B
B
Ba She
Ba She is a monstrous creature in the form of a snake large enough to swallow an elephant. When it does however, it takes three years for it to digest the elephants body. It is typically described as resembling a python and is either black with a green head, or black, red, green, and yellow. It is believed that carrying Ba She skin in contact with your own skin will prevent lung problems.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
Baba
Baba is a mythical figure from Slavic myth. The name Baba generally translates to “old woman” or “grandmother.” She was sometimes revered as a goddess of death and regeneration, with Baba sometimes relating to the concept of the mother goddess. Over time she was viewed more as a witch, and her status as a deity was removed likely due to Christianization. As her witch-like features were emphasized, she became a more monstrous figure. She gradually went from a general Fae-like being to those synonymous with hags. Sometimes she would be used as a bogeyman figure. She was depicted either as a beautiful maiden or an ugly hag. The hag aspect represented death, while the maiden represented her aspects of regeneration. Sometimes she is shown to hunt and eat children. but other times she pushed and guided heroes to achieve their goals giving them magical gifts.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Fairies in World Folklore and Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2013.
Zlatic, Vladimir. Slavic Mythology: Demons in Serbian Folklore. N.p., Amazon Digital Services LLC – KDP Print US, 2021.
Baba Roga/Babaroga
Baba Roga is a Slavic creature from Serbia. She resembles a hunched, ugly, toothless, old woman with a horn in the middle of her head. She hides in dark places and only comes out at night. She scares bad children and takes them back to her lair. She functions as a bogeyman figure. Her name roughly translates to “horned grandma.”
Citations:
Zlatic, Vladimir. Slavic Mythology: Demons in Serbian Folklore. N.P., Amazon Digital Services LLC – KDP Print US, 2021.
Babe The Blue Ox
Babe the Blue Ox is a well known figure from Lumberjack folklore. He was found as a calf by Paul Bunyan after it fell in Lake Michigan during the Winter Of The Blue Snow. He’s thought to be large enough to break through several feet of ice. He has an incredible appetite and could even eat a metal pot. He has bright blue hair, a black nose, and horns that were white except for the tip where they became brown, and he quickly grew to massive sizes.
Citations:
Rees, Ennis, and Robert Osborn. The Song of Paul Bunyan & Tony Beaver. Pantheon Books, 1964.
Bahia Blanca Alien
The Bahia Blanca Alien was sighted in Arroyo Pareja, Bahia Blanca, Argentina. The encounter occurred on July 31, 2002 at 6:45 p.m. The 23 year old witness named Julian Pereyra was in his vehicle when he saw red spheres flying low over the nearby woods. The spheres descended into the trees and he approached 15 minutes later with others. The group saw a tall figure floating above the ground wearing a white cape-like garment that glowed. It had a visor on its face with two red beams emerging where the eyes would be. It glided silently over a field and the witnesses watched the figure for thirty minutes along with many cats and dogs who joined to observe. The figure eventually left and disappeared into the distance.
Citations:
Rosales, Albert S. Humanoid Encounters 2000-2009: The Others Amongst Us. N.p., Amazon Digital Services LLC – Kdp, 2021.
Bai Ze
Bai Ze is from Chinese mythology. This creature’s name translates to “white marsh,” and it resembles a large white lion with one or two horns and sometimes an extra set of eyes either on its face or its back. It is believed to have appeared to the Yellow Emperor and told him that it appeared only to auspicious emperors. The emperor discovered that this creature knew about many supernatural creatures and had knowledge of how to destroy them. With this information a book known as the Bai Ze Tu was created.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
Bait Robbers
Bait Robbers are from Lumberjack Folklore. They have the “scientific” name is Vermisvulpes vancerandolphi. They are round, light, and airy creatures which resemble a large bubble with arms, eyes, a nose, a mouth, and horns. They have no legs, as they don’t need them since they live solely underwater. They grab worms from fishhooks without being detected, and then feed the worms to small fish that can’t get it from the hook. They then jerk the hook to trick the fisherman into rebaiting the hook and trying again.
Citations:
Yarns of the Big Woods, Written and Illustrated by Art Childs
Baital
Baitals are creatures that resemble human bat hybrids, stand four to seven feet tall, have short stubby tails, and are often depicted drinking blood from human skulls used as cups. These creatures are so horrific to look at that seeing them makes people dizzy, sick, or even render them unconscious. They can be found hanging from trees in the jungle near graveyards. They have a taste for human flesh but are intelligent enough to possess human corpses and use them to interact with humans.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
Bajang
The Bajang is a vampiric creature from Malaysia. It can be summoned by a sorcerer using the body of a stillborn baby taken from their family. Some claim it to be the male counterpart to a creature called the Langsuir. They can sometimes be bound as a Familiar and contained in a container known as a Tabong, sealed with leaves and a magical charm. If not fed milk and eggs by its owner, it will seek children to consume. It can take the shape of a cat, polecat, or large lizard. If it takes the form of a cat and meows like a baby then that baby is destined to die. They may inflict a mysterious disease on their victims. There is no known method to kill a Bajang, but they can be warded off with certain charms and attacking its controlling sorcerer may stop it.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
Bakhtak
The Bakhtak is a creature from Iranian myth. It resembles a humanoid bear and its name translates to “nightmare.” It sneaks into houses and sits on sleeping people’s chests causing them to have horrible nightmares. It may sometimes go as far as killing its victims and eating their bodies.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
Balbal
The Balbal is from the Tagbanua people of the Philippines. This creature is a form of Aswang known to eat corpses. They glide from rooftop to rooftop with membranous wings that stretch from their wrists to their ankles, similar to those of flying squirrels. They are human shaped with long hooked nails that they use to tear open thatched roofs. They snatch up corpses or sleeping people with a long powerful tongue. They often replace the corpses they take with banana stalk doubles. They can be frightened away by placing oil on a doorway.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
Ramos, Maximo D.. Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Philippines, Phoenix Publishing House, 1990.
Ball Tailed Cat
The Ball Tailed Cat is a creature from Lumberjack Folklore. They resemble a mountain lion with abnormally long tails that have hardened masses at the end of them. They swing their tails to kill prey with the hardened mass.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
Bampu/Kykketsuki/Kyuketsuki
The Bampu is a Japanese mythical creature whose name means “bloodsucker.” Typically, this term is simply used when the European vampire has been absorbed into Japanese culture, most often in filmography.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2017.
Bush, Laurence C.. Asian Horror Encyclopedia: Asian Horror Culture in Literature, Manga, and Folklore. United States, iUniverse, 2001.
Melton, J Gordon. The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead. United Kingdom, Visible Ink Press, 2010.
Banshee/Bean Sídhe
The Banshee is a creature from Irish mythology. Once a singular ancestral spirit. Her wail announced the coming death among one of the five main families these being the O’Briens, the O’Connors, the O’Gradys, the O’Niells, and the Kavanaghs. Newer interpretations of the Banshee see them as Psychopomps that foretell death with their calls. Hearing the cry of the Banshee means that someone you know will die the following night. Some believe that groups of Banshee gather together and cry out together at the death of a great or holy person. They are rarely seen but often resemble naked women with long hanging boobs washing shrouds by the river. When away from the river they wore grey cloaks over green gowns with long white hair hanging down. They hunt for young men near the water and then lead their victims to a secluded location to drain them of blood. If you were to walk up on a Banshee who was washing, the advice is to wait for it to throw its boob over its shoulder, pretend to nurse from it, and claim to be its foster child. If she believes you, she’ll answer any question you could ask. Another way of dealing with a Banshee is to capture it and threaten it at swordpoint. If you walk upon a washing Banshee and she notices you first, she will say that she is washing the shirt of an enemy. You must then name an enemy out loud and wait for her to finish. If you stop her then the person named will die. If you fail to name an enemy, the Banshee will attack and take your blood.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
Bantu
The Bantu (this being separate from the Bantu people group) are from the Republic of Zambia. They are undead vampiric creatures. They are formed from the death of an evil person or from someone who rises from the grave due to improper burial rites. They are drawn to blood, even a singular drop. They will begin to decompose if they don’t consume enough blood. Victims often survive and wake up with a wound and no memory of the attack. If a single drop of blood falls on the ground, it must be dug up and buried in a secret location to avoid attracting the Bantu. Whoever lost the drop of blood will also require ritual purification.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2017.
Barmanu
The Barmanu is a cryptid from Pakistan. They are hairy hominids whose name means “big hairy one.” They have a terrible smell and makes guttural sounds with a primitive voice box. When locals were shown pictures of the Minnesota Iceman, they saw a similarity to the Barmanu.
Citations:
Coleman, Loren, and Clark, Jerome. Cryptozoology A To Z: The Encyclopedia of Loch Monsters Sasquatch Chupacabras and Other Authentic M. United States, Touchstone, 2013.
Baubas/Babauzis
The Baubas is a creature from Lithuanian myth. It is a monster or witch thought to carry off bad children. This creature’s name translates to “one who frightens children.” It is believed to have associations with the goddess of death (possibly Veliuona).
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
Baykok
The Baykok is from Ojibwe myth, and is though to exist in the region of the Great Lakes. Its name means “skin draped on bones” or “skeletal decomposed remains.” It is an undead creature that wanders the woods at night looking for lone people to kill so it can eat their livers. It has a club for bludgeoning and invisible arrows to fire. It incapacitates its victims before killing them and feeding on them. It was once an incredibly skilled and proud hunter that got lost in the woods and died of starvation being unable to hunt anything to eat. He swore his spirit would never leave his body.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
Bazimu
The Bazimu is a general form of ghost from the Bantu and Baryarwanda people. They are gloomy and unpleasant, and often malevolent. They typically haunt their former homes, but may sometimes be manipulated by Bapfumu sorcerers. They are seen as inferior to the Imandwa, and most often stay in Ikuzimu.
Citations:
Cotterell, Arthur. A Dictionary of World Mythology. United Kingdom, Book Club Associates, 1979.
Werner, Alice. Myths and Legends of the Bantu. United Kingdom, Cass, 1968.
Beast Of Bodmin Moor/ Beast Of Bolventor
The Beast of Bodmin Moor is a cryptid known as an Alien Big Cat from Cornwall, England. It’s believed to be a leopard-like creature with black fur. It’s often linked to mysteriously killed livestock. One sighting of the creature was followed by a sheep being disemboweled and another being decapitated.
Citations:
Coleman, Loren, and Clark, Jerome. Cryptozoology A To Z: The Encyclopedia Of Loch Monsters Sasquatch Chupacabras And Other Authentic M. United States, Touchstone, 2013.
Eberhart, George M.. Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology. United Kingdom, ABC-CLIO, 2002.
Beast of Busco/Oscar
The Beast of Busco is a cryptid from Churubusco Indiana. It is a giant turtle living in Falk Lake. It is four feet wide and weighs between one hundred to five hundred pounds. It was sighted many times in 1949. It is often linked to the alligator snapping turtle.
Citations:
Coleman, Loren, and Clark, Jerome. Cryptozoology A To Z: The Encyclopedia Of Loch Monsters Sasquatch Chupacabras And Other Authentic M. United States, Touchstone, 2013.
Beesonites
The Beesonites are a theorized Alien species living somewhere in the Boötes constellation. They are thought to stand 5-6 feet tall with thin insectoid bodies covered in tan skin with a smooth texture like soft leather. They have enlarged, hypersensitive, bee-like eyes that are aqua in color, a human nose and mouth, and ears like a small dog. They are benevolent beings that teach the idea of “Cosmic Law” and have an energy connection to all living creatures. They have technologies that reacts to DNA and can instantly heal people. They also have biological supercomputers, and the technology capable of traversing between dimensions. They possess good telepathic and telekinetic abilities and are thought to fold their own minds inter-dimensionally.
Citations:
Campobasso, Craig. The Extraterrestrial Species Almanac: The Ultimate Guide to Greys, Reptilians, Hybrids, and Nordics. United States, Red Wheel/Weiser, 2021.
Benandanti
The Benandanti are mythical figures from Italian myth. They are benevolent figures, and their name means “good walker.” They are thought to be humans capable of taking the form of wolves as they sleep. In this wolf form, they descend into Hell and battle evil. They specifically went out on “ember days” meaning solstices or eclipses. Sometimes they took the form of cats, mice, butterflies, or hares. Crops would suffer or flourish depending on whether or not the Benandanti succeeded. If a baby was born with the caul still attached, then it was believed they were Benandanti. These cauls were often dried out and worn as protective amulets.
Citations:
Guiley, Rosemary. The Encyclopedia of Vampires, Werewolves, and Other Monsters. United States, Facts On File, Incorporated, 2004.
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.
Big Auger
Big Auger is a sentient river from Lumberjack folklore. It had a rocky riverbed and moved like a corkscrew with a twisting motion. It makes gurgling sounds and can jump and move around. It could rotate so fast that it caused the water to boil. It challenged Paul Bunyan and fired ninety-nine barrels worth of water into his eyes. In response, it got slapped by the acre large hand of Paul Bunyan, who followed up by slamming a mountain into Big Auger to dam it up. Big Auger became calm for a while but eventually bored through the mountain and went wild again. Paul Bunyan tried strangling after this and it boiled away the corkscrew to its bed making it a peaceful river. This fight formed what is now Niagara Falls, named after Paul Bunyan’s former dog.
Citations:
Rees, Ennis, and Robert Osborn. The Song of Paul Bunyan & Tony Beaver. Pantheon Books, 1964.
Big Man-Eater
Big Man-Eater is a figure from the myths of the Alabama tribe. He was a man who was really bad at hunting and told his wife to cut off her limbs for him to eat. She ran away and had her brothers kill him. They burned him to ashes, and from his ashes emerged bees, wasps, mosquitos, flies, and crows.
Citations:
Sullivan, Irene F., and Gill, Sam D.. Dictionary of Native American Mythology. United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 1994.
Billdad
The Billdad is a creature from Lumberjack Folklore. It is believed to be found in Northwest Maine. It lives in Boundary Pond in Hurrican Triumph. It is very rare and shy, making it very seldom seen and is more often heard instead. It is the size of a beaver, with back legs like a kangaroo, short front legs, a beaver tail, webbed feet, and a beak like a hawk. It hunts for fish by slapping the water to stun them and then picking them up from the water.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
Binaye Ahani
Binaye Ahani was one of the Anaye of Navajo myth, whose name means “Ones who slays with their eyes.” It resembled a pair of limbless twins conjoined at the torso. It was able to fire lightning bolts from its empty eye sockets. It was killed by Nayenezgani who used salt to blind them.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
Matthews, Washington. Navaho Legends. United States, American Folk-Lore Society, 1897.
Birmingham Fairy Alien
The Birmingham Fairy Alien was sighted on the morning of January 4, 1979. The witness was a woman named Jean Hingley. After she waved off her husband as he left for work, she saw a light in the garden. The light was orange and turned white. She entered the back door of her house and heard a sound like “zee zee zee.” Three small figures entered through the open door floating one foot above the ground. They stood 3.5 to 4 feet in height wearing silver-green tunics, pointed hats, and gloves all of the same color. They also wore silver waistcoats with silver buttons and had beautiful rainbow-colored wings. Her dog reacted by lying down as if drugged, and she seemed paralyzed. She eventually calmed down and seemed to float into the lounge with the creatures who were tugging at the Christmas tree. They were flying around and touching everything and a discussion began where the creatures said they came from the sky, visited Australia, the US, and New Zealand, trying to talk to people with no success. The witness offered the beings mince pies and their hands seemed magnetic when they accepted. She showed them a cigarette but they fled to the garden when she lit one. She was float-led to their ship in the garden which was orange and measured 8-10 feet long and 4 feet high. They entered the ship and took off, leaving an indention in the snow covering the garden. After the encounter, the witness felt warm and happy.
Citations:
Aliens. United Kingdom, Parragon Book Service Limited, 1996.
Black Shuck
The Black Shcuk is a supernatural creature from the folklore of England. They are often sighted in Anglia, Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk, and sightings continue to this day. They are most active on stormy nights and just before bad weather. They may be named after the war dog of Thor and Odin named Shukir, but the name could also come from the word “shucky” which means hairy or shaggy. They have several different descriptions often having glowing red saucer-sized eyes, but sometimes only a singular eye. Sometimes they’re the size of a horse, other times the size of a large dog, and occasionally they have no head. They rarely pose a threat, but may scare people to death. They’re often thought to be omens of death, and people who sight them reportedly die within a year.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
Black Tortoise/Black Warrior/Xuánwǔ/Genbu/Chih Ming
The Black Tortoise is a creature that was initially a Chinese symbol and was later adapted into Japanese myth. It is one of the Shijin along with the Vermillion Bird, White Tiger, and the Azure Dragon. It is connected to the North, the color black, water, and winter. It was thought to represent cold, harshness, and power, and was also connected to the Funaoka-Yama Mountain. Sometimes it was represented as a traditional Chinese warrior with turtle and snake motifs, and other times it was depicted as a turtle and snake mating, combining into one singular animal. The reason for the snake and turtle being intertwined has been lost to time. It has the associated mansions (these being associated with the phases of the moon) Hikitsu-Boshi, Iname-Boshi, Uruki-Boshi, Tomite-Boshi, Umiyame-Boshi/Umiya-Boshi, Hatsui-Boshi. These mansions lie in the constellations Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pegasus. New cities were structured in accordance with this creature and the other Shijin, who were replaced by the Four Kings of Buddhism, with the Black Tortoise specifically being replaced by Tamonten/Bishamonten.
Citations:
10,000 Chinese Numbers. N.p., Lulu.com.
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
Frydman, Joshua. The Japanese Myths: A Guide to Gods, Heroes and Spirits. United Kingdom, Thames and Hudson Limited, 2022.
Hartmann, Sieglinde, and Grafetstätter, Andrea. Islands and Cities in Medieval Myth, Literature, and History: Papers Delivered at the International Medieval Congress, University of Leeds, in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Austria, Peter Lang, 2011.
Japanese Mythology: Discover the Great History of Japan! Get ready to face Monsters, Spirits and the Strangest Creatures of the Rising Sun. Bonus: 3 Stories of Warriors from Nippon Folklore. N.p., Bruce Simons, 2023.
Okuyama, Yoshiko. Japanese Mythology in Film: A Semiotic Approach to Reading Japanese Film and Anime. United Kingdom, Lexington Books, 2015.
Blood Dogs/Scots Hounds
The Blood Dogs are mythical creatures from Scotland and Northern England. They have grey bodies, and red eyes, and leave no mark on the ground to indicate their presence. Their baying is thought to sound like the wind. They’re believed to haunt battlefields and lick up the blood of fallen soldiers, digging through the dirt for soaked-up blood and unburied corpses. In Scotland, they only feed on the blood of English people and are thought to be the ghosts of the hunting dogs belonging to Bonny Prince Charlie. They form out of morning mist, the day after a large battle.
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.
Bloody Bones/Old Bloody Bones
Bloody Bones is a bogeyman figure from England and the United States. It’s described as being incredibly ugly with blood and bone visible, and sometimes even looks like a dancing headless skeleton. He was often seen as a companion to Rawhead, or one part of the same being. He is also sometimes related to a figure named High Walker, who could raise the bones of the dead. Rawhead and Bloody Bones defied him and ended up causing his death.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Fairies in World Folklore and Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2013.
Brewer, Ebenezer Cobham. The Reader’s Handbook of Famous Names in Fiction, Allusions, References, Proverbs, Plots, Stories, and Poems. United Kingdom, Chatto & Windus, 1902.
Hurston, Zora Neale. Mules and Men. United States, HarperCollins, 2009.
Lauro, Sarah J.. The Transatlantic Zombie: Slavery, Rebellion, and Living Death. United States, Rutgers University Press, 2015.
Bloody Mary
Bloody Mary is a figure from a common American Urban Legend. The story of Bloody Mary is commonly known among teens and preteens, though the details vary from person to person. Some believe the legend to be metaphorically related to puberty with the bathroom, mirror, and blood.
Bloody Mary is associated with a simple ritual meant to summon her from a mirror.
– Some believe you must stand in an unlit bathroom, stare into the mirror, and say “Bloody Mary” three times.
– Some believe the name must be said thirteen times or some other amount.
– Sometimes it is necessary to prick ones finger in order to make her appear.
– Sometimes you must declare your belief in her before she will appear.
After being summoned, she appears in place of the summoner’s reflection and may attempt to kill, scratch out eyes, or pull the summoner through the mirror into a hellish other dimension.
Her origins often say her real name may have been “Mary Worth” of “Mary Jane.” She typically appears as a bloody female ghost who died an unnatural death.
Stories of her origins vary.
– Stories in the South say she originated as a woman wrongfully executed for witchcraft.
– Some thought to be the ghost of a girl killed on prom night.
– Sometimes she is thought to be a woman who was murdered with no one there to help.
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.
Watts, Linda. Encyclopedia of American Folklore. United States, Infobase Publishing, 2020.
Blue-Cap/Blue-Bonnet
The Blue-Cap is a form of Fae from English myth. They are thought to live in mines and often work alongside human miners. They’re thought to be strong and industrious with a deep understanding of rocks and ore, and the supernatural ability to control these things. While not mining, they resemble blue and white balls of light that are cold to the touch. Some believe they have troll-like forms and scoop rocks and ore from mine walls. If a Blue-Cap assisted in a mine, they had to be given exact payment for that day’s work. If left unpaid or underpaid, they would leave the mine forever. If they were overpaid, they would take only what was owed and leave the rest. There is a story from Cornwall of a goblin killing people in a mine that was combated, and killed, by a Blue-Cap. Another story tells of a miner stealing the money left for the Blue-Cap and the creature retaliating by bringing the mine down on his head.
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.
Blue Witches
The Blue Witches are mythical figures from Ireland and Scotland. They resemble massive, naked, blue women. They’ve been seen on the battlefields of the Romans and the Celts, where they searched for wounded Romans to kill. They carry ancient magic swords stolen from the tombs of kings and use these swords to chop the heads off of Roman soldiers. They are possibly based on female soldiers who’ve charged into battle with blue war paint.
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.
Bmola/Bumole/Pomol
Bmola is a creature from the Abenaki people. It is thought to live on top of Mount Katahdin. It creates cold wind, bad weather, and storms. At one time it was captured by Gluskab who bound its wings, until the mountain became too warm and Gluskab freed it to cool the air again. It’s known to kill and consume any who climb the mountain.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
Boar Of Ben Bulbain
The Boar of Ben Bulbain is a monstrous creature from Celtic mythology. It was thought to be the body of Gulben, reanimated by his father Roc. It took the form of a sixteen foot long white boar without ears or a tail and lived on Ben Bulbain mountain. It killed many people but was eventually killed by a hunting party led by a man named Fionn, along with Gulben’s half-brother Dermot. When Dermot measured the boar, his foot was pierced with the boar’s poisonous bristles and he died of blood loss.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
Boat Hound
The Boat Hound is an odd creature from Lumberjack Folklore. It has the “scientific” name Navisfur wymani. They search at night for boats that are not tied down and swallows them whole. They have bodies shaped like boats, four ears, mouths like alligators, and feet like frogs. Due to their unique ears, they can hear perfectly in front and behind themselves. During the day they rest at the bottom of lakes.
Citations:
Yarns of the Big Woods, Written and Illustrated by Art Childs
Bog Hop
The Bog Hop is a creature from the North Shore of Lake Superior, often in Minnesota, specifically in an area only inhabited by trappers and fishermen. This creature is a part of Lumberjack Folklore and was heard about by Marjorie Edgar from a trapper. It was also sometimes seen in smaller lakes between Lake Superior and the border of the US. It has the scientific name “Castoralces platycerous.” It’s a creature described as half beaver and half moose, with small moose antlers and a large beaver tail. It swims like a beaver, and leaps through the air with its tail. They can be heard slapping their tails on the water as they hop across lakes. They are very shy creatures and hop away into swamps and disappear when they see anyone. They are seldom seen since summer cabins were built in that area.
Citations:
Edgar, Marjorie. “Imaginary Animals of Northern Minnesota.” Minnesota History, vol. 21, no. 4, 1940, pp. 353–56. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20162424. Accessed 31 May 2023.
Wyman, Walker Demarquis. Mythical Creatures of the U.S.A. and Canada. United States, University of Wisconsin-River Falls Press, 1978.
Bogey/Bogie/Bogey-Beast
The Bogey is a creature from British folklore. They’re described as large black creatures with vague appearances like dust or smoke that have been known to take the form of dogs. It’s often thought that looking through the keyhole of a wooden door would allow you to see their dull eyes. They move at night and often travel in packs. They enjoy startling people as much as possible before killing them, and especially like scaring people to death. They may cause food to rot, water to become poisoned, or cause crops and livestock to become diseased. They have been known to cause disruptions by moving objects and may rest in fireplaces and kick embers out to cause a house fire. They often attach themselves to a specific family to continuously target.
Citation:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Fairies in World Folklore and Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2013.
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.
Boggart/Boggleman
The Boggarts are invisible creatures from English folklore. They like to wait for quiet moments to make loud noises and scare people and sometimes move things like a poltergeist. Sometimes they’re corporeal enough to physically attack people, and occasionally they’ve been known to possess domesticated animals and make them violent. They can be sent away with exorcism or burning sage.
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.
Bonaconn
The Bonaconn is a creature from Medieval bestiaries. They resemble a bull or an ox with horns curving inward, and a horse-like mane. Their dung is acidic, and can be fired like a weapon.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
Boobrie
The Boobrie is a shapeshifting creature from Scotland. They live in lakes and saltwater wells and are known to be able to “fly” through water. They can also take the form of a horse and run on top of water, but it will still sound like they are running on the ground. They may also change into a giant insect with tentacles to feed off horse blood. A Boobrie footprint looks like an imprint of an antler. They are known to attack sheep and cattle and will steal them off of ships. They are capable of imitating these animals as well to lure them to the sides of ships. They then grab the animal and drag it underwater, but they will eat otters if its favorites aren’t available.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
Rose, Carol. Giants, Monsters, and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend, and Myth. United Kingdom, Norton, 2001.
Bori
The Bori is a creature from the myths of the Hausa people. They resemble headless men with goat legs and cloven hooves. They can shapeshift into any animal, often turning into snakes, but may also turn into monkeys, birds, or swarms of insects. They live in forests, and make cries for help and turns into a lost child to lure victims in. They drain some blood out of their victims leaving them without energy. Can be appeased with offerings of freshly killed fowl or bowls of fruit and then become helpful. They can also be controlled if someone learns their true name, but this control is broken if the Bori is burned. After being freed, the Bori will attack its former boss and their family. They cannot touch iron and can be stopped by weapons made of iron.
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.
Bouda
The Bouda is a creature from the folklore of Morocco, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. It is a creature classified as a living vampire that can also return as an undead vampire. They are often thought to be blacksmiths who forge metal amulets to control their ability to shapeshift. With this magic they take the physical form of a hyena but maintain their human intelligence. Without the amulet, they can’t transform back into a human and their minds become that of a hyena as well. In hyena form they consume flesh and blood, but they have no supernatural strength and can be killed with normal weapons.
Citations:
Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt Us, and Hunger for Us. United States, Kensington Publishing Corporation, 2006.
Brukulaco/Bruculaco/Burculacas
The Brukulaco are undead creatures from Greek myth. They are thought to be the corpses of excommunicated people returning from the dead due to being locked out of heaven. They resemble hunched men with sharp teeth, harsh eyes, and sharp claws. They have bodies constructed of mud, slime, and feces found in the ground as they rise, and large chests that sound like drums when hit. They are known to have strong muscular arms and legs. To lure in prey, the Brukulaco make sounds like the crying of a lost child, an injured woman, or a whimpering dog. They lure human victims to isolated locations and consume any who get close. They are often known to spread illness. Sometimes it was thought a Brukulaco would enter a catatonic state and astrally project into the body of a wolf to kill livestock and humans. To stop a Brukulaco, it must be decapitated and have the head and body burned. In other areas the severed head needs to be boiled in a pot with water and garlic, then placed in a shroud or a coffin with the body, and reburied.
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.
Brunnmigi/Brunmîgi/Þurs
The Brunnmigi is a creature from Norse myth. They’re sometimes seen as Trolls, serve the role of tricksters, and are commonly related to foxes, possibly being seen as a transformed version of them. They live near springs and infest them, and are know to urinate in wells. There is a story from Halv’s Saga where a Brunnmigi was attacked with a spear on fire.
Citations:
Norges land og folk: Finmarkens amt, udg. ved A. T. Helland. 1905-06. 3 pts. Norway, Aschehoug, 1906.
Northern Mythology: Comprising the Principal Popular Traditions and Superstitions of Scandinavia, North Germany, and the Netherlands. United Kingdom, E. Lumley, 1851.
Saga Book of the Viking Society for Northern Research. United Kingdom, Viking Society, 2008.
Waggoner, Ben. Sagas of Imagination: A Medieval Icelandic Reader. United States, Troth, Incorporated, 2017.
Bruxsa/Bruxa
The Bruxsa is a form of vampiric witch from Portuguese myth. These monsters consciously choose to be evil. They take the form of beautiful women during the day, and can fully pass as humans. At night they turn into birds and like leading travelers astray, attacking them when they have lost hope. They prefer to feed on children’s blood and sometimes they seek men to impregnate her so that she can have a child, and then consume it. They’re immortal and invulnerable using magic to bring drought, illness, destructive rain, and cause livestock to miscarry. Charms made of fresh garlic can be used to keep this creature away and mixing mashed garlic and holy water can repel the creature if placed on window sills and door frames.
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.
Buata
The Buata is a creature from Melanesian folklore. It is a massive boar with incredible strength and speed. It has tusks the size of swords. It hunts people and eats them whole. It has moderate intelligence, enough to speak in small sentences. It can sometimes be tricked into sparing its prey.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
Bucca
Bucca is a sea monster from England. It was once believed to be a god of the sea, but is now known as a lesser mythical creature. It is thought to resemble a dark brown conger eel with hair made from tangled seaweed, and it is thought that it can change form or become invisible. If sacrifices of fish and bread are given to Bucca, then it leads fishermen to fish and pushes their boats away from rocks. If any fish are caught with the assistance of Bucca though, one must be thrown back as thanks. It is thought to be more aggressive near the Orkney Islands where it was thought to rip the keel out of boats and eat fishermen. Here it is thought Bucca must be offered good fish, and toasted any time ale was drunk. If annoyed, Bucca was thought to bring bad luck to fishermen. It is often described as a lonely creature with a sad expression due to a tragic origin story attributed to it. In some stories it was a prince who fell in love with a woman, but she didn’t love him back and she joined a convent to avoid him. He got assistance from a witch to turn into a pigeon so he could visit the woman, and she liked him in this form. A monk realized the trick and turned him back to a human, but then he cursed the prince to become a monster for a thousand years unless he found love.
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.
O’Connor, Mike. Isles of Scilly Folk Tales. United Kingdom, History Press, 2020.
Bugbear
The Bugbear is a form of creature from English Folklore. They’re malevolent creatures often used as bogeyman figures. They frequently take the form of bears or other large beasts and eat bad children. Bugbear is also often a word used to refer to a scarecrow.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Fairies in World Folklore and Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2013.
Rose, Carol. Giants Monsters and Dragons: An Encyclopedia Of Folklore Legend And Myth. United Kingdom, WW Norton, 2001.
Buggane
The Buggane is a variation of the Boggart from the Isle of Man. They have bestial bodies, taloned hands, sharp teeth, and large heads. They’re thought to be shapeshifters that take the form of large calves, horses, or dogs. They live primarily in the water, near waterfalls and ponds, and only go on land to hunt.
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.
Bugul Noz
Bugul Noz is a mysterious Fae from Breton myth. Its name translates to “night shepherd.” It’s thought to be a tall nature spirit living in the forests of Brittany, currently France. Bugul Noz is thought to be the last of its kind, and is thought to be so ugly that animals will run away as it approaches. Despite its horrific appearance, Bugul Noz is very kind, and announces its presence as it walks at night to avoid scaring anyone. It was sometimes seen as a bogeyman figure, and seeing it without expecting it could scare someone to death.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Fairies in World Folklore and Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2013.
Bulgasari/Hwagasari
The Bulgasari is a creature from Korean myth. Its name means “one that cannot be killed” or “one who can be killed by fire” if called Hwagasari. It ate all the metal it could get to. Many people tried to kill it and failed. Sometimes it has no weaknesses, but in other situations fire is its only weakness. After it’s thrown into the fire, it will charge around completely on fire burning anything around it. It has a bear-like body with needly fur, an elephant nose, eyes like a rhino, claws like a tiger, and a tail like a bull. Some stories claim it originated by being made by a Buddhist monk using rice paste. There was a time when all the Buddhist monks were being rounded up by the government and arrested. The monk who created the Bulgasari hid with his sister rather than fleeing. She tried to tell her husband to turn him in for a reward, but the husband was so enraged by the betrayal that he killed his wife and let the monk go. The monk fed the small rice creature needles while he was in hiding and with every bit of metal it ate, it grew larger and larger.
Citations:
Berg, Sebastian. Korean Mythology: Folklore and Legends from the Korean Peninsula. N.p., Creek Ridge Publishing, 2022.
Bunyip
The Bunyip is a mythical creature from Australia. Their name comes from the Aboriginal word for “spirit.”They are often described as being the size of a calf. Often they are seen as immortal creatures. They live in calm, still waters and are docile when left alone, but incredibly dangerous and territorial. They have been described with several varied features including feathers, an otter body, flippers, walrus tusks, a long neck, a long pointed head, large ears that prick up when aware of someone’s presence, and a thick mane of hair. They have been described as having an awkward shambling style of movement with the front legs being larger than the back legs. Often they have large tails and some have compared it to a creature called the Diprotodon.
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.
Buruburu/Zokuzokugami/Okubyohgami
The Buruburu is a Yokai from Japan. They often appear as old men or women, shaking, and with one eye. The name Buruburu is meant to represent the sound of shivering in fear. They attack people by leaving their physical form and attaching their spectral form to a victim’s spine. The feeling of this attack causes the victim’s heart to seize up in horror. Sometimes it possesses without killing, leaving the victim overcome by fear so intense they fear everything. Victims of the fear caused by a Buruburu often commit suicide.
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.
Busaw
The Busaw are known from the Bagobos, Bukidnons, and Mandayas people of the Philippines. During the day, they look exactly like regular humans and are known to have normal lives and may even have farms. At night they take ogre-like forms with hooked claws, long tongues, and pointed teeth. Female Busaw are also thought to have a singular eye like a cyclops. They live in trees near cemeteries, in caves, or on isolated farms in the woods. They move through the night to search for human flesh to consume, most often digging up corpses rather than hunting living humans. Buried bodies can be protected from the Busaw if they are dug up and soaked in vinegar, strong smelling herbs, and salt. There are also many charms, amulets, medicines, and rituals that can be used to repel the Busaw.
Citations:
Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Giants and Humanoids in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
Büxenwolf/Boxenwolf/Böchsenwolf
This is a Werewolf from the Schaumberg region of Germany. A Büxenwolf is formed when a person makes a pact with the devil for knowledge, wealth, and power. They use a magic girdle to fully change from a human to a wolf. In wolf form they have enhanced speed, strength, and intelligence on top of their animal instincts and senses. They are known to be incredibly sadistic and will attack people from behind aiming for the neck to drag victims away. Despite their supernatural power, they can still be killed by normal weapons. Putting a piece of iron or steel above the creature’s head will break its connection with Hell. This may cause them to reveal their true name which allows them to be exercised.
Citations:
Guiley, Rosemary. The Encyclopedia of Vampires, Werewolves, and Other Monsters. United States, Facts On File, Incorporated, 2004.
Lyncker, Karl. Deutsche Sagen und Sitten in hessischen Gauen. Germany, Bertram, 1854.
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.
Steiger, Brad. The Werewolf Book: The Encyclopedia of Shape-Shifting Beings. United Kingdom, Visible Ink Press, 2011.