The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A–Z of Fantastic Beings from Myth and Magic

ANTELOPE

In Sumerian and Semitic mythology, the antelope is a shape adopted by the gods Ea and Marduk while Ea-Oannes is considered to be ‘the antelope of Apsu’ – ‘the antelope of creation’. The antelope is also sacred to Astarte, the goddess of the moon. In ancient Egypt, the antelope was sacred to the goddess Isis and at times represented both Osiris and Horus. As a desert animal it was also sacrificed to Set. Throughout Asia Minor, the antelope was associated with the moon and the Great Mother. In Hinduism, it is an emblem of Shiva, and the gods Soma and Chandra have chariots drawn by antelopes. The Greek writer Strabo described it as being somewhere between a stag and a ram but swifter than either. Among the Native Americans, the antelope is a totem animal, particularly for the Plains Indians and the Comanche tribe. The Hopi tribe have a yearly ceremony in which societies representing Antelope and Snake enact a ritual in which antelope boys greet snake maidens. A mystical marriage is then enacted between these representatives of the animals. Antelopes running are said to stimulate thunder and rain-bearing clouds and, for this reason, they are considered symbols of fertility. The fast-running Antelope was one of the animals that helped Coyote steal fire from the Fire People in a story from British Columbia in Canada.

Several tribes in Africa regard the antelope as a significant animal as it is known to be a form taken by gods and only the creature itself knows where these gods are to be found. The bushmen of the Kalahari desert tell how Mantis created the antelope known as the Eland.

In heraldry, the antelope appears as a supporter, but has little resemblance to the actual creature, since it has the body of a stag, the tail of a Unicorn and the head of a heraldic tiger with serrated horns and a tusk protruding from its nose. In the language of heraldry, it is said to represent strength and fierceness.

ANT-LION

In Middle Eastern lore, the Ant-Lion had the face and front body of a lion and the back parts of an ant. This beast was said to have had a carnivorous father and a vegetarian mother, but because the Ant-Lion had the tendencies of both parents, it died because there was no food that suited its condition. As a creature of two natures, it is said to be symbolic of ‘double-minded man, unstable in all his ways’. The Ant-Lion derives from a mistranslation from the Book of Job (4: 4) from the Septuagint which uses the Arabian word myrmex for ‘lion’ in the verse, ‘The old lion perishes for lack of prey.’ This was so like the Greek word for ‘ant’ that the mistranslation resulted in all kinds of speculation about this mysterious Biblical animal.

However, naturalists have identified a species of neuroptera (four-winged insects such as dragonflies and lace wings) by the name of Antlion after their extraordinary behaviour. The antlion larvae digs a pit in loose soil, lining the tunnel with fine sand so that escape is impossible. It then buries itself at the bottom of the tunnel with only its head and open jaws remaining above the surface. Any unwary prey falls into the tunnel straight into its mouth. When above the ground, antlion larvae leave trails that have helped give it the nickname of the ‘doodlebug’.

ANTUKAI

According to the Native American people of Oregon in the United States, this creature resembles an otter, but is of a gigantic size. It was originally a grizzly bear, but having fallen into the clutches of the lake serpent Amhuluk, it was transformed into its present shape.

ANUBIS

The great jackal-headed god of ancient Egyptian mythology. He was the guardian of tombs and patron of embalming, and shared with the god Thoth the task of conducting the dead into the judgment halls of Amenti. There he weighed the hearts of the dead against the father of truth. Anubis was originally seen as a god of the Underworld but was replaced later by Osiris, becoming, with his brother Upuaut, a son or attendant of the newer god. He is generally portrayed in canine form, though the species, whether dog or jackal, has yet to be accurately identified. He is always shown with a jet-black coat, which represents the discoloration of the body after it is soaked in a solution of the carbonate salt natron during the process of mummification. Black also suggests the fertility of the soil and is the colour of the alluvial Nile silt, which produces the rich harvests of the area.

Anubis sometimes appears anthropomorphically in the form of a man with an animal’s head. One Egyptian papyrus derives his name from the verb ‘to putrefy’; whether this is accurate or not, Anubis’ role probably began with an observation of desert dogs scavenging for bodies in the shallow graves dating from the pre-dynastic period. Anubis was seen as guarding the mummies of recently deceased people from evil forces, enabling them to make the journey to the Otherworld in safety, and his image is often found painted on the doors of tombs or the lids of sarcophagi. Priests responsible for the rituals of embalming often wore an Anubis mask and acted as the god’s earthly representative. In the oldest strata of Egyptian mythology, Anubis is a child of Nephthys, or, in later texts, of Isis and Osiris. In the story of the death and resurrection of Osiris, Anubis was responsible for embalming the body until Isis brings it back to life.

Anubis’ many titles not only indicate his importance in Egyptian religious traditions but also his function. He is known as Khenty-imentiu (‘The foremost of the Westerners’), suggesting his rulership over those buried in the cemeteries along the west bank of the Nile. One ancient text shows Anubis in the act of burying a body in a heap of sand facing west. He is also known as Khenty-seh-Netjer (‘One who presides over the gods’ pavilion’). The effigy of Anubis discovered in Tutankhamun’s tomb represents him crouching on a shrine or pavilion decorated with symbols representing the god. Another title is Tepy-dju-ef, meaning ‘One who is upon his mountain’. This suggests Anubis watching over the dead from the heights of the cliffs overlooking the cemeteries where they were buried. He is also known as the ‘Lord of the Sacred Land’, emphasizing again his connection to the landscape. Papyri from the Graeco-Roman period show that Anubis was eventually transformed into a cosmic deity ruling over the sky and Earth. He is even seen as bringing light to the human race, and latterly as manufacturing effective love potions. On the walls of the catacombs of Alexandria, Anubis is dressed in armour as a warrior and acts as a guardian to Osiris. The Greeks identified Anubis, with Hermes, as the being who represented wisdom.

ANZE

Another name for the Zu, the vast cosmic dragon of Mesopotamian, Sumerian and Babylonian myth.

ANZU

The Anzu or Imdugud was the Mesopotamian giant bird with the head of a lion and a saw-like beak. It stole the tablet of destinies from Ea and was eventually killed by Nunurta. Gudea, the ruler of Lagas, dreamt that Ningirsu, an early form of the god Nunurta, commanded him to rebuild a temple E-ninnu (‘House of the Fifty Mes’ – a me is a power). But Ningirsu appeared in the form of the Anzu bird. This seems to be an early legend told before the theft of the tablet of destinies.

AO CHIN

One of four great Dragon Kings described in Chinese mythology. The others are Ao Shun, Ao Kuang, and Ao Ping. Together they control the rain and the sea. They are under the command of the August Person of Jade. They live in great crystal palaces at the bottom of the ocean, and are tended by crayfish, lobsters and crabs as guards and by the fish as courtiers. Whenever there is a drought in China, the Dragon Kings are petitioned for aid. If they fail to respond, statues of them are brought out and left by the roadside to prompt them into action.

AO KUANG

The third of the four great Dragon Kings of Chinese mythology, who control the rain and the waters of the sea. The others are Ao Chin, Ao Shun and Ao Ping. (See Ao Chin.)

AO PING

The fourth of the four great Dragon Kings of Chinese mythology, who together control the rain and the sea. The others are Ao Chin, Ao Kuang and Ao Shun. (See Ao Chin.)

AO SHUN

One of the four great Dragon Kings of Chinese mythology, who together control the rain and the waters of the sea. The others are Ao Chin, Ao Kuang, and Ao Ping. (See Ao Chin.)

AONBARR/ENBARR

In Irish mythology, the magical horse belonging to Manannan mac Lír, the god of the sea and the Otherworld. Aonbarr could gallop across land or sea and its name means ‘unique supremacy’. Its alternative name is Enbarr, meaning ‘froth’ or ‘singular foam’ – from which one may imagine it was connected to the breakers which strike the shores along the coastline of Ireland.

APALALA

A terrifying water monster from Buddhist mythology in the state of Pashawa in India. Apalala both inhabited and controlled the river Swat in the Highlands of Pashawa, which are now in Pakistan. A favourite subject for the Buddhist art of this region is a scene showing the monster in the act of being tamed by Buddha.

APER CALYDONIUS

An alternative name for the Calydonian Boar of classical Greek mythology.

APIS

The bull god of Ancient Egyptian mythology. Apis is sometimes called the Son of Ptah and he acts as an intermediary between mankind and the creator god of Memphis. Oracles are also received through his priests. The sacred bull is black with a small white diamond patch on its forehead; between its horns it carries the emblem of the Sun Disc and the Uraeus, though at other times these may be replaced by the Moon. On its back it has the protective wings of a vulture, and the hairs of its tail are divided into two strands, representing the original two kingdoms of ancient Egypt. According to the Greek writer Herodotus, the scarab beetle, sacred to the creator god, was to be found under the tongue of Apis.

Real bulls were culled from a special herd and treated as sacred. In Memphis, these bulls lived in palatial quarters close to the temple of Ptah, where there were also many statues of the bull god, represented as human in shape with a bull’s head. The pharaohs of Egypt were identified closely with Apis and bull imagery, with its inherent notion of strength and fertility, was a characteristic of the stories of the god-king who was often known by epithets such as ‘Victorious Bull’.

During the funerary rites of the pharaohs, the link with Apis are further emphasized when the king is seen ascending to the sun god protected by a bull. The lifespan of a bull was approximately 14 years, during which period festivals would be held at Memphis honouring it. At its death, all Egypt mourned as for the loss of the king himself. The bull was mummified and its funeral was celebrated with great pomp. Men dragged the sledge on which the embalmed and bejewelled animal had been placed. Its burial place was in the northern quarter of a desert plateau overlooking Memphis. Vast underground catacombs, hollowed out of the rock, contained successive bull burials. Discovered in the 19th century, in some instances huge sarcophagi of granite weighing over 70 tons had been placed to protect the remains of the animals.

APKALLU

An alternative name for the Abgal of Sumerian mythology.

APOATAMKIN

A strange, malicious creature, found in the folklore of the Maliseet-Pasamaquaddy people of the north-east coastal area of the United States. Apoatamkin is generally described as human in shape but covered with long hair and possessing enormous teeth. It acts as a means of frightening children, ensuring that they do not wander away from adult supervision. Bogeys of this kind are known all over the world.

APOPHIS

In Egyptian mythology, Apophis is the name of the great cosmic moon serpent that coils around the heavens. It emerged from the great abyss at the time of the creation, omitting a great roar that still echoes across the universe. Every night it tries to deny light to the world by capturing the sun god as he journeys in his celestial boat across the sky. With the help of the guardian serpent Mehen, Ra always escapes – and in the struggle that follows, Apophis’ blood stains the sky red. Occasionally Ra may be captured briefly, resulting in an eclipse of the sun.

Tomb paintings from the earliest period of Egyptian history depict the god sailing in his sun boat through a gap in the Western mountains, behind which Apophis lurks, its vast mouth open wide. Apophis is represented in a number of different ways, each more terrifying than the last. Sometimes he is a serpent with the head of a man, and sometimes he is a crocodile, his body strangely twisted and contorted. So terrible is Apophis’ nature that he is said to represent darkness, storms and death. He is also an ally of Set, the god of evil. Eventually, Apophis is captured and bound by the god Horus. The god Osiris then chopped him into small pieces, which were allowed to float away on the Nile. (See also Mehen, Nagas, Rahu and Tiamat.)

Apocalyptic Beasts

The idea of the Apocalypse, the end of the world, has been associated in many cultures with the appearance of great beasts that consume the whole of creation and bring an end to time. The best known in the West are undoubtedly the four Beasts of the Apocalypse described by St John. The implication is that there are many of these, but only three are described in detail. The first beast rises from the sea and has the body of a leopard, the feet of a bear and seven heads like those of the hydra, each with lion’s jaws. Each head has ten horns, bearing ten crowns. The second beast comes from the earth, and is described as having a similar appearance to the first but with a single head. Its horns are shorter and it has the voice of a dragon. The third creature is called the ‘Scarlet Beast’, and shares its appearance with that of the beasts from the sea and the land, except that it is red. The precise meanings of these creatures remains the subject of speculation.

Other apocalyptic creatures described in the Bible include the Tetramorphs, an ox, a man, a lion and an eagle, who together surround the throne of Christ; later they were to be seen as symbols of the four evangelists: Mark (the lion) representing Christ’s dignity, Luke (the winged ox) signifying sacrifice, Matthew (the man) representing the priesthood of Christ, and John (the eagle) symbolizing the Ascension and divinity of Christ. There are also four great horses: the white horse (conquest), the red horse (war), the black horse (famine) and the pale horse (death). Together these represent divine wrath and retribution and are ridden by the Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

The Old Testament mentions such mythical creatures as Leviathan, Behemoth and the Hayoth, all of which have apocalyptic aspects. In Greek mythology, the Titans, and in Hindu myths, the Asuras, are creatures that seem to represent the forces of creation out of control and rising up to overwhelm humanity.

In Islamic tradition, it is the heavenly cockerel, whose feet are upon the first sphere of heaven and whose head is in the seventh heaven just below the throne of Allah, who announces the world’s end. On the final day, the heavenly cockerel will crow for the last time and that will be the signal for the announcing angel to command that the dead rise up.

APOTHARNI

An estranged race of centaur-like beings, referred to in a work published in the 16th century, that are half human, half horse, like the centaurs of classical Greek and Roman mythology. Unlike centaurs the Apotharni are both male and female (centaurs are only male). The females are bald but have hair on their chins in a similar fashion to goats and Unicorns. They are described as inhabiting marshy areas.

APRES

The Apres is an heraldic animal. It takes the form of a bull with a short tail like a bear. On the arms of the Muscovy Company, the Apres appears as the left-handed supporter of their shield.

APSARAS

The Apsaras are beautiful water nymphs in Hindu mythology, who made their appearance at the time of the Churning of the Water of creation and now dance in heaven before the throne of Indra. They are particularly associated with the fig and banana trees, and passers by may hear them playing lutes and cymbals. They are companions to the Gandhavas, spirits of air and music. Tradition describes them as the consorts given as reward to the heroic dead at the time of their arrival in Paradise. Perhaps because of this, no single group of beings would take them as wives, and this gave rise to a belief in their promiscuous behaviour. Their other attributes include bestowing good fortune in games of chance and causing madness or derangement in those who hear their music. They live in the water with plants and trees, or, if on land, with peacocks and arjuna trees. They entice men with their smiles but self-disciplined men are impervious to their dances and callings.

APSASU

The Apsasu are the form that lamas take when they appear as temple guardians of Mesopotamian temples, usually as female human-headed cows and lionesses who stand protectively at gateways.

APTALEON

In Babylonian myth, the Aptaleon was a beast with a goat’s body and two serrated horns with which it felled trees, sawing away at the wood. This work raised a great thirst which was only quenched by the waters of the Euphrates river. If the Aptaleon wandered into the desert and found an erechire bush, its horns would become locked fast in the branches. (See Analopos.)

ARANDA

One of the names of the great cosmic serpent in the traditions of the native Australians. Like its fellow, Yurluggur, the Aranda inhabited the depths of the deepest billabongs and rivers, where the currents run so deep they cannot be perceived on the surface. Humans unwise enough to draw water or fish in these spots are often caught unawares; the Aranda rises and takes its victim below in one gulp, leaving no sign that it has even been there.

ARASSAS

A bizarre creature from French folklore, which occupies caves in the French Alps. It has the body and legs of a lizard and the head of a cat. It preys on unsuspecting travellers.

ARCADIAN HIND

An alternative name for the Cerynian Hind in classical Greek and Roman mythology. Hercules sought it for the third of his twelve Labours.

ARCTOPHONOS

One of two giant hunting dogs belonging to the giant Orion in classical mythology. Its fellow was named Ptoophagos. Between the two of them, they were powerful enough to hunt down bears.

AREOP-ENAP

In the creation myths of the Nauru people of the South Pacific, the Areop-Enap was the Ancient Spider who created the Earth and Heavens by prising apart mollusc shells with the help of two snails and a worm. The two snails became the sun and moon, while the worm, Rigi, was the one who forced the molluscs apart. His efforts were such that his sweat became the salt of the sea as he heaved them open. In other stories, Rigi was a butterfly who flew between earth and sea to separate them. Areop-Enap’s son was Areop-It-Eonin or Young Spider, who created fire by bringing it from the abode of thunder and lightning.

AREYIAI

An alternative name for the Harpies of Greek mythology, said to derive from the cries they made. Areyiai translates as ‘Slicer’ or ‘Tearer’, giving a clear indication of the kind of creature this was. Originally, they were goddesses of the wind, as the meaning of the word Harpy – ‘to transport’ or ‘to snatch’ – suggests. Certainly they are unpleasant creatures, with hag-like faces, pendulous breasts, bear’s ears and bat wings.

ARGOS/ARGUS

In Greek and Roman mythology, Argos was a giant with a thousand eyes. Sometimes called Panopes (‘he who sees everything’), the giant almost never slept, since at all times, when some of his eyes were closed, others would be open. When Zeus, the father of the gods, had an affair with the nymph Io, his jealous wife Hera kidnapped Io and had her imprisoned under the watchful eyes of Argos. Discovering this, Zeus sent Hermes to rescue her. Hermes lulled the giant to sleep with his lyre, and then killed him and cut off his head. Later, when Hera heard this, she collected Argos’ eyes and set them in the tail of the peacock, a bird that was sacred to her.