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Macabre Myths from Around the World
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Cthulhu
Cthulhu is a cosmic entity created by H.P. Lovecraft in his short story 'The Call of Cthulhu', first published in Weird Tales in 1928. Cthulhu is described as part gigantic octopus, part man, and part dragon, hibernating within an underwater city in the Pacific Ocean called R'lyeh. It is associated with the theme of existential cosmic indifference.
Mothman
Mothman is a cryptid purportedly seen in the Point Pleasant area of West Virginia, USA, in the 1960s. Described as a large humanoid creature with glowing red eyes and wings like a moth, it was allegedly connected to the collapse of the Silver Bridge. The legend of the Mothman remains a popular element of regional folklore and conspiracy theories.
Dracula
Dracula is a fictional character, the titular antagonist of Bram Stoker's 1897 Gothic horror novel 'Dracula'. While based on the historical figure Vlad the Impaler, Dracula is a vampire known for his ability to transform into a bat, his aversion to sunlight, and his need to drink human blood. The novel has had a significant impact on horror literature and the vampire mythos.
Dullahan
The Dullahan is a type of unseelie fairy in Irish mythology. He is depicted as a headless rider, usually on a black horse, carrying his own head under his arm. Often a harbinger of death, the Dullahan carries a whip made from a human spine. When he stops riding, a person dies. He is particularly associated with the festival of Samhain.
Jiangshi
Jiangshi, sometimes referred to as 'Chinese hopping vampires' or 'hopping zombies', are reanimated corpses in Chinese folklore. They move around by hopping with their arms outstretched and kill living creatures to absorb their Qi, or life force. They are traditionally depicted in official garments from the Qing dynasty and are known for their stiff movements.
Chupacabra
Chupacabra, which means 'goat-sucker' in Spanish, is a legendary creature in the folklore of parts of the Americas. It is described as preying upon livestock, especially goats, and is characterized by leathery or scaly skin, sharp spines or quills along its back, and unusual nocturnal activities. The legend has proliferated since the 1990s, with many alleged sightings.
Dybbuk
A Dybbuk is a malicious possessing spirit, believed to be the dislocated soul of a dead person, stemming from Jewish mythology. It seizes a living body for malicious purposes and has been featured in a number of literary works and films. Exorcism is the remedy for expelling a Dybbuk according to folklore.
Nuckelavee
The Nuckelavee is a horse-like demon from Orcadian folklore (Orkney Islands, Scotland). It's a fearsome creature, described as having a man's torso attached to a horse's back, with no skin, displaying its black blood coursing through yellow veins. It is said to bring drought, epidemic, and other curses to crops and livestock.
Grendel
Grendel is a monstrous creature from the Old English epic poem 'Beowulf'. He terrorizes the great hall of Heorot, killing and feasting on its occupants. Described as a descendant of Cain, Grendel symbolizes malignancy and the antithesis of order and civilization. His defeat by Beowulf is a key moment in the poem.
The Minotaur
The Minotaur is a creature from Greek mythology, a monster with the body of a man and the head of a bull. He lived in the center of the Labyrinth, a vast maze on the island of Crete, where he was fed with human sacrifices until he was killed by the hero Theseus. The Minotaur is associated with themes of entrapment and bestiality.
Frankenstein's Monster
Frankenstein's Monster is a fictional character from Mary Shelley's 1818 novel 'Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus'. The creature is assembled from parts of dead bodies and brought to life by Victor Frankenstein. Unlike many adaptations, in the novel, the monster is intelligent and articulate but becomes violent after being rejected by society.
Jersey Devil
The Jersey Devil is a legendary creature said to inhabit the Pine Barrens of Southern New Jersey in the United States. With a horse-like head, bat wings, horns, small arms, and cloven hooves, it is a cryptid that reportedly terrorizes livestock and locals. The myth has various origins, including the story of 'Mother Leeds' and her 13th child.
Yuki-onna
Yuki-onna, which means 'snow woman', is a spirit or Yokai from Japanese folklore. She appears on snowy nights as a tall, beautiful woman with long black hair and blue lips. Her skin is inhumanly pale or even transparent, and she is often depicted wearing a white kimono. Stories often emphasize her ethereal beauty and deadly nature; she is known to freeze her victims with her icy breath.
Wendigo
The Wendigo is a mythical creature from the folklore of the Algonquian-speaking First Nations in North America. Described as a malevolent, cannibalistic, supernatural being, it is associated with insatiable hunger, the harshness of winter, and the dangers of selfishness and excess. Sightings are often linked to famine and cold.
Mummy
In horror literature and folklore, a Mummy is a deceased human or animal whose skin and organs have been preserved through intentional or accidental exposure to chemicals, extreme cold, very low humidity, or lack of air. The concept originates from Ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife, where preserving the body was essential for the soul's journey.
Pontianak
Pontianak or Kuntilanak is a female vampiric ghost in Malay-Indonesian folklore. She is said to be the spirit of a woman who died during childbirth and targets men and pregnant women. Her presence is often announced by baby cries and a floral fragrance that turns foul as she approaches. She is also associated with banana trees where she is said to reside.
Banshee
Banshee is a female spirit from Irish folklore, famously known for her mournful 'keening' which is said to foretell the death of a family member. Traditionally described as clad in white or grey and often having long, flowing hair, the banshee's cry is a sound of lamentation that carries a spectral and eerie resonance.
Medusa
Medusa is one of the three Gorgon sisters from Greek mythology, characterized by her hair of living venomous snakes and her ability to turn anyone who looked directly into her eyes to stone. She was beheaded by the hero Perseus who used her head as a weapon before giving it to Athena to place on her shield.
Kraken
The Kraken is a legendary sea monster from Scandinavian folklore, believed to dwell off the coasts of Norway and Greenland. It is typically described as a giant octopus or squid, capable of dragging whole ships down into the ocean deeps. The myth may have originated from sightings of real giant squid.
La Llorona
La Llorona ('The Weeping Woman') is a ghost from Hispanic folklore who drowned her children in a river and now cries while searching for them in the night, often causing misfortune to those who hear her. Variations of the legend say that she kidnaps wandering children or those who misbehave.
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