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Poo
The Poo is a monster from the legends of the Waray people in the Philippines. They are a variation of Aswang that look like a normal person, and have no distinctions like wings or fangs. They are described as being similar to the Wakwak, but this can mean a number of different things across various cultures in the Philippines. They are thought to come out at the full moon. They will shout “poo” when still far from a house and say it again as they gets closer. By the fourth “poo” they will be inside the house. They will steal a child if that parents don’t wake up but will…
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Pontarf
The Pontarf is a monster from Medieval times in Europe. It was used as a bogeyman figure who snatched up unattended children. It is described as a giant fish who is found off the coast of Europe, that can stretch its body to steal children no matter how far inland they are. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Pongo
The Pongo was a massive creature from medieval times in Sicily. It was described as a giant sea monster combining a tiger and a shark. It was believed to have consumed over five hundred people and kept a twenty mile perimeter around the island, attempting to make Sicily uninhabitable. It was eventually killed by the three sons of Saint George. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Bassett, Fletcher S.. Legends and Superstitions of the Sea and of Sailors in All Lands and at All Times. United Kingdom, S. Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington, 1885.
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Poltergeist
The Poltergeist is a form of ghost whose name means “noisy ghost” in German. They make their presence known by moving things, breaking things, and even interacting physically with the living. Often they are defined as ghosts that cause mischief, sometimes unexplainable noises. They are sometimes believed in modern days to not be actual creatures, but examples of a phenomenon called RSPK, meaning Recurrent Spontaneous Psychokinesis. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. 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.
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Polaski Aliens
The Polaski Aliens were strange alien beings sighted in Greensburg Pennsylvania in 1973. They were seen by a farmer who sighted a bright red ufo hovering over his field. He went to investigate with his two children, when the light flew low and they got out of their car. The UFO then flew towards them and it was noted to have sounded like a lawnmower. While the witnesses were watching the UFO, one of the children saw two bear-like, seven foot tall creatures with dark hair and yellowish green eyes standing behind a nearby fence. They smelled like burning rubber and made a noise like a whining baby. These figures…
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Pishtaco
The Pishtaco is a legend from Peru and the Andes Mountains. They are described as looking like tall white men wearing long white coats which they use to hide knives. They are known to be aggressive and are considered very powerful. They sleep a lot and drink large amounts of milk. They are known to steal children, and sever their heads and limbs until there’s only a torso. They remove the body fat from their victims to run machinery and cover church bells. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2017.
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Piranu
The Piranu is an aggressive and territorial form of monstrous fish from Argentina. They have large black fish-like bodies with the heads of horses and large eyes. They live in deep freshwater rivers, and ram any boats which gets too close. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Piast/Biast/Bestia
The Piast is a monstrous creature from Irish myth. They are described as giant lake monsters, being part salmon and part serpent. They are also thought to be capable of breathing fire. It is believed Piast are one of the kinds of monsters banished by St. Patrick until judgment day. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Phantom Clowns/Killer Clowns
The Phantom Clowns are an odd phenomenon encountered in New England, 1981. Many others were seen in various locations during the spring of 1981. Witnesses described various clowns attempting to lure away children, often into vans. They were noted to have targeted elementary school children, often trying to lure children in with candy. Some brandished weapons. They evaded capture and detection by any, other than potential victims. Despite their name, they are believed to be flesh and blood. They do however add a layer of validity to a larger Urban Legend of killer clowns. Citations: American Myths, Legends, and Tall Tales: An Encyclopedia of American Folklore [3 Volumes]: An Encyclopedia…
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Pesanta
The Peasant is a strange creature from Catalonian myth. They act similar to the Alp or Mara, sitting on peoples chest at night. This action causes nightmares and breathing troubles. They appear as giant black dogs or cats. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
