Cain bairns are mythical creatures that feature prominently in Scottish folklore. According to superstition, warlocks and witches would seize infants and pay them as a tax or tithe to the Devil. The word “cain” is a Gaelic term for a tribute, tax, or tithe, while “bairn” means a child. The word was in use along …
Mythical Creature Type
Lampads are mythical creatures that were first mentioned in Greek mythology. These creatures were believed to be torch-bearing nymphs of the underworld who accompanied the goddess Hekate in her night-time revels and hauntings. They were the divine counterparts of the Eleusinian celebrants who carried torches in the nocturnal procession of the Mysteries of Demeter. According …
Shtriga is a mythical creature that has been a part of Albanian and Slavic folklore for centuries. According to legend, Shtriga is a vampiric witch that sucks the blood of infants at night while they sleep, and then turns into a flying insect, traditionally a moth, fly, or bee. The creature is believed to possess …
Guajona is a mythical creature that is often found in Cantabrian legends. It is said to resemble a disfigured human female and is thought to resemble one of the many forms of witches and hags of medieval Europe. The creature’s folklore is often specific to her feeding habits, which are believed to be blood-sucking. The …
Crone is a mythical creature that is often portrayed as an old woman with magical powers. In folklore and fairy tales, the crone is often depicted as disagreeable, malicious, or sinister in manner, and can be either helpful or obstructive. The crone is also an archetypal figure, a wise woman who possesses knowledge and intuition …
Hitar Petar is a character of Bulgarian and Macedonian folklore. He is often presented as the “typical Bulgarian” in Bulgaria and the “typical Macedonian” in North Macedonia. He is a poor village farmhand, but possesses remarkable slyness, wit, and wile. Hitar Petar is the perpetual antagonist of either the rich nobles, clerics, and money lenders …
Nasreddin is a mythical figure of oriental culture who is known for his wit and humor. He is a character in the folklore of the Muslim world and is popular from the Balkans to China. Nasreddin is a hero of humorous short stories and satirical anecdotes, which are often told to convey a moral or …
Night hags are supernatural creatures that are commonly associated with the phenomenon of sleep paralysis. They are often depicted as malevolent beings that immobilize a person as if sitting on their chest or the foot of their bed. This phenomenon can be terrifying, as people often wake unable to breathe, move, or speak. There are …
Tahoe Tessie is a legendary creature that is believed to reside in North America’s largest alpine lake, Lake Tahoe. Similar to the Loch Ness Monster of Scotland, Tahoe Tessie is said to be a giant, prehistoric creature with a long neck and a serpentine body. Some believe that Tahoe Tessie is a distant relative of …
Wallowa Lake Monster is a legendary creature that is said to inhabit Wallowa Lake, Oregon. The creature is known by several names, including Wally, and is described as being between 8 and 20 feet long and hump-shaped. The legend of the Wallowa Lake Monster has been passed down for generations by the Nez Perce Native …