100 Most Fascinating Mythical Creatures of All Time

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Folklore expert Sydney Bermudez shares fascinating facts about mythical creatures
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There are countless mythical creatures from folklore and legends around the world, but which are the most popular? We interviewed mythology and folklore experts to compile a list of the top 100 mythical creatures of all time. Keep reading to learn all about mythical beasts and monsters from different cultures.

Most Iconic Mythical Creatures

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An illustration of popular mythical creatures.

Folklore expert Sydney Bermudez says some interesting mythical creatures are the Native American wendigo, the Japanese kitsune, and the Filipino tikbalang. Other popular creatures include dragons, unicorns, centaurs, selkies, and djinn.

1

Dragon

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  1. Dragons are large, reptilian, serpent-like creatures found in mythology all over the world. European dragons have large wings, four legs, and typically breathe fire. Eastern dragons (based in Chinese mythology) have long, eel-like bodies, no wings, and don’t breathe fire. They’re actually more closely associated with water.[1]

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    Sydney Bermudez is a folklore and urban legends expert who shares content about urban legends and paranormal cases on social media.

    Julia VanderHoeven is a Greek and Roman mythology and ancient history scholar. She shares insights on Instagram as @museofmythology.

    K. D. Stark is a Greek and Roman mythology expert who has written two books inspired by Greek mythology. She’s had a lifelong obsession with Greek myths.

    Adeche Atelier, also known as Adwoa Botchey and Solomon Adebiyi, are African mythology experts who host the Afro Mythos Podcast.

    Maria Souza is a comparative mythologist and the founder of Women & Mythology, where she helps women find their true selves.

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2

Phoenix

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  1. The phoenix is a mythological bird made of fire. According to symbologist David Christiansen, “The phoenix is a very, very common symbol of rebirth, burning to ashes and coming out brand new. The phoenix never actually dies. When it gets old or ‘dies,’ it just burns up, turns to ashes, and from the ashes, a new phoenix will rise.”[2]
3

Unicorn

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  1. Unicorns are horses with a single, spiraling horn coming out of their forehead. They’re typically all-white and are associated with purity. Some legends say that only pure maidens can tame them. Their horns supposedly have healing powers.[3]
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4

Mermaid

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  1. Mermaids or mermaid-like creatures are found in mythology all over the world. In general, mermaids are hybrid sea creatures with the upper body of a woman and the tail of a fish. Mermen are the male equivalent. In modern times, mermaids are often portrayed as kind, beautiful beings, but traditionally, they were omens associated with shipwrecks and storms.[4]
    • Many Redditors in the r/Cryptozoology subreddit agree that the mermaid myth likely stemmed from sailors misidentifying manatees. One user states, “Considering it all stems from sailors spotting manatees and that one sideshow attraction where someone sewed the bottom of a fish to the top half of a monkey, this is one of the least likely cryptids/mythological creatures to exist.”
5

Vampire

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  1. Vampires are typically undead humans who drink blood. According to Bermudez, “They’re often described as pale, with sharp fangs, red or glowing eyes, and a haunting beauty or allure.”[5] They’re immortal and, depending on the story, may have supernatural strength or speed. Traditionally, they’re killed by sunlight or a stake to the heart and are repelled by garlic and holy water.
    • Vampires are unique because they originated in various cultures. As one Redditor explains, “Vampires are one of the things that folklorists refer to as polygenetic. We see it in cultures all over the world, many of which had no contact with each other. There is no original vampire. Different cultures have different ideas about how a vampire comes to be, what it does, and how you neutralize it.”
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6

Werewolf

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  1. Werewolves are humans who are cursed to turn into wolves or half-wolf, half-human creatures, typically under the full moon. According to Bermudez, they’re killed with silver bullets or fire, and they can sometimes be cured if the werewolf who turned them is killed.[6]
7

Loch Ness Monster

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  1. The Loch Ness Monster is a large aquatic monster said to inhabit Loch Ness in Scotland. Also known as Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster is said to resemble a long-necked aquatic dinosaur. There have been several alleged sightings over the years, but no proof that the monster exists.[7]
    • These days, most people believe Nessie is nothing more than a myth. However, one user in the r/Cryptozoology subreddit says, “I think there was something there. A few strange-looking or oversized fish or something that lived there for a long time that the locals told stories about. But I doubt if they survived as long as the legends have. But, as with all the weird animals on here, I want to believe.”
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8

Valkyrie

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  1. The Valkyrie are legendary female warriors from Norse mythology. They roam battlefields to choose which warriors will die and help guide honorable warriors to Valhalla and Fólkvangr.[8]
9

Basilisk

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  1. The basilisk is a legendary serpent-like creature that could kill its victims with its venom or simply by looking at them. It’s said to be the most venomous creature that ever lived; if its venom gets in a well, the water will be tainted for centuries.[9]
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10

Pegasus

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  1. Pegasus is a winged horse from Greek mythology. According to Greek and Roman mythology expert Julia VanderHoeven, his parents were Medusa and Poseidon, and he was born from Medusa’s neck when the hero Perseus cut off her head.[10]
11

Kraken

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  1. The Kraken is a legendary sea monster from Scandinavian mythology. It’s typically depicted as an enormous squid or octopus. The Kraken is capable of creating whirlpools by swimming around, and it can drag ships underwater. It’s likely inspired by actual giant squids.[11]
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12

Sasquatch

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  1. Sasquatch, or Bigfoot, is a large, hairy ape-like creature reported to live in the wilderness across North America. It’s known for leaving behind footprints that are far too large to belong to a human. Many people have reported seeing sasquatch and even captured blurry images on film, but there is no firm proof that Bigfoot exists.[12]
    • Many believers have shared their sasquatch encounters in the r/bigfoot subreddit. One user explains, “I had one scream at me while I was in my living room. Multiple times. Over the course of a week. Until I packed up my animals and essentials and sold my house and never went back. I had the stench in my backyard, giant prints in the snow in front of my windows. My yard birds would always go missing. Then that scream… It was more like a screaming freight train running through my chest. It was so unbelievably loud.”
13

Sphinx

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  1. Greek and Roman mythology expert K. D. Stark says that the Sphinx is a creature that’s “part lion, part lady, part eagle” from Greek mythology.[13] According to myth, when a traveler approached the Sphinx, it would tell them a riddle. If the traveler failed to solve it, the Sphinx would eat them.
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14

Wendigo

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  1. According to Bermudez, “A wendigo is a mythological creature from Algonquian folklore, often described as a malevolent, cannibalistic spirit associated with greed, hunger, and winter. It’s said to possess humans and drive them to commit acts of cannibalism.”[14]
    • In modern interpretations, the wendigo is often depicted with a deer-like skull. However, one Reddit user explains, “The cannibalism version is way more authentic to actual Algonquian traditions—it’s basically about the taboo of eating human flesh and the spiritual/psychological consequences. The deer-skull antler thing is mostly from modern horror media and got mixed up with other cryptids over time.”
15

Faun

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  1. In Roman mythology, fauns are hybrid creatures with the upper body of a human and the lower body and horns of a goat. They’re nature spirits who represent the untamed woodland, and they’re usually timid. Their Greek counterpart, satyrs, are more wild and animalistic.[15]
    • One Reddit user further explains the difference between fauns and satyrs: “Early depictions of Greek satyrs had more in common with horses or donkeys. They were often shown in the retinue of Dionysus or Pan… ‘Round that same time, Romans had a rustic god called Faunus. And fauns were the guys that hung around him. They were depicted as just naked guys. They were considered mischievous, but could be helpful, particularly to lone travelers. Over time, as the Roman Empire expanded, the fauns were conflated with satyrs.”
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16

Cerberus

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  1. According to Stark, “Cerberus is the three-headed dog of the Underworld, who’s the guardian of Hades” in Greek mythology.[16] He made sure the dead did not escape the Underworld and that the living did not enter without the permission of the gods. He is the son of the monsters Typhon and Echidna, and his siblings are the Hydra and the Chimera.
17

Kitsune

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  1. According to Bermudez, in Japanese mythology, “Kitsune [are] powerful fox spirits known for shape-shifting and intelligence. As they age, they gain additional tails (up to nine), symbolizing wisdom and strength. Some serve as messengers of the deity Inari, while others are mischievous tricksters who create illusions or possess humans.”[17]
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18

Siren

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  1. In Greek mythology, sirens are creatures who lure sailors to their death by enchanting them with their beautiful songs. “The original sirens were half-women, half-birds, and then later on they became mermaids,” explains Greek mythology expert Carla Ionescu, PhD.[18]
19

Giant

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  1. Giants are extremely large humanoids who appear in various mythologies. They’re far taller than humans and typically have incredible strength. They often battle gods and heroes, and they represent the powerful, uncontrollable force of nature.[19]
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20

Faerie

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  1. Faeries, also known as the Fae or Fair Folk, come from Celtic and European folklore. They’re typically morally grey nature spirits who play tricks on humans. They often steal humans away to Fairyland and are known to kidnap human babies and leave behind sickly faerie ones known as changelings.[20]
21

Hydra

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  1. VanderHoeven says that, in Greek mythology, “The Hydra is a many-snake-headed monster where if you cut off one of its heads, two more heads come out. It was essentially born and bred for the sole purpose of trying to kill Heracles.”[21]
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22

Centaur

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  1. Stark explains that centaurs are half-man, half-horse creatures from Greek mythology.[22] Most centaurs were wild, violent, and ruled by primal urges, though Chiron, the mentor to many Greek heroes, was a notable exception. He was wise and gentle.
23

Minotaur

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  1. According to Stark, the Minotaur is a half-man, half-bull creature from Greek mythology. In the myth, the wife of King Minos, the ruler of Crete, is cursed by Poseidon to fall in love with a bull. She then gives birth to the bull’s child, named Asterion, who is known as the Minotaur.[23] The Minotaur lives in the labyrinth and eats human sacrifices that Minos sends each year.
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24

Zombie

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  1. These days, we think of zombies as living corpses who were killed by a virus and now eat human flesh or brains. However, they actually originated from West African and Haitian spiritual practices. The original zombies were not believed to be reanimated corpses, but were instead people whose souls had been stolen by a sorcerer.[24]
25

Banshee

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  1. In Irish mythology, a banshee is a spirit or fairy woman who acts as an omen of death. It’s said that if you hear her wailing or crying, you or one of your loved ones will soon die. She isn’t malevolent, and her call is supposed to give families time to prepare for an impending death.[25]
    • One Reddit user shares a story about their grandmother’s possible encounter with a banshee: “A banshee was sitting outside on her window ledge in the middle of the night howling, frantically running a comb through its hair until a bristle broke, then immediately stopped screaming and left. My grandmother checked the time, and it was about 5 AM. The next day, [she found out] her sister had passed during the night and was pronounced dead at 5 AM.”
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26

Thunderbird

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  1. Bermudez says the Thunderbird is a powerful storm being from Native American mythology.[26] It’s depicted as a large bird that creates thunder by flapping its wings and lightning by flashing its eyes.
27

Chupacabra

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  1. El chupacabra is a cryptid sighted in Mexico and across Latin America. Some stories say it’s a dog-like creature with spines on its back, while others report that it’s more reptilian and alien-like. Either way, the creature is known for draining the blood of livestock. Its name literally translates to “goat sucker.”[27]
    • There are many different theories about chupacabra sightings. In the r/Cryptozoology subreddit, one user states, “I think that the chupacabra is just a coyote or a stray dog with mange.”
    • Another Redditor theorizes, “As a Mexican, I can say that all the chupacabra phenomena was intentional and financed by the government to distract everyone from noticing all the BS there was going on in the country.”
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28

Wyvern

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  1. The wyvern is a specific type of dragon from medieval European folklore. It’s different from traditional European dragons because it only has two legs and uses its wings as its front limbs. Wyverns represent war, pestilence, and envy, and they’re often featured on English and French heraldry.[28]
29

Bunyip

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  1. In Australian Aboriginal folklore, the bunyip is a swamp creature said to have the head of a dog, the body of an ox, and flippers or fins. It lurks in billabongs and riverbeds and is said to prey on those who step too close to the water’s edge.[29]
    • One Redditor suggests, “Bunyip sightings seem to result from Aboriginal peoples encountering leopard seals and incorporating them into their folklore.”
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30

White Stag

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  1. As its name suggests, the white stag is a mythical white male deer that appears in legends around the world. It’s known to be incredibly elusive, and depending on the legend, it often serves as a messenger between the human world and the spiritual world. Most legends involve humans going on quests to attempt to catch the white stag.[30]
31

Chimera

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  1. In Greek mythology, the chimera is a fire-breathing monster with the head and body of a lion. It also has a goat’s head protruding from its neck and a serpent for a tail. Its parents were the monsters Typhon and Echidna, and it was slain by the hero Bellerophon.[31]
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32

Griffin

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  1. Originating in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, the griffin is a creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. Pharaohs were often depicted riding griffins, and the creatures symbolized courage, royalty, and divinity.[32]
33

Goblin

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  1. In European folklore, goblins are small, grotesque creatures with magical powers. They’re tricksters who, depending on the legend, are household pests or nature spirits who live in forests and caverns. They’re sometimes associated with bad luck.[33]
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34

Yeti

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  1. Also known as the Abominable Snowman, the Yeti is a large, ape-like creature with white fur, said to live in the Himalayan Mountains. It’s similar to the sasquatch, both in appearance and folklore. Many people have reported seeing it, but there’s no proof it exists.[34]
35

Tanuki

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  1. In Japanese mythology, the mythical tanuki is based on a real animal of the same name. Known as the Japanese raccoon dog, the tanuki is a good-natured trickster spirit who loves pranking humans and drinking sake. They beat on their bellies like drums and can shapeshift.[35]
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36

Bogeyman

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  1. The bogeyman is a terrifying creature used to scare children from misbehaving. It doesn’t have one set appearance, and variations of the bogeyman are found around the world. In general, it lurks under beds and in closets waiting to snatch up misbehaving children.[36]
37

Hippocampus

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  1. In Greek and Roman mythology, the hippocampus is a literal seahorse—it has the head and upper body of a horse and the lower body of a fish or serpent. They’re known for pulling the chariot of the sea god, Poseidon.[37]
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38

Elf

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  1. There are different types of elves depending on the mythology. In Norse and Germanic mythology, they’re incredibly beautiful, average-sized humanoid nature spirits with magical powers. Over time, though, they’ve evolved to be smaller imp-like creatures, like Santa’s elves.[38]
39

Ghoul

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  1. According to European folklore, ghouls are cannibalistic, undead monsters that were once human. They became cursed after feeding on human flesh. Ghouls reek of death and have a disgusting appearance. They eat both corpses and living flesh and lure their victims to abandoned places.[39]
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40

Selkie

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  1. In Celtic and Icelandic folklore, selkies are shapeshifting creatures who transform between seals and humans. When they want to appear human, they shed their seal skins and walk on land. Human men often steal the pelts of selkie women to force them into marriage because they can’t turn back into a seal without them.[40]
41

Mothman

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  1. Mothman is an American cryptid from West Virginia. He appears as a large humanoid creature with moth- or bat-like wings and glowing red eyes. According to paranormal and horror enthusiast Brittney Crabb, Mothman “always shows himself before a tragedy.”[41] He is mostly associated with the collapse of the Silver Bridge in Point Pleasant, West Virginia.
    • Like all cryptids, there are many theories about what Mothman “actually” is. One Redditor comments, “I was a kid down in Huntington when the sightings were happening. About the time it all settled down, I saw a sandhill crane flying downstream along the Ohio River. I’m not saying that is the cause of the sightings, but it was way out of its normal range and the biggest bird I had seen at the time.”
    • Another Reddit user notes, “I think the Mothman had something to do with the government and TNT. The Men in Black were also spotted in Pt. Pleasant.”
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42

Skinwalker

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  1. Bermudez states that skinwalkers are shapeshifters from Navajo folklore.[42] They’re typically described as witches who shapeshift or disguise themselves as other humans or animals. They commit malevolent acts while disguised so they don’t get caught in their human form.
    • “From what I understand, you don’t talk about ‘walkers. Ever,” notes one Reddit user. The belief is that talking about them will give them more power or invite their negative energy.
43

Kelpie

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  1. Comparative mythologist Maria Souza says that the kelpie is a shape-shifting creature from Scottish mythology.[43] Kelpies are malevolent water spirits who take on the form of a horse when on land. They lure people in, and when their victims get on their backs, they drag them into the water and drown them.
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44

Gorgon

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  1. In Greek mythology, gorgons are women who have snakes for hair and turn their victims to stone by looking them in the eyes. The most famous gorgon is Medusa, and her two sisters are Stheno and Euryale.[44]
45

Naga

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  1. The naga come from Hindu, Buddhist, and Jainist mythology. They’re semi-divine beings who are half-human, half-serpent, though they can present fully as either form. They’re powerful water spirits and guardians of treasure, and they live in an underground kingdom filled with riches.[45]
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46

Djinn

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  1. In Arabic and Islamic mythology, djinn (or jinn) are supernatural beings made of smokeless fire. They’re usually invisible to humans, though they can appear as animals or humans. Djinn can be benevolent, malevolent, or neutral, as they have free will.[46]
47

Harpy

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  1. Harpies are found in Greek and Roman mythology. They’re human-bird hybrids, with the heads and torsos of women and the bodies and wings of birds. They’re the personification of windstorms, and they were sent by Zeus to punish people and steal souls.[47]
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48

Ogre

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  1. Ogres are large, brutish humanoid creatures known for their grotesque appearance and low intelligence. They’re almost always hungry and are known to eat humans, especially infants and children. Ogres are mainly associated with European fairytales, though they’re found in folktales around the world.[48]
49

Jackalope

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  1. The jackalope is a jackrabbit with the antlers of a deer or antelope, believed to roam the American West. According to some stories, they can mimic human voices and would often sing along to campfire songs. They supposedly survive on whiskey and only breed during lightning flashes.[49]
    • While Jackalopes aren’t real, they were once believed to be due to taxidermy tricks. One Reddit user explains the creature’s origins: “The ‘original’ jackalopes had actual horns from a pronghorn, not deer antlers. That’s where the name came from. Jackrabbit + antelope = jackalope. Taxidermists switched to antlers because they were easier/cheaper to come by.”
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50

Jersey Devil

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  1. The Jersey Devil is a cryptid believed to live in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. It’s depicted as a bipedal creature with the head of a horse, bat wings, and cloven hooves. According to legend, the Jersey Devil is the 13th child of Mother Leeds. While pregnant, she cursed it, saying, “Let it be the devil,” and when it was born, it immediately transformed into a monster.[50]
    • One Redditor speculates that the Jersey Devil may have been a hammerhead bat: “They’re quite large for a bat and look similar to that famous sketch of the Devil, horse face and all. They’re African in origin and since the Atlantic slave trade would have been ongoing during the Devil’s reign, it’s a real possibility.”
51

Leprechaun

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  1. According to Irish mythology, leprechauns are fairies who often work as cobblers. They’re typically depicted as tiny men dressed in all green, and they guard pots of gold that wait at the end of a rainbow. They’re mischievous and can easily outsmart humans.[51]
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52

Swan Maiden

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  1. The story of the swan maiden is mostly associated with German folklore, though variations appear all over the world. A swan maiden is typically a young woman who shapeshifts using a feathered cloak. Like the selkie, a human man may steal the swan maiden’s cloak to force her into marriage.[52]
53

Oni

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  1. Bermudez says, “Oni [are] horned, ogre-like demons often depicted with red or blue skin and iron clubs. In folklore, they represent punishment and chaos, especially in Buddhist-influenced tales of hell, though some stories portray them as protective figures.”[53]
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54

Dryad

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  1. Dryads are nature spirits from Greek mythology. They’re tree nymphs who guard forests, and they often appear as beautiful young women. In some stories, dryads are connected to individual trees, and when a tree dies, its dryad will die with it.[54]
55

Baba Yaga

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  1. Baba Yaga is a witch-like figure from Slavic folklore. She appears as an old crone and lives in a hut with chicken legs. Depending on the story, she’s either a villain who eats children or a grandmotherly figure who helps heroes on their quests.[55]
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56

Troll

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  1. In Scandinavian folklore, trolls are giant monsters or spirits who often possess magical powers. According to legend, they turn to stone in the daylight. They often live in mountains and are known to be hostile toward humans.[56]
57

Manticore

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  1. The manticore comes from Persian mythology. It’s a monster with the body of a lion, the tail of a scorpion, and the face of a human. It can launch its tail spines like arrows and is known to eat its victims whole.[57]
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58

Cockatrice

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  1. The cockatrice is a medieval beast that is part rooster and part dragon or serpent. They can kill their victims with a single look, and they’re born when a toad or serpent hatches a chicken egg. According to legend, the weasel is the only animal immune to the cockatrice’s powers.[58]
59

Gashadokuro

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  1. The gashadokuro is a type of Japanese yokai. It’s a large skeleton that is made up of the skulls of people who died in battle or received an improper burial. They wander the countryside at night, looking for people to eat.[59]
    • One Reddit user adds, “There is a way to know of their approach, as the victim would hear the sound of loud ringing in the ear. The gashadokuro are said to possess the powers of invisibility and indestructibility, though Shinto charms are said to ward them off.”
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60

Tengu

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  1. According to Bermudez, in Japanese mythology, “Tengu [are] supernatural mountain beings originally depicted as bird-like demons, later evolving into humanoid figures with long noses. They’re often skilled warriors or tricksters who test human arrogance.”[60]
61

Aswang

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  1. Bermudez says, “The Aswang [is] a shape-shifting creature often described as a vampire-like monster that feeds on humans” in Filipino folklore.[61] “Aswang” is an umbrella term for different types of malevolent creatures. They typically appear as normal people during the day and take on monstrous forms at night.
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62

Goatman

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  1. The goatman is an American cryptid and is typically depicted with a humanoid body and the head and horns of a goat. Multiple goatmen have been reported around the country, most notably the demonic entity that supposedly haunts Old Alton Bridge in Denton, Texas. A goatman in Maryland reportedly carries around an axe.[62]
    • In this Buzzfeed Unsolved YouTube video, ghost hunter Ryan Bergara explains that there are many theories surrounding the Texas Goatman. One is that it is a demon that was summoned by Satanic rituals performed on the bridge. Another story claims that a Black goat farmer was hanged on the bridge by the KKK, and he returned from the dead as the goatman.
63

Golem

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  1. The golem is an animated creature made from mud or clay, according to Jewish folklore. Golems are brought to life through special rituals and are typically used to defend their community.[63]
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64

Rougarou

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  1. The rougarou is similar to a werewolf. It’s a shapeshifting wolf-like creature from Creole folklore and is typically depicted as having a human body and the head of a wolf or dog. The rougarou does not need the full moon to change, and is instead cursed to transform for 101 days unless it can transfer the curse to someone else.[64]
65

Draugr

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  1. In Norse mythology, a draugr is similar to a ghost or a zombie. It’s an undead creature that rises from the grave. Draugr typically have superhuman strength and the ability to shapeshift. They often hoard the treasure that was buried with them.[65]
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66

Penanggalan

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  1. According to Malay folklore, the penanggalan appears as a beautiful woman during the day, but at night, her head and organs detach from her torso and fly around to hunt for victims. She typically feeds on babies and pregnant women.[66]
67

Cyclops

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  1. In Greek mythology, cyclops are giant humanoids with only one eye in the center of their forehead. There are generally two types of cyclops: those who are excellent craftsmen and those who are man-eating monsters.[67]
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68

Succubus/Incubus

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  1. Originating in European folklore, a succubus is a female demon who seduces men and drains them of their life force through sexual encounters. The male equivalent of a succubus is an incubus.[68]
69

Gnome

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  1. Though mostly known for being lawn decorations in modern times, gnomes were actually popularized in the 16th century by Swiss alchemist Paracelsus. They’re elemental beings who appear as small men. They can move through rock and soil and protect underground minerals.[69]
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70

Anansi

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  1. According to West African mythology, Anansi is a shapeshifting trickster who often appears as a spider. He’s incredibly smart and, in many legends, uses his wit to best his enemies.[70]
71

Wampus Cat

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  1. In Cherokee folklore, the Wampus cat is a large feline with glowing eyes and (sometimes) 6 legs.[71] When it screams, it sounds like a human woman. According to legend, the Wampus cat was originally a woman who disguised herself with a mountain lion pelt to spy on medicine men. When they caught her, they cursed her by transforming her into a half-feline creature.
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72

Fenrir

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  1. Fenrir is a monstrous wolf from Norse mythology. He’s the son of the trickster god Loki and the giantess Angrboða. Because of how large and strong he is, the gods restrained him. According to legend, at Ragnarok (the end of the world), he will escape his chains and devour the sun and/or Odin.[72]
73

Duende

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  1. Duendes appear in Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American folklore. They’re mischievous, goblin-like creatures that are often described as looking like small children with the faces of old men. They’re typically tricksters, but they can be helpful if respected or aggressive if disrespected.[73]
    • A user in the r/asklatinamerica subreddit adds, “Sightings are common in rural regions. I’ve never heard of them being benevolent or malevolent. [They] just play tricks on people that go too far into the wilderness.”
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74

Orc

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  1. Orcs are brutish, aggressive humanoids who are often depicted with large tusks and green or gray skin. Though he didn’t invent them, famed fantasy author J. R. R. Tolkien popularized orcs after including them in The Lord of the Rings.[74]
75

Kappa

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  1. The kappa is a reptilian yokai from Japanese mythology. It has scales all over its body, a turtle shell, and a concave head that holds water. Many myths say that if all the water spills, the kappa will die or lose its powers. Kappa are mischievous creatures who often drown children and livestock.[75]
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76

Leshy

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  1. The leshy is a shapeshifting nature spirit from Slavic mythology. The leshy acts as the guardian of the forest and typically appears as an old man with glowing green eyes and hair made of grass. He can transform into different animals and even the wind itself. He’s often heard laughing and singing in the forest, and he likes to play tricks on people.[76]
77

Church Grim

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  1. According to European legend, the church grim is a ghostly black dog that protects churchyards from thieves and vandals. It’s believed that the first person buried in a churchyard will become the grim and guard the area for eternity. To prevent this, people may have buried a dog alive before burying the first person.[77]
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78

Dwarf

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  1. In Norse folklore, dwarves are renowned metalworkers and craftsmen who were originally formed as maggots that lived in the rotting flesh of the giant Ymir. The gods then gave them human form and intelligence. They were originally depicted as full-sized humans, but over time, they developed into short, bearded humanoids.[78]
79

Yamata no Orochi

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  1. Yamata no Orochi is an eight-headed, eight-tailed serpent from Japanese mythology. Its body is covered in moss, and it’s so large that trees grow on its back. It supposedly enjoys drinking alcohol and consuming human flesh, and it first appeared in the Kojiki and Nihongi, Japan’s earliest written documents.[79]
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80

Grootslang

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  1. According to South African legend, the Grootslang is a half-elephant, half-serpent creature believed to be as old as the Earth itself. When the gods made the Grootslang, they realized it was too powerful and too intelligent, so they split it in two, creating elephants and snakes. One Grootslang escaped, however, and all other surviving Grootslangs are descended from it.[80]
    • “Fun fact, Grootslang literally just means ‘Big Snake,’” shares one Reddit user.
81

Kishi

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  1. African mythology and folklore experts Adeche Atelier explain, “Kishi is described as an attractive half-man, half-animal being that uses its charm to lure beautiful women into marriage in order to raise flesh-eating children. It has an incredibly strong jaw, and once it bites its victim, it is said to be impossible to pull the creature off. It can be warded off by fire or magic and can be killed with ordinary weapons.”[81]
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82

Encantado

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  1. According to Brazilian folklore, the encantado is a shapeshifting pink Amazon river dolphin. At night, it transforms into a handsome man to seduce and impregnate women. However, its blowhole remains, usually appearing as a hole in a bald spot on top of its head. The encantado usually wears a wide-brimmed hat to hide this.[82]
83

Pontianak

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  1. In Malay and Indonesian folklore, the Pontianak is the vampiric, vengeful spirit of a woman who died while pregnant or during childbirth. She appears as a beautiful woman, but when her victims get closer, she transforms into a terrifying creature with red eyes and sharp fingernails. Her presence is announced by the sound of a baby crying—if the sound is soft, she’s nearby, and if it’s loud, she’s far away.[83]
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84

Ammit

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  1. In ancient Egyptian mythology, Ammit was a fearsome female demon known as the Devourer of the Dead. She sat beneath the Scales of Justice to consume the hearts of the unworthy, preventing them from achieving eternal life. She was the personification of punishment.[84]
85

Cactus Cat

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  1. The Cactus Cat is a cryptid believed to live in the American Southwest. It resembles a bobcat but has thorn-like fur covering its body. It’s believed to cut open cacti to drink the fermented sap, which makes it stagger around and wail at night, as if intoxicated.[85]
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86

Obayifo

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  1. Adeche Atelier say, “Obayifo is described as a being possessed by an evil spirit and practicing dark spiritual powers, and it is said to emit a glowing light at night when moving between villages. It is believed to feed on the life force or blood of children, and is known to cause illness, crop failure, and misfortune. It is often associated with envy, jealousy, and hidden malice, and is thought to have the ability to leave its body at night and travel in spirit form.”[86]
87

Patasola

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  1. In Colombian and South American folklore, La Patasola is a female monster who appears as a beautiful woman to lure in victims. She brings them into the forest, then reveals her true appearance, which features a single, twisted leg, a single breast, a hooked nose, and cat-like fangs. According to legend, she was originally a beautiful woman whose husband cut off one of her legs when he discovered she was cheating on him.[87]
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88

Yowie

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  1. The yowie is an ape-like creature from Aboriginal Australian folklore, similar to the sasquatch. It’s extremely tall and leaves behind large footprints. The yowie is believed to live in the Outback and has been described as both reclusive and aggressive.[88]
89

Squonk

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  1. The squonk is an American cryptid believed to live in the forests of Pennsylvania. It’s said to be so ugly that it cries out of insecurity. When cornered by hunters or predators, it dissolves into a puddle of tears to escape.[89] One Reddit user jokes, “I’d cry if I looked like that, too.”
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90

Snallygaster

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  1. The snallygaster is an American cryptid based in Fredrick County, Maryland. It’s described as a half-bird, half-reptile beast with razor-sharp teeth, a beak, and sometimes tentacles. It supposedly eats or sucks the blood of livestock, pets, and children.[90] Some Redditors note that the legend was originally used to “keep slaves in line.”
91

Will o’ the Wisp

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  1. Will o’ the wisps are ghostly orbs that appear at night in bogs and forests. They’re believed to be fairies, mischievous spirits, or the souls of the dead, and they intentionally lead travelers astray. They’re mostly associated with Scottish folklore, though versions of these creatures appear in folklore around the world.[91]
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92

Wyrm

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  1. Wyrms are similar to dragons, though they resemble large snakes. They’re depicted as legless, wingless, serpent-like beasts. They typically live in swamps or caves, and like traditional European dragons, are greedy and hoard gold. They breathe toxic fumes or emit toxic venom rather than breathing fire.[92]
93

Abada

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  1. In Central African folklore, the abada is a creature similar to the unicorn. It has a body similar to a donkey, the tail of a boar, and two crooked horns on its head. According to legend, these horns give it the ability to counteract poison and cure disease.[93]
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94

Tikbalang

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  1. In Filipino folklore, the Tikbalang is “a tall humanoid creature with the head and hooves of a horse that is said to lead travelers astray in the forest,” explains Bermudez.[94]
95

Bai Ze

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  1. The Bai Ze is a divine beast from Chinese mythology. According to legend, it knows everything about all the monsters and supernatural beings in the world and worked with the Yellow Emperor to catalogue all of them so humanity could learn about them.[95]
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96

Nahual

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  1. In Mexican mythology, a nahual is a witch that shapeshifts into different animals. They typically transform into jaguars or black dogs, and they’re believed to use their powers for evil. Nahuales originated from Aztec culture.[96]
    • One Redditor describes a supposed encounter with a nahual: “I lived in Mexico for a couple years and my cousin (who everyone swears is a skeptic) saw a man turning into an owl. Freaked him out completely. It’s very common among ‘brujos,’ or people that do witchcraft.”
97

Behemoth

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  1. In Judeo-Christian mythology, the Behemoth is a giant, primordial monster that is unconquerable by humans. It’s incredibly strong and is described as having a tail like a cedar tree and bones of bronze. Many speculate it was inspired by a hippopotamus.[97]
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98

Bugbear

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  1. In European folklore, a bugbear is a type of hobgoblin that is similar to the bogeyman in that it is used to scare children into behaving. Traditionally, bugbears were depicted as large, bear-like demons that lurked in dark places, like in the woods or under beds, to kidnap or eat misbehaving children.[98]
99

Werehyena

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  1. In African mythology, a werehyena is a creature that shapeshifts between a hyena and a human. Unlike werewolves, which are originally human, werehyenas are hyenas in disguise. They appear as humans during the day and change into their animal form at night to terrorize or attack people.[99]
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100

Pooka

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  1. The pooka (also spelled “puca” or “phooka”) is a shapeshifter from Celtic mythology. Pookas can take the form of all kinds of animals and are known to cause mischief, though they’re not inherently malevolent.[100]

Join the Discussion...

What's the strongest mythical creature in your opinion?
Dev Murphy
Dev Murphy
While there's no way to know for sure which mythical creature is the strongest, we've rounded up a list of the most powerful creatures in mythology from various cultures and an explanation of their unique abilities.
  • Dragon: it's big, powerful, and very intelligent. And it breathes fire? And it can fly? Seems obvious to us!
  • Kraken: an underwater beast that can drag entire ships to a watery grave? Say no more.
  • Yeti: the giant ape-like creature is said to live in the Himalayas, and like his American cousin, the Sasquatch, he's allegedly incredibly strong!
  • Manticore: this creature from Persian myth has a lion's body, a human face, and a scorpion's tail, and is known for its strength and tyranny.
  • Oni: the Oni are demon-like ogres from Japanese lore, and they're infamous for their strength, their grotesque appearance, and their malevolence.
  • Cerberus: the three-headed dog from Greek mythology acts as the guardian of the underworld—you'd have to be pretty strong to do that, right?
Which do you think is the strongest mythological creature? We want to know!
Anonymous WikiIbis
Anonymous WikiIbis
Dragons appear in different forms in myths and legends from all around the world from Britain with the red welsh dragon that fought a white dragon protecting the people which led to being put on the welsh flag to Korea with the imugi which is wise, caring and can grant wishes using its yeouiju to Western Africa with the Aida-Hwedo which in its legend holds up the earth to China with the story of the long to Ancient Greece with the dragon in the story of Jason and the argonauts and if you consider a giant snake a dragon the ancient Egyptians had Apophis (also spelled Apep) which tried to swallow the sun but failed
See all 3 Replies and
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About This Article

Sydney Bermudez
Co-authored by:
Sydney Bermudez
Folklore Expert
This article was co-authored by Sydney Bermudez and by wikiHow staff writer, Raven Minyard, BA. Sydney Bermudez is a horror content creator and Mexican folklore and urban legends expert. Sydney is a storyteller, who crafts engaging narratives that explore paranormal cases, internet mysteries, and psychological horror. She shares content on TikTok and Instagram to over 400k followers. Sydney specializes in horror storytelling, Mexican folklore, creepy pastas and urban legends, and is interested in how horror intersects with pop culture, social media trends, and modern myth-making. Her videos have received over 12 million likes on TikTok, with some videos reaching over 10 million views. This article has been viewed 13,197 times.
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