Name some mythological beings and where I can get information on them... I'm writing a book!?

Question

I'm writing an encyclopedia type of book on myth, folklore and beliefs. All and any suggestions would be helpful!

Gimme a good one! I don't want to hear vampire or unicorn 35 times!!!

I'm looking for stuff I HAVEN'T heard of!

Why can NOONE give me creatures I don't already know about?? I've gotten like 12 answers to this question and all of them are things I've already written about...

And yes I know plenty. I am simply looking for suggestions on different beings. I've covered Greek, Roman, Irish and some Native American Mythology... I'm looking for more! Who can name one I don't know about??

Answer 1

Basilisk- This creature looks like giant lizard with four pairs of legs. It's gaze will turn any living creature to stone. This creature comes from medieval legends.
Chimera: This strange beast comes out of Greek legends. It is said to have the head of a goat, lion, and dragon (or snake depending on the source)with various different parts of the three beasts making up the rest of the animal. One legend tells of Bellerophon (Greek hero) taming Pegasus to aid him in battle against the Chimera.
Cockatrice: This creatures looks like a strange cross between a rooster and a dragon or snake. It's gaze can turn a person to stone. Often in legend this creature is confused with the Basilisk.
Dryads: The Dryads: (Dryades, Hamadryades,) are female spirits of nature who preside over the groves and forests. Each one is born with a certain tree over which she watches - she comes into existence with it and often lives in a tree.

Ganesha: Ganesha or Ganapati is an extremely popular God in India. People mostly worship Him asking for success in undertakings, and intelligence. He is worshipped before any venture is started. He is also the God of education, knowledge and wisdom, literature, and the fine arts. Hippocampus: The Hippocampus is a horse with the back half of a fish. This creature springs from Greek legends.
Hippocampus: The Hippocampus is a horse with the back half of a fish. This creature springs from Greek legends.

Naga: The Naga looks like a snake but has the head of a human. They are used as temple guardians in some fantasy stories and roleplaying games. Nagas originate from India. Naiads: (Naiades) were nymphs of bodies of fresh water and were one of the three main classes of water nymphs - the others being the Nereids (nymphs of the Mediterranean Sea) and the Oceanids (nymphs of the oceans). The Naiads presided over rivers, streams, brooks, springs, fountains, lakes, ponds, wells, and marshes. They were divided into various subclasses: Crinaeae (fountains), Pegaeae (springs), Eleionomae (marshes), Potameides (rivers), and Limnades or Limnatides (lakes).
Satyr: A man with the legs and tail of a goat. Stemming from Greek legends they are said to like music which they would play from their pipes as they danced in the woodland glens. They are also thought to be quite promiscuous and lustful.
Selkie: A shapeshifting folk that can change from human into seals. It is said that they dwell in the Northern seas around the Orkney islands.
Sleipnir: Sleipnir was an eight legged horse that was able to travel through the sea and air. It served as steed to the great Norse god Odin. This creature was the child of Loki(Norse god trickster) and a mighty stallion.

Answer 2

Have you heard of :
Skiapodes (they were always holding a big foot in front of them)
Sternofthalmoi (they had no head but eyes were located at their breast)
Kynokefaloi (human beings but with dog head)
If not , there is a book but is written in Greek by Professor Charalambos Chotzakoglou. Editions Museum of Monastery of Kykkos at Cyprus, Lefkosia 2003
I indicate here some of sources the Professor has used and is in English so you can see how they were:
www.atomicbombcinema.com/english/image_gallery/art/art-08_detail.html
www.courses.rochester.edu.hahn/ENG557/Images/Monstrosity/
Sciapod-Apoc1.jpg
www.courses.rochester.edu/hahn/ENG/Images/Monstrosity/Races-NatBuch1.jpg
There are several literature sources related to these 3 types of mythological creatures providing information since the ancient years. If you find them useful and you have not already written about them just contact me. I can fax you or email the whole bibliography list I have found in this book.
Good luck!

Answer 3

Very interesting, I would be interested in reading your book. I will name some but not sure if you heard of them already. Medusa, Sphinx, mermaids, cyclones, giants, centuars, phoenix, griffins, kami's, nymphs, onis (japenese demons), the amazon warriors, grendal from beowulf, the basalisk, and the bonnacon.

You want to get a book about the Bestiaries, it was a coffee table boo for the middle ages, filled with ilustrated collections and manuscripts concerning legendary animals. All sorts of mythological beasts of varying degrees and danger. Some bizarre, toxic, and deadly. I'm sure you'll love!! LOL

Answer 4

Giants
Golem
Genies
(if you look in Patricia C Wrede's books, there's something called a Jinn, similar to a Genie)

Stormwings (things that are made up in dreams and nightmares and come to life)--from The Immortals series, by Tamora Pierce
Darkings--Tamora Pierce, Immortals series, Divine Realms (i think thats the title)

there are winged horses in Tamora Peirce's series, but they arent pegasi.

Harpi

Gorgon

Mandrake

Manticore

Minotaur (Voyage of the Basset)

Orc (LOTR)

Sphinx

Gryphon

Imps

loch ness monster

Lycanthrope

anthropomorphic creatures

Poltergeist

differences from dwarves, elves, and gnomes

Druids

Cerberus (Who had THREE heads, not TWO)

Grim Reaper

God of Death

different deities, like Mithra, etc

Venus

any of the legendary zodiac signs, like sagittarius

Basilisk

Banshee

Behn Niagh (i cant spell this one, its pronounced ben nya...kind of like a ghost stuck on earth forever because of unfinished or unforgiving actions)

cyclops (Iliad)

Muse (Muses)

Fawn/Faun

Centaur

(CS Lewis books, Tamora Pierce series, Patricia C Wrede, Harry Potter, Bruce Coville, Terry Brooks, Robert Jordan characters, Brian Froud, etc)

Answer 5

Good sites to start with:
http://www.endicott-studio.com/
http://www.worldoffroud.com/index.html

Some books that may be of interests and/or help are:
1.Faeries by Brian Froud
2.Fantasy Encyclopedia by Judy Allen
3.The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A-Z of Fantastic Beings From Myth and Magic by by John Matthews and Caitlin Matthews

Also, check with any cultural anthopolgists persons and/or sites, as there are tons of exisiting and extinct peoples...try starting with the various creation myths, too.

I hope these help.

Answer 6

Are you seriously writing a book about topic you don't know anything about???

It's called go look it up darling.

That said, how about some of the greek mythological beings - Cerebus (dog with 2 heads).

Or Mermaids

The Phoenix

There's a start for you.

Try googling: Mythological Beings and you'll end up with a list.

And good luck! It sounds like you've got one huge task ahead of you.

If you want more help, try offering to thank us in the credits section of your book,.

Answer 7

Try Google
Scandanivan Mythology, Chinese Mythology and Indian Mythology to name 3 sources

Answer 8

Now, how do you expect anyone to know what YOU do or do NOT KNOW????

During the 2nd World War there were things called Gremlins - they caused trouble for airplanes & ships. What about Elves, Evil Spirits, Trolls, Banshees, Hooligans, Headless Horsemen, Harpy, Demon, Satyr, Sylph, Seraphim.

Good hunting!

Answer 9

dragons, griffins, dwarves, fairies, elves, nymphs, oni, wraiths, seraphs, .......

theres dozens more, but if you hit up wikipedia, they'll probably have a HUGE list for you. good luck, and lemme know when the book is done!

( i kinda like the ones from greek mythology because they sort of harken to a "time" when gods and men and mythical things all intermingled. the other ones i really like are the religious themed ones, because the idea is that religion is something most ppl believe in, so these ideas must be rooted in their beliefs, and have some kind of credibility with them).

Answer 10

try italy...especially the island of sardinia, there are enourmous tombs said to have been built by giants and the legend of Maria Punta a'oru. there is also this creature of darkness that ppl calls the black man or mommotti, that will eat children. there is all historical links to these aswell. also they have some interesting animals in the Grotte del Bue Marino. there are apparently eels that are blind and nearly transparent, but will emanate a bluish light...try it out. if you are not satisfied come back for more and we will give you a refund! xxx