. They started eating everything human resources, and when they ran out, they could attack people. The Nephilim began to fight and oppress people, which caused enormous destruction on earth.
Abaasy- in the folklore of the Yakut peoples, a huge stone monster with iron teeth. Lives in the thicket of the forest away from human eyes or underground. It is born from a black stone, similar to a child. The older he gets, the more the stone looks like a child. At first, the stone child eats everything that people eat, but when he grows up, he begins to eat the people themselves. Sometimes referred to as anthropomorphic, one-eyed, one-armed, tree-sized, one-legged monsters. Abaas feed on the souls of people and animals, tempt people, send misfortunes and illnesses, and can deprive people of their minds. Often the relatives of the sick or deceased sacrificed an animal to Abaasy, as if exchanging its soul for the soul of the person they were threatening.
Abraxas— Abrasax is the name of a cosmological being in the ideas of the Gnostics. In the early era of Christianity, in the 1st-2nd centuries, many heretical sects arose, trying to combine the new religion with paganism and Judaism. According to the teachings of one of them, everything that exists originates in a certain higher Kingdom of light, from which 365 categories of spirits emanate. At the head of the spirits is Abraxas. His name and image are often found on gems and amulets: a creature with a human body and a rooster’s head, and instead of legs there are two snakes. Abraxas holds a sword and shield in his hands.
Baavan shi- in Scottish folklore, evil, bloodthirsty fairies. If a raven flew up to a person and suddenly turned into a golden-haired beauty in a long green dress, it means that in front of him is a baavan shi. It is not for nothing that they wear long dresses, hiding under them the deer hooves that the baavan shi has instead of feet. These fairies lure men into their homes and drink their blood.
Baku- “Dream Eater” in Japanese mythology is a good spirit that eats bad dreams. You can call him by writing his name on a piece of paper and putting it under your pillow. At one time, images of Baku hung in Japanese homes, and his name was written on pillows. They believed that if Baku was forced to eat a bad dream, then he had the power to turn the dream into a good one.
There are stories where Baku does not look very kind. By eating all dreams and dreams, it deprived the sleeping people of beneficial effects, or even completely deprived them of sleep.
Kikimora- a character in Slavic-Ugric mythology, as well as one of the types of brownie, causing harm, damage and minor troubles to households and people. Kikimoras, as a rule, settle in premises if a child has died in the house. Kikimoras can appear in the form of an abandoned one on the way of the escaping child. The swamp or forest kikimora was accused of kidnapping children, leaving behind an enchanted log in their place. Her presence in the house could be easily determined by her wet footprints. A caught kikimora could be turned into a human.
Basilisk- a monster with the head of a rooster, the eyes of a toad, the wings of a bat and the body of a dragon that exists in the mythologies of many peoples. His gaze turns all living things to stone. According to legend, if the Basilisk sees its reflection in the mirror, it will die. The Basilisk's habitat is caves, which are also its source of food, since the Basilisk only eats stones. He can only leave his shelter at night because he cannot stand the crowing of a rooster. And he is also afraid of unicorns because they are too “pure” animals.
Baggain- in the folklore of the Isle of Man, a malicious werewolf. He hates people and harasses them in every possible way. Baggain can grow to gigantic sizes and take on any form. It can pretend to be human, but if you look closely, you will notice pointed ears and horse hooves, which will still give away the baggain.
Alkonost (alkonst)- in Russian art and legends, a bird of paradise with the head of a maiden. Often mentioned and depicted together with another bird of paradise, Sirin. The image of Alkonost goes back to the Greek myth about the girl Alcyone, who was transformed by the gods into a kingfisher. The earliest image of Alkonost is found in book miniature XII century. Alkonst is a safe and rare creature living closer to the sea. According to folk legend, in the morning on Apple Savior the bird Sirin flies into the apple orchard, which is sad and cries. And in the afternoon the bird Alkonost flies into the apple orchard, rejoicing and laughing. The bird brushes living dew from its wings and the fruits are transformed, amazing power- all the fruits on the apple trees from this moment become healing
Water- master of waters in Slavic mythology. Mermen graze their cows - catfish, carp, bream and other fish - at the bottom of rivers and lakes. Commands mermaids, undines, drowned people, and aquatic inhabitants. Most often he is kind, but sometimes he drags some unwary person to the bottom so that he entertains him. It often lives in pools and likes to settle under a water mill.
Abnauay- in Abkhazian mythology (“forest man”). A gigantic, ferocious creature, distinguished by its extraordinary physical strength and rage. Abnauayu's entire body is covered with long hair, similar to bristles, and he has huge claws; eyes and nose - like people's. Lives in deep forests(there was a belief that in every forest gorge there lived one Abnauayu). A meeting with Abnauayu is dangerous; an adult Abnauayu has an axe-shaped steel protrusion on his chest: pressing the victim to his chest, he cuts it in half. Abnauayu knows in advance the name of the hunter or shepherd he will meet.
Cerberus (Spirit of the Underworld)- in Greek mythology, a huge dog of the Underworld, guarding the entrance to the afterlife. So that the souls of the dead could enter underground kingdom, they must bring gifts to Cerberus - honey and barley cookies. Cerberus' task is to prevent living people from entering the kingdom of the dead who want to rescue their loved ones from there. One of the few living people who managed to penetrate the underworld and emerge unharmed was Orpheus, who played beautiful music on the lyre. One of the labors of Hercules that the gods ordered him to perform was to lead Cerberus to the city of Tiryns.
Griffin- winged monsters with a lion's body and an eagle's head, guardians of gold in various mythologies. Griffins, vultures, in Greek mythology, monstrous birds with an eagle's beak and the body of a lion; They. - “dogs of Zeus” - guard gold in the country of the Hyperboreans, protecting it from the one-eyed Arimaspians (Aeschyl. Prom. 803 next). Among the fabulous inhabitants of the north - the Issedons, Arimaspians, Hyperboreans, Herodotus also mentions the Griffins (Herodot. IV 13).
Slavic mythology also has its own griffins. In particular, it is known that they guard the treasures of the Riphean Mountains.
Gaki. in Japanese mythology - eternally hungry demons. Those who, while living on Earth, overeat or threw away completely edible food are reborn into them. The gaki's hunger is insatiable, but they cannot die from it. They eat anything, even their children, but they cannot get enough. Sometimes they end up in the Human World, and then they become cannibals.
Vouivre, Vouivra. France. King or queen of snakes; in the forehead there is a sparkling stone, a bright red ruby; the appearance of a fiery serpent; keeper of underground treasures; can be seen flying across the sky on summer nights; dwellings - abandoned castles, fortresses, donjons, etc.; his images are in the sculptural compositions of Romanesque monuments; when swimming, he leaves the stone on the shore, and whoever manages to take possession of the ruby will become fabulously rich - he will receive part of the underground treasures guarded by the snake.
Dressing- a Bulgarian vampire who eats dung and carrion because he is too much of a coward to attack people. It has bad character, which is not surprising with such nutrition.
Ayami, in Tungus-Manchu mythology (among the Nanais) the ancestral spirits of shamans. Each shaman has his own Ayami, he instructed, indicated what costume the shaman (shaman) should have, how to heal. Ayami appeared to the shaman in a dream in the form of a woman (to the shaman - in the form of a man), as well as a wolf, tiger and other animals, and inhabited the shamans during prayers. Ayami could also be possessed by spirits - the owners of various animals, and they sent Ayami to steal the souls of people and cause them illnesses.
Duboviki- in Celtic mythology, evil magical creatures living in the crowns and trunks of oak trees.
They offer delicious food and gifts to every person passing by their home.
Under no circumstances should you take food from them, much less taste it, since food prepared by oak trees is very poisonous. At night, oaks often go in search of prey.
You should know that walking past a recently felled oak tree is especially dangerous: the oak trees that lived in it are angry and can cause a lot of trouble.
Damn (in the old spelling “devil”)- an evil, playful and lustful spirit in Slavic mythology. In the book tradition, according to the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, the word devil is a synonym for the concept of demon. The devil is social and most often goes hunting with groups of devils. The devil is attracted to people who drink. When the devil finds such a person, he tries to do everything to make the person drink even more, leading him to a state of complete madness. The very process of their materialization, popularly known as “getting drunk as hell,” is described colorfully and in detail in one of Vladimir Nabokov’s stories. “Through long, persistent, lonely drunkenness,” the famous prose writer reported, “I brought myself to the most vulgar visions, namely: I began to see devils.” If a person stops drinking, the devil begins to waste away without receiving the expected nourishment.
Vampal, in the mythology of the Ingush and Chechens, a huge shaggy monster with supernatural strength: sometimes Vampala has several heads. Vampalas come in both male and female genders. In fairy tales Vampal - positive character, distinguished by nobility and helping heroes in their battles.
Gianas- in Italian folklore there are mainly women's perfumes. Tall and beautiful, they lived in forests and did handicrafts. They could also predict the future and knew where treasures were hidden. Despite their beauty, the Gianas, the majority of whom were women, had difficulty finding a mate. There were very few Gyan men; dwarfs were not suitable for husbands, and giants were real rude people. Therefore, the Gyans could only do their work and sing sad songs.
Yrka in Slavic mythology- an evil night spirit with eyes on a dark face, glowing like a cat’s, is especially dangerous on the night of Ivan Kupala and only in the field, because goblins do not let him into the forest. He becomes a suicide. It attacks lonely travelers and drinks their blood. Ukrut, his assistant, brings him naughty creatures in a bag, from whom Yrka drank the life. He is very afraid of fire and does not go near fire. To save yourself from it, you cannot look around, even if they call you in a familiar voice, do not answer anything, say “mind me” three times or read the “Our Father” prayer.
Div— Demonic character of East Slavic mythology. Mentioned in medieval teachings against pagans. There are echoes of the latter meaning in the episodes of “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign,” where the expression “the marvels fell upon the earth” is perceived as a harbinger of misfortune. Div turned people away from dangerous deeds by appearing in the form of something unseen. Seeing him and being surprised, people forgot about the unrighteous deed they wanted to commit. The Poles called him eziznik (“There is a znik”, there is and is gone), that is, a god-vision.
Ayustal, in Abkhaz mythology the devil; harms people and animals. According to beliefs, if Ayustal inhabits a person, he gets sick and sometimes dies in agony. When a person suffers greatly before death, they say that Ayustal has taken possession of him, but often a person defeats Ayustal by cunning.
Sulde "life force", in the mythology of the Mongolian peoples, one of the souls of a person, with which his vital and spiritual force is connected. The ruler's sulde is the guardian spirit of the people; its material embodiment is the ruler’s banner, which in itself becomes an object of cult and is protected by the ruler’s subjects. During wars, human sacrifices were made to the Sulda Banners to raise the morale of the army. The Suldi banners of Genghis Khan and some other khans were especially revered. The character of the shamanic pantheon of the Mongols, Sulde Tengri, the patron saint of people, is apparently related genetically to Genghis Khan’s Sulde.
Shikome in Japanese mythology, a warlike race of creatures vaguely similar to European goblins. Bloodthirsty sadists, slightly taller than humans and much stronger, with developed muscles. Sharp teeth and burning eyes. They do nothing else but wars. They often set up ambushes in the mountains.
Buka - scarecrow. A small evil creature that lives in the closet of a child's room or under the bed. Only children see him, and children suffer from him, since Buka loves to attack them at night - grab them by the legs and drag them under the bed or into the closet (his lair). He is afraid of the light, from which even the faith of adults can perish. He is afraid that adults will believe in him.
Beregini in Slavic mythology, spirits in the guise of women with tails, living along the banks of rivers. Mentioned in ancient Russian historical and literary monuments. They protect people from evil spirits, predict the future, and also save small children left unattended and falling into the water.
Anzud- in Sumerian-Akkadian mythology, a divine bird, an eagle with a lion's head. Anzud is a mediator between gods and people, simultaneously embodying good and evil principles. When the god Enlil took off his insignia while washing himself, Anzud stole the tablets of fate and flew off to the mountains with them. Anzud wanted to become more powerful than all the gods, but by his action he violated the course of things and divine laws. The god of war Ninurta set off after the bird. He shot Anzud with a bow, but Enlil's tablets healed the wound. Ninurta managed to hit the bird only on the second attempt or even on the third attempt (in different versions myth in different ways).
Bug- in English mythology, spirits. According to legends, the bug is a “children’s” monster; even in our time, English women scare their children with it.
Usually these creatures have the appearance of shaggy monsters with tangled, patchy fur. Many English children believe that bugs can enter rooms using open chimneys. However, despite their rather terrifying appearance, these creatures are not at all aggressive and are practically harmless, since they have neither sharp teeth nor long claws. They can scare in only one way - by making a terrible ugly face, spreading their paws and raising the hair on the back of the neck.
Alrauns- in the folklore of European peoples, tiny creatures that live in the roots of the mandrake, the outlines of which resemble human figures. Alrauns are friendly to people, but they are not averse to playing tricks, sometimes quite cruelly. These are werewolves that can transform into cats, worms and even small children. Later, the Alrauns changed their way of life: they liked the warmth and comfort of people’s homes so much that they began to move there. Before moving to a new place, alrauns, as a rule, test people: they scatter all kinds of garbage on the floor, throw clods of earth or pieces of cow dung into milk. If people don’t sweep up trash and drink milk, Alraun understands that it’s quite possible to settle here. It is almost impossible to drive him away. Even if the house burns down and people move somewhere, alraun follows them. Alraun had to be treated with great care due to its magical properties. It was necessary to wrap or dress him in white clothes with a golden belt, bathe him every Friday, and keep him in a box, otherwise Alraun would start screaming for attention. Alrauns were used in magical rituals. It was assumed that they brought great luck, like the quatrefoil talisman. But their possession carried the risk of prosecution for witchcraft, and in 1630 three women were executed in Hamburg on this charge. Due to the high demand for Alrauns, they were often carved from Bryonia roots, as genuine mandrakes were difficult to find. They were exported from Germany to various countries, including England, during the reign of Henry VIII.
Authorities- in Christian mythological ideas, angelic beings. Authorities can be both good forces and minions of evil. Among the nine angelic ranks authorities close the second triad, which in addition to them also includes dominations and forces. As Pseudo-Dionysius said, “the name of the holy Powers signifies a Order equal to the Divine Dominions and Powers, harmonious and capable of receiving Divine insights, and a structure of premium spiritual dominion, which does not autocratically use the granted sovereign powers for evil, but freely and decently to the Divine as itself ascending , so holyly leading others to Him and, as far as possible, becoming like the Source and Giver of all power and depicting Him... in the completely true use of His sovereign power.”
Gargoyle- the fruit of medieval mythology. The word "gargoyle" comes from the Old French gargouille - throat, and its sound imitates the gurgling sound that occurs when gargling. Gargoyles perched on facades Catholic cathedrals seemed ambivalent. On the one hand, they were like ancient sphinxes, guarding statues, capable of coming to life in moments of danger and protecting a temple or mansion, on the other hand, when they were placed on temples, it showed that all evil spirits were fleeing from this holy place, since they could not endure the temple cleanliness.
Make-ups- according to medieval European beliefs, they lived throughout Europe. Most often they can be seen in old cemeteries located near churches. Therefore, scary creatures are also called church makeups.
These monsters can take many forms, but most often they transform into huge dogs with jet-black fur and glow-in-the-dark eyes. You can see monsters only in rainy or cloudy weather; they usually appear in the cemetery in the late afternoon, as well as during the day during funerals. They often howl under the windows of sick people, foreshadowing their imminent death. Often, some grim, who is not afraid of heights, climbs into the church bell tower at night and begins to ring all the bells, which is popularly considered a very bad omen.
Ahti- a water demon among the peoples of the north. Neither evil nor good. Although he loves to joke and can overdo it with jokes so that a person will die. Of course, if you make him angry, he can kill you.
Atsys“without a name”, in the mythology of the West Siberian Tatars, an evil demon who unexpectedly appears before travelers at night in the form of a haystack, a cart, a tree, a fireball and strangles them. Atsys also called various evil spirits (myatskai, oryak, ubyr, etc.), the names of which were feared to be pronounced out loud for fear of attracting a demon.
Shoggoths- creatures mentioned in the famous mystical book "Al Azif", better known as the "Necronomicon", written by the mad poet Abdul Alhazred. About a third of the book is devoted to controlling shoggoths, which are presented as shapeless “eels” made of bubbles of protoplasm. The ancient gods created them as servants, but the shoggoths, possessing intelligence, quickly emerged from submission and have since acted of their own free will and for the sake of their strange, incomprehensible goals. They say that these beings often appear in narcotic visions, but there they are not subject to human control.
Yuvha, in the mythology of the Turkmens and Uzbeks of Khorezm, Bashkirs and Kazan Tatars (Yukha) is a demonic character associated with the water element. Yuvkha is a beautiful girl, whom she turns into after living for many (for the Tatars - 100 or 1000) years. According to the myths of the Turkmen and Uzbeks of Khorezm, Yuvkha marries a man, having previously set him a number of conditions, for example, not to watch her comb her hair, not stroke the back, perform ablution after intimacy. Having violated the conditions, the husband discovers snake scales on her back and sees how, while combing her hair, she removes her head. If you do not destroy Yuvha, she will eat her husband.
Ghouls - (Russian; Ukrainian upir, Belarusian ynip, other Russian upir), in Slavic mythology, a dead man who attacks people and animals. At night, the Ghoul rises from the grave and, in the guise of a bloodshot corpse or zoomorphic creature, kills people and animals, sucks the blood, after which the victim either dies or can become a Ghoul herself. By folk beliefs, ghouls became people who died an “unnatural death” - violently killed, drunkards, suicides and also sorcerers. It was believed that the earth does not accept such dead people and therefore they are forced to wander around the world and cause harm to the living. Such dead people were buried outside the cemetery and away from housing.
Chusrym in Mongolian mythology - the King of Fishes. It freely swallows ships, and when it sticks out of the water, it looks like a huge mountain.
Shuffle, in Hungarian mythology, a dragon with a serpentine body and wings. It is possible to distinguish between two layers of ideas about Shuffling. One of them is related to European tradition, is presented mainly in fairy tales, where Sharkan is a ferocious monster with big amount(three, seven, nine, twelve) heads, the hero's opponent in battle, often an inhabitant of a magic castle. On the other hand, there are known beliefs about the one-headed Shuffling as one of the assistants of the sorcerer (shaman) taltosh.
Shilikun, Shilikhan- in Slavic mythology - hooligan little spirits that appear on Christmas Eve and run through the streets with burning coals in frying pans until Epiphany. Drunk people can be pushed into the ice hole. At night they will make noise and roam, and having turned into black cats, they will crawl under your feet.
They are as tall as a sparrow, their legs are like those of a horse - with hooves, and fire breathes from their mouths. At Epiphany they go into the underworld.
Faun (Pan)- spirit or deity of forests and groves, god of shepherds and fishermen in Greek mythology. This is a cheerful god and companion of Dionysus, always surrounded by forest nymphs, dancing with them and playing the flute for them. It is believed that Pan had a prophetic gift and endowed Apollo with this gift. The faun was considered a crafty spirit who stole children.
Kumo- in Japanese mythology - spiders that can turn into people. Very rare creatures. In their normal form they look like huge spiders, the size of a person, with glowing red eyes and sharp stings on their paws. In human form - beautiful women with cold beauty, luring men into a trap and devouring them.
Phoenix- an immortal bird personifying the cyclical nature of the world. Phoenix is the patron of anniversaries, or large time cycles. Herodotus presents the original version of the legend with marked skepticism:
“There is another sacred bird there, its name is Phoenix. I myself have never seen it, except as a drawing, for in Egypt it appears rarely, once every 500 years, as the inhabitants of Heliopolis say. According to them, she flies when her father (that is, herself) dies. If the images correctly show her size and size and appearance, her plumage is partly golden, partly red. Its appearance and size resemble an eagle.” This bird does not reproduce, but is reborn after death from its own ashes.
Werewolf— Werewolf is a monster that exists in many mythological systems. This refers to a person who can transform into animals or vice versa. An animal that can turn into people. Demons, deities, and spirits often possess this ability. The classic werewolf is the wolf. It is with him that all the associations generated by the word werewolf are connected. This change can occur either at the request of the werewolf or involuntarily, caused, for example, by certain lunar cycles.
Wiryava- mistress and spirit of the grove among the peoples of the north. She appeared as a beautiful girl. Birds and animals obeyed her. She helped lost travelers.
Wendigo- a cannibal spirit in the myths of the Ojibwe and some other Algonquin tribes. Served as a warning against any excesses of human behavior. The Inuit tribe calls this creature different names, including Windigo, Vitigo, Vitiko. Wendigos enjoy hunting and love to attack hunters. A lonely traveler who finds himself in the forest begins to hear strange sounds. He looks around for the source, but sees nothing except the flicker of something moving too fast for anyone to detect. human eye. When the traveler begins to run away in fear, the Wendigo attacks. He is powerful and strong like no other. Can imitate people's voices. In addition, the Wendigo never stops hunting after eating.
Shikigami. in Japanese mythology, Spirits summoned by a magician, an expert on Onmyo-do. They usually appear as small oni, but can take the forms of birds and animals. Many shikigami can inhabit the bodies of animals and control them, and the shikigami of the most powerful magicians can inhabit people. Controlling shikigami is very difficult and dangerous, as they can break out of the magician’s control and attack him. An expert on Onmyo-do can direct the power of other people's shikigami against their master.
Hydra monster, described by the ancient Greek poet Hesiod (VIII-VII centuries BC) in his legend of Hercules (“Theogony”): a multi-headed snake (Lernaean Hydra), in which, instead of each severed head, two new ones grew. And it was impossible to kill her. The hydra's lair was near Lake Lerna near Argolis. Under the water there was an entrance to the underground kingdom of Hades, which was guarded by a hydra. The hydra hid in a rocky cave on the shore near the Amymone spring, from where it came out only to attack the surrounding settlements.
Fights- in English folklore, water fairies who lure mortal women by appearing to them in the form of wooden dishes floating on water. As soon as any woman grabs hold of such a dish, the drac immediately takes on its true, ugly appearance and drags the unfortunate woman to the bottom so that she can look after his children.
Sinister- pagan evil spirits of the ancient Slavs, the personification of Nedolya, Navi’s servants. They are also called krixes or khmyri - swamp spirits, which are dangerous because they can stick to a person, even move into him, especially in old age, if the person has never loved anyone in his life and has not had children. A sinister person can turn into a poor old man. In the Christmas game, the evil one personifies poverty, misery, and winter darkness.
Incubi- in medieval European mythology, male demons who sexually harass female love. The word incubus comes from the Latin “incubare”, which means “to recline”. According to ancient books, the incubus is fallen angels, demons who are attracted to sleeping women. Incubi showed such enviable energy in intimate affairs that entire nations were born. For example, the Huns, who, according to medieval beliefs, were the descendants of “outcast women” of the Goths and evil spirits.
Goblin- owner of the forest, forest spirit, in mythology Eastern Slavs. This is the main owner of the forest, he makes sure that no one harms anyone on his farm. He treats good people well, helps them get out of the forest, but he treats not-so-good people badly: he confuses them, makes them walk in circles. He sings in a voice without words, claps his hands, whistles, hoots, laughs, cries. The goblin can appear in various plant, animal, human and mixed images, and can be invisible. Most often it appears as a solitary creature. For the winter it leaves the forest, falling underground.
Baba Yaga- a character in Slavic mythology and folklore, mistress of the forest, mistress of animals and birds, guardian of the borders of the kingdom of Death. In a number of fairy tales she is likened to a witch or sorceress. More often - negative character, but sometimes acts as an assistant to the hero. Baba Yaga has several stable attributes: she can cast magic, fly in a mortar, and lives on the border of the forest, in a hut on chicken legs surrounded by a fence made of human bones with skulls. She lures good fellows and small children to her, supposedly in order to eat them.
Shishiga, unclean spirit, in Slavic mythology. If he lives in the forest, he attacks people who accidentally wander in, so that he can gnaw off their bones. At night they like to make noise and chatter. According to another belief, shishimoras or shishigi are mischievous, restless house spirits who mock a person who does things without praying. We can say that these are very instructive spirits, correct, teaching a pious lifestyle.
