-
Demon
A Demon is a form of dark spirit. The term means “replete with wisdom” and comes from the Greek word Daimon. Some cultures had demonic figures that were not necessarily evil, such as Egypt. Demons at large are well documented in ancient Middle Eastern cultures and it is thought that Hebrews absorbed some knowledge of Demons from Mesopotamia. Sometimes Demons are believed to have been spawned by Lillith, who was to be the first wife of Adam in Jewish beliefs. Christianisation often describes all pagan gods and spirits as demons despite their attributes. The idea is that they are disguises meant to trick humans into worshiping someone other than God.…
-
Conjoined Giants/Denecho Keníhshon
The Conjoined Giants come from a story in Slavey myth. After the figure Wolverine stole a child, this child accidentally mistook these giants for his grandparents. They were connected at the back and faced opposite directions. They were dragging a giant toboggan. They were known to eat humans and ate the boy who had been stolen. Thankfully the father of the boy prayed for his son’s resurrection. Unfortunately, the boy made the same mistake and died again, but this time he wasn’t brought back. The boy’s father tricked them into killing each other by shooting an arrow at them while they were covered by a blanket. This caused each to…
-
Choleree
Choleree is a monster from Evens mythology in Siberia. He was described as an ogre having one arm, one leg, one eye in the center of the forehead, and iron teeth that he constantly gnashed. He appeared in a story about a brother and sister. He asked the sister if she could live with them, and the girl agreed. She snuck Choleree into their home. He locked away all the brother’s loyal animals and told the brother to wash himself so Choleree could eat his liver and innards. A duck the brother had spared came and freed his two bears, two wolves, and two foxes. The animals instructed the brother…
-
Bifrost/Asabridge/Asbru
The Bifrost is a magical location from Norse mythology. It’s translated as “rainbow bridge” or “the trembling way.” It’s thought to connect the earth, Midgard, to the world of the gods, Asgard, by spanning across the sky. It’s constructed of three fragile-looking strands of air, fire, and water, though despite its weak-looking structure it’s impossibly durable. It’s believed that the god Heimdall guarded the bridge to prevent the Jötnar from crossing. He was given this duty due to his remarkable senses, and since he has a magic horn to alert the entire nine realms of danger. Most all the gods use to bridge to travel on horseback, aside from Thor…
-
Obour
The Obour is a form of vampire from Bulgaria. When a person is murdered, their spirit suddenly leaves their body only to attempt to re-enter the body later to find it dead. Nine days after burial, the Obour leaves the grave in the form of a supernatural fireball with telekinetic abilities. If these spirits become too harmful they may be captured and bottled by a Djadadjii. They attack anyone who bites cow udders for blood and milk, manipulate shadows to do obscene things, smear feces on holy things, and make random loud noises. This ethereal vandalism continues for forty days before the Obour rises from the grave in its physical…
-
Oupire
The Oupire is a form of vampiric creature from Moravia. They returned from the dead to prey on their villages and families, spreading plague with their bite. They are known to attack humans and livestock. Citations: Maberry, Jonathan, and Kramer, David F.. THEY BITE. United States, Citadel Press, 2009.
You May Also Like
Fext/Kostlivec
-
Medawlinno
The Medawlinno are spiritually powerful individuals from Abenaki belief. They can locate wild game, leave footprints in rock, and cure people of illness. They often use drums, and preside over weddings, funerals, and other ceremonies. Music is a very significant too for the Medawlinno, and they can use this to communicate with spirits. Citations: Caduto, Michael J.. A Time Before New Hampshire: The Story of a Land and Native Peoples. Lebanon, University of New Hampshire, 2003. Gill, Sam D., and Sullivan, Irene F.. Dictionary of Native American Mythology. United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 1994.
-
Upior
The Upior is a form of vampire from Polish myth and was a common belief among the Ruthenian people. This term is a reinterpretation of the Russian Upyr into Polish myth in the seventeenth century. They are sometimes believed to be dead people possessed by the devil often described as swollen blood-filled corpses. This blood-filled appearance led to the phrase “red as an Upior” becoming popular. Someone born with two hearts, who later grows evil was thought to become an Upior. Corpses suspected to be at risk of rising would be staked in the heart, burned, decapitated and staked, or have pig manure stuffed in their mouths. It was also…
You May Also Like
Upier/Upierczi(pl)
-
Zmeu
The Zmeu is from the myths of Romania and the Balkans. They take the form of a flying ball of light to hunt prey. In Romania they take the form of handsome men. They seduce female victims and drains their life force from them. In the Balkans they are believed to take the form of a scaly ogre who can shapeshift into various animals. Citations: Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt Us, and Hunger for Us. United States, Kensington Publishing Corporation, 2006.
-
Ziz
The Ziz is mentioned in the Bible, in the book of Psalms. They are giant bird creatures which are five hundred miles tall. Their wings are large enough to block out the sun when spread and cause an eclipse. One female Ziz dropped a giant egg that destroyed three hundred cedar trees and flooded three cities. They were originally created to protect a species of bird now extinct. They will be eaten by righteous people at the day of judgement. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
