One thing that links every culture and belief system on this planet are the fantastic beasts of lore.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Mythical creatures exist in all walks of life.
You dont need to look hard to find them.
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In this article, we will look at a collection of both.
They are the most fantastic, fascinating, and disturbing mythical creatures ever spoken of.
We will travel the world and look at the best mythical beasts ever thought up.
But dont worry, you wont be wasting your time reading more about the Loch Ness monster.
While Nessie is fun, we are looking for something a little darker here.
However, that is just the tip of the iceberg for this fascinating culture.
Lets look now at some of the most fearsome mystical creatures from Ancient Greece.
Typhon
The largest, angriest, and more powerful mythical creature from this period is Typhon.
A gargantuan mythological creature who even the Greek gods feared.
Dracaena
Littered throughout Ancient Greece are tales of the Dracaena, or the Dragon Women.
The primary examples of Dracaenae are Echidna, Ceto, and Scylla.
These powerful mythical creatures preyed upon men, devouring them in all manner of nasty ways.
Minotaur
Another classic character from Greek Mythology is the Minotaur.
Monstrous creatures will be common on this list, but none have the history of the Minotaur.
Created by Poseidon as an act of revenge against Minos, the King of Crete.
The child she bore was half human and half bull.
Is the Minotaur a monster or a victim?
Hydra
One of the most fearsome mythical beasts from the Ancient world is the Hydra.
Sea monsters are coming in early mythology, as man took to the oceans and expanded their borders.
However, the Hydra remains possibly the most legendary creature of ancient mythology.
A serpentine creature with multiple heads.
Chimera
Another fabled creature from Greek mythology is the Chimeraa three-headed fire breathing beast.
While there are certainly worse creatures, something about the Chimera draws people in.
According to the legend, the beast was slain by Bellerophon with the aide of his winged horse Pegasus.
Honorable Mentions
The following mythological creatures all deserve an honorable mention.
The Romans had no real mythical beasts before they came across the ancient greeks.
Asp
The Asp is a snake-like creature that shares its place in several mythologies.
According to the legends, there is only ever a single phoenix alive at any one point.
From the ashes of its dead predecessor, the next phoenix is born.
Cerberus
What creature could be more fitting for a list of mythical creatures than Cerberus?
The three-headed dog beast stands guard over the gates of Hades.
Once again, Cerberus is a creature that is known in Ancient Greece.
Technically it is the brother of a few other creatures on this list, Hyrda, and Chimera.
Several different types of Cyclops appear throughout various mythologies; however, the core look never changes.
They are one-eyed giants and talented builders.
While the cyclopes are not considered evil in nature, they have played significant parts in many stories.
Dirae were Roman goddesses of vengeance.
Very similar to the Furies (Erinyes) of Greek lore.
The exact number varies from text to text, but the more common reference is to three sisters.
The daughters of Pluto and Nyx.
Lets look at some of the supernatural creatures whose legends were forged in the snow and ice.
Thats pretty much the sum of it here.
The Draugar are the undead, but unlike modern zombies, these mighty magical creatures had borderline supernatural abilities.
They could change their size at will, growing to become giants.
The stench of death and decay always followed them, alerting everybody to their presence.
They lived in their graves and were said to be able to enter the dreams of those they targeted.
Usually, the Draugar would attack those who had wronged them in life.
Fossegrimen
Known as Grim, the Fossegrimen are fascinating mythological creatures.
If the offering was not good enough, all the Grim would teach is how to tune the instrument.
The worse option was if the offering was accepted.
Then the Grim would grab the musician and pull their hands over the strings until they bled.
Were not sure what the best choice is here!
Fenrir
A fearsome wolf like creature, Fenrir was set to destroy all nine worlds of Norse lore.
What more could you expect from the son of Loki?
Unable to control the beast, Fenrir was tricked into being chained up for eternity.
Once chained, Fenrir bit off the gods hand, but it was too late.
In Norse mythology, the world will end when Fenrir finally breaks free of his bonds.
Mare
The Mare are nasty mythical creatures who prey upon sleeping human beings, causing them horrendous nightmares.
It is said that they are demons who take the souls of the living out of their bodies.
The Mare preys upon the concept of the soul wandering when a person sleeps.
Often the souls of witches or rebellious youths were said to become the Mare.
Unlike other creatures on this list, the Mare did nothing beyond bringing bad dreams.
Ratatoska
No, its not a Pokemon.
Instead, Tatatoska is a squirrel who lives on the tree of life.
Different tales carry differing motives, from the cheeky to the sinister.
There is something fascinating about the legends and mythical creatures that dwell within the pages of Norse history.
They make for very entertaining reading but certainly a perilous existence.
Fantastic Creatures of European Folklore
Another period rich with its own mystical creatures is Europe and Irish Folklore.
A great many creatures abound through the pages of history; stories passed down through the ages.
Stories that are still spoken of to this day.
Lets wander now through European lands and look at what legendary beasts lay in wait.
Theres nothing fancy about the Kelpie.
The Kelpie is also a commonly seen figure in Scottish Folklore.
Fear Gorta
Another mythical creature from Irish mythology is the Fear Gorta.
It is essentially a zombie, but with a strangely vivid twist and a good moral behind them.
These living dead creatures rise from the grave, with broken bones protruding from their bodies.
Their skin is a horrid shade of blue.
They would stalk their prey in search of sustenance.
Those who had nothing or gave nothing would receive a future lined with famine and misfortune.
The moral behind the beast is that it is good to share with those that are less fortunate.
This rather unusual creature is neither fearsome nor evil.
A stranger mix of creatures you are unlikely to find.
The Turul
This mythical creature is from Hungarian / Turkish origins.
There are strong bonds between pregnant women and bird-like protectors across the entire Steppe mythology.
These creatures are normally angry beasts who love the taste of human flesh, whether raw or charred.
They were also a very popular tool for human sacrifices, especially fair maidens.
European history is full of interesting and downright terrifying mythical creatures.
Many of them permeate across multiple different cultures, and a significant number still feature heavily in modern society.
Consequently, there are no shortage of devilish creatures and spirits with magical powers scattered through Japanese folklore.
The following five mythical creatures are equal parts intriguing, distributing, and terrifying.
So sit back, and brace yourself.
They sit outside their masters property and protect it from both evil spirits and bad fortune.
The female spirit sits with its mouth closed as she attempts to preserve good fortune in the home.
Jorogumo
A genuinely terrifying creature, it could put you off dating for life.
These mythical creatures are actually golden orbspidersthat have lived for 400 years.
On their 400th birthday, they grow in size and develop the ability to shape-shift into a beautiful woman.
Oni
Through Japanese mythology, there are many references to different types of Oni.
They aredemonswith a vaguely human form.
Standing around nine feet tall and carry a large iron bat, which they use whenever they can.
They are angry, short-tempered brutes and one of the most fearsome creatures in Japanese legend.
Often depicted as having red or blue skin, they are as strong as they are repulsive.
They attack evil-doers and will happily devour human beings should the chance present itself.
When they hear people passing by, they start to wail.
Those who come to investigate a lost childs sound meet a nasty fate.
Victims are slowly crushed to death under the growing weight.
Kappa
The Kappa is a suitable creepy creature to close our time in Japan.
If that bowl runs dry or breaks, the Kappa lose their strength and can even die.
If you get a chance, you must check them out.
5 Amazing Mythical Creatures From Around the World
The world is full of myths and legends.
Every country and culture has them.
The following collection of fantastic beasts comes from all corners of the known world.
Aqrabuamelu
There is any number of half human half animal creatures through a range of mythologies.
However, there is something extra unsettling about the Aqrabuamelu.
Originating from Ancient Mesopotamia, this horrid creature is half human and half scorpion.
A human head and upper body with a scorpion body, including the stinger tail.
That is a horrifying creature.
Werewolf
No list of mythical creatures could be complete without mentioning the werewolf.
While they have their origins in European folklore, the creatures of similar description exist through many different cultures.
Possibly related to the Gorgons, the creatures gaze alone is enough to kill a man.
Whatever its form, there is one consistent weakness in its armor, and that is the weasel.
Giant ape-like creatures that live deep in the woods or high in the mountains.
They are often cited as angry and aggressive creatures in books and film.
However, the underlying denominator is usually them being provoked by hunters and intrepid explorers.
Pontianak
Rounding off our list of mythical creatures is the Pontianak, possibly the nastiest creature yet.
They lure their prey away and suck the organs directly from their victims body.
From the Loch Ness monster to the Japanese Oni, weve met a lot of different creatures.
