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Amphisien
The Amphisien is sometimes considered an alternative name for the Cockatrice used in European Heraldry. They resemble a Cockatrice, a reptilian creature with a rooster head, but they have a second head at the end of their tails much like the Amphisbaena. A glance from this creature can kill someone or turn them to stone. They made an intimidating emblem on medieval shields. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Elvin, Charles Norton. A Dictionary of Heraldry. United States, Genealogical.com, 2009. Matthews, John, and Matthews, Caitlin. The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A–Z of Fantastic Beings…
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Amarok
The Amarok are creatures from Inuit myth. They’re giant lone wolves that stalks hunters at night. They attack humans and remove the victims heads. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Alp/Alpen(plural)
The Alpen are demonic creatures from Germany. They are typically male, though they can be female, and they very commonly are seen wearing white hats which are the source of their power, and stealing this hat can cause them serious trouble. Sometimes they are thought to be the spirits of dead newborns, spirits of children who died immediately after a difficult birth, or the souls of returning family members. They are powerful shapeshifters that lack a true form. They can take the form of any animal but commonly appear as birds, cats, dogs, pigs, and snakes. They may also take the form of a Black Dog, or a cloud of mist.…
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Alma/Almasti
The Alma is a form of hairy hominid which has been sighted along the Caucasus mountains throughout Asia. They largely live in the mountains or the Gobi Desert. They stand 5 to 6 and a half feet tall and are covered in reddish brown curly hair which covers everything except their hands and faces. They have prominent brow ridges and cheekbones, flat noses, and jutting lower jaws without visible chins. They have long arms, walk upright with bent knees, and the big toes curve inward and are shorter than the other toes. Their fingernails and toenails resemble those of humans. They eat grass and wild vegetables. Its name translates to “wild…
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Loz Alcazares Pudgy Aliens
The Loz Alcazares Pudgy Aliens were sighted on the Loz Alcazares Army Base in Murcia, Spain April, 1966 at 2:00 am. The witness was a soldier who witnessed two figures crossing a nearby highway into a grove of date palms. The beings were 65 cm tall, humanoids with pronounced stomachs and butts. They had short legs and long arms. Their heads were shaped like inverted pears and they wore phosphorescent yellow goggles and nothing else. They were green in color and had no visible sex organs. The witness was panicked and excited by the encounter. Citations: Rosales, Albert. Humanoid Encounters 1965-1969: The Others Amongst Us. N.p., CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform,…
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Alan
The Alan are creatures from the Tinguian people of the Philippines. They’re described as semi-supernatural humanoids with bird-like qualities. They are thought to have wings, as well as fingers and toes that point backward. It’s thought they live in the jungle and heavily wooded areas, sleeping by hanging upside down from the highest tree branches. Some also believe they have homes on the ground made from pure gold. They can be malevolent or mischievous but often benevolent, sometimes seen as helpers to mythical heroes. Citations: Rose, Carol. Giants Monsters and Dragons: An Encyclopedia Of Folklore Legend And Myth. United Kingdom, WW Norton, 2001.
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Äläkwis
The Äläkwis is a form of cannibal giant covered with hair from stories of the Bella Coola people of British Columbia. They once lived like humans on King Island. They had rites like worshiping fire. Most of them were killed from genocide by their neighbors the Bella Bella. Only a few escaped to the lake near the inner section of the island. They were once witnessed fishing in a boat, but when they realized they were being watched, they broke down their boat and ran off into the woods. Citations: Annual Archæological Report. Canada, n.p, 1924. Eberhart, George M.. Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology. United Kingdom, ABC-CLIO, 2002.
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Akkorokamui/Atkor Kamuy
Akkorokamui is from Japanese mythology. This creature’s name translates to “string holding kamui,” with string holding referring to its tentacles. It resembles a red octopus measuring 10,000 square meters in size. It was thought to be capable of swallowing ships and even whales in one bite. It was revered as the god of Uchiura Bay and sailors were warned to avoid the water when the sky and sea were red. If you had to be on the water during these times, you had to carry a scythe to protect yourself by cutting the tentacles with it. The origin of this creature is that it was once a giant spider called…
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Akhlut
The Akhlut is from Inuit/Yup’ik Mythology. It is a killer whale who can turn into a wolf and hunt prey on land. It can be identified by wolf tracks that head into the sea. Citations: Sullivan, Irene F., and Gill, Sam D.. Dictionary of Native American Mythology. United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 1994.
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Aka Manto/Aoi Manto/ Aka Kami/Aoi Hanten/Aoi Kami
Aka Manto is from Japan and is considered to be from modern folklore and urban legend. He haunts women’s restrooms. He stays in the furthest stall and ask the next occupant over if they want blue or red paper. If blue is picked, he hangs the woman. If red is picked, he slashes the woman repeatedly across the back with a blade. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016
