101 Amazing Mythical Beasts by Jack Goldstein

Author:Jack Goldstein
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: hippogriff, slenderman, fantastic beasts, grindylow, chimera, griffin, sphinx, basilik, kitsune, squonk, skunk ape, bigfoot, yeti, anansi, baku, cockatrice, manticore, giant, pegasus, cyclops, learn, education, popobawa, facts, fun, trivia
ISBN: 9781783337637
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2014
Published: 2014-05-21T00:00:00+00:00

A Hodag

General

Dragon: almost every culture across the world features Dragons in its mythology. This interesting ‘convergence of myth’ has led many to propose that Dragons were in fact at one time real - otherwise how would belief in them have been so widespread?! Generally seen as reptilian beasts with wings (and often the ability to breathe fire) there are plenty of ‘real world’ theories as to their origin, from huge lizards (such as the Komodo Dragon of today) to spitting cobras, Nile crocodiles and more.

Bunyip: in Aboriginal mythology, the Bunyip would lurk in waterholes, creeks and riverbeds. Descriptions of its appearance vary significantly across Australia, ranging from a hybrid with the face of a dog, head of a crocodile, tail of a horse and bill of a duck to an ‘enormous starfish’ according to the Moorundi people. In 1847, a skull purporting to have belonged to a Bunyip was displayed in the Australian Museum, although experts dismissed it as belonging to a deformed calf.

Manananggal: if you’re in the Philippines, beware of the Manananggal. A hideous female form with bat-like wings, this blood-sucker mostly prays on pregnant women, using its tube-like tongue to suck out the heart of the unborn foetus.

Ponaturi: Maori legend tells of the Ponaturi, a group of goblins who by day live in a land under the sea, and at night return to sleep by the shore. The malevolent creatures appear in a number of stories in the folklore of the indigenous people of New Zealand.

Taniwha: the Maoris will also tell you of Taniwha, beings that inhabit pools or caves by the sea - especially in dangerous areas with strong currents. Some Taniwha are considered protective guardians (known as kaitiaki ) whereas others are known as dangerous creatures who may even set out to enslave anyone who passes nearby. Interestingly, belief in the existence of these spirits ensured that a major New Zealand highway was re-routed so as not to infringe on the territory of one protective Taniwha.

Vodyanoy: this naked old man with a frog’s face is prominent in Czech mythology. With his green beard, long hair and body made of black fish scales (which themselves are covered in algae), this creature would drown people and animals when he was angered; to appease him fishermen, millers and even bee-keepers would make sacrifices in his honour.

Incubus: if you are female and you have ever woken up in the middle of the night unable to move your limbs, it is quite possible that you have been visited by an Incubus. Considered a demon in some cultures, this creature is said to prey on unwilling victims in the middle of the night, his visit almost always accompanied by paralysis of his victim.

Succubus: if you are male on the other hand, the same symptoms would suggest an encounter with a succubus - also referred to as a night hag. As the experience of one’s mind being awake whereas the body appears to be asleep is common across all cultures, scientists have looked into the causes of this further.

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