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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.
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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.
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Zitny Smij
The Zitny Smij is a form of dragon from Lithuanian myth. It is known for being good natured, and its name means “corn dragon.” They bring corn to their favorite people and look like fire streaking across the sky. They are thought to be one of many forms of household dragons. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Lecouteux, Claude. The Tradition of Household Spirits: Ancestral Lore and Practices. United States, Inner Traditions/Bear, 2013. MacKenzie, Shawn. Dragons for Beginners: Ancient Creatures in a Modern World. United States, Llewellyn Worldwide, Limited, 2012.
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Zeroids
The Zeroids are a form of alien whose name was proposed by Dr. Franklin Ruehl. The Zeroids are theorized as a way to explain UFOs, saying they are living creatures originating in space. Prebiotics in gas clouds are thought to be their origins, and organic compounds that are known to exist in space could serve as building blocks for these creatures. They could be simple or complex creatures in their structure. Due to their origins out in the universe, it is possible these creatures could be older than any known species. It’s theorized that they consume intergalactic dust and gas, or possibly each other. It is thought they would have…
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Zduhać/Aloviti/Vjedogonja/Wind Chasers/Cloud Chaser/Hail Defender/Fairy Man/Dragon Man
The Zduhać are mythical figures from Slavic myth. They are described as people capable of protecting people, homes, and entire villages from rain and hail. They are often thought of as mythical creatures, like dragons or fairies, but in human form. Sometimes they were seen as prophets and connected to angels and saints. They are generally seen as heroic figures that look entirely human, though often melancholic, thoughtful, strong, resourceful, and resilient. A Zduhać could be detected from birth if they were born with the caul still on their head, and they would also often have an affinity to crows. Some believed however that a Zduhać could only be born…
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Vermillion Bird/Zhūquè/Suzaku/Meng Chang Phoenix/Su-Zaku/Ling Kuang
The Vermillion Bird 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 White Tiger, Azure Dragon, and the Black Tortoise. It’s associated with the South, the color red, fire, and summer. It was thought to represent heat, passion, and love, and was also often connected to the Ogura-No-Ike pond. It resembles a large bird with big wings and a long tail, covered in bright red and orange feathers, and these features typically lead to this creature being related to, and confused with, the Phoenix. It has the associated mansions (these being associated with the…
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Zamba Zaraa
The Zamba Zaraa is a bizarre cryptid from the West part of the Segs Cagan Bogd Mountains of Mongolia. One was notably sighted sitting on a rock with its head erect. It hit its tail on the rock to make a sound like a galloping camel and inflated itself to the size of a type of tent known as a yurta. Citations: Shuker, Karl. The Beasts That Hide from Man: Seeking the World’s Last Undiscovered Animals. United States, Paraview Press, 2014.
