Resources · Creatures, spirits & other beings
Folklore Dictionary
Meet the beings of folklore: explore their names, descriptions and associated traditions, from familiar creatures to less familiar inhabitants of the otherworld.
1,598 reference entries · Browse A–Z or explore by place
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Creature coverage
Zoom or move the map, then choose “Filter to this area” to list creatures with a tradition location in that view. You can combine this with a character family or a search term.
Creatures associated with a tradition
88 creatures at 157 tradition locations · 55 without tradition coordinates
Markers use tradition coordinates linked through source names, recorded aliases, language groups or reviewed associations. Language-group links show cultural context, rather than verified creature occurrences in every tradition. Creatures sharing a location are grouped; select a marker to see their names. Counts cover all matching entries across every results page.
Use the location filter or the list below to browse associated places.
Browse associated places without the map
- Africa (1)
- Ainu (2)
- Anatolia Turks (4)
- Ancient Egypt, Egyptian (1)
- Ancient Greece (12)
- Argentina (1)
- Argentina (1)
- Armenia (1)
- Armenians (2)
- Astrakhan Tatars, Karagash Nogai (4)
- Azeris (Azerbaijanis) (4)
- Aztec; Aztec and Teotihuacan iconography (1)
- Bashkirs (4)
- Basques (2)
- Bengali (1)
- Bosnia Muslims (2)
- Bosnians (2)
- Bulgarians, Balkarians (2)
- Buryats: Eastern (trans Baikal), i.e. Khori (1)
- Buryats: Northern (Lake Baikal) (1)
- Buryats: Western (cis Baikal) (1)
- Byelarusians, Belarusians (2)
- Catalan (1)
- Cañari (1)
- Central Yakuts (Sakha) (5)
- Cherokee (1)
- Chile (1)
- China (1)
- Chol; pre-Columbian Mayan iconography outside of Yucatan (1)
- Chontal (1)
- Chorti (1)
- Chulym Turks (4)
- Chuvash (4)
- Crimean Tatars, Karaims (4)
- Croatians, Croats; Italians of Dalmatia (if the motif is absent among other Italians) (2)
- Czech, Czechs (2)
- Danes, Danish (1)
- Darkhad (1)
- Daur (Daghur) (1)
- Dolgans (4)
- Dongxiang, Baoan (1)
- Dutch, Flemish (1)
- Early Russian written sources (2)
- Easter Island (1)
- Eastern Ukrainians (2)
- Egypt (6)
- England (2)
- England, British, Bretons (3)
- Faroe Islands (1)
- Finland (3)
- Finns (3)
- France (1)
- France (1)
- Frisians (1)
- Gagauz (4)
- Germans: North (Low- and Central German dialects): Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg, Pommern, Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony, incl East Frisia and Oldenburg), Nordrhein-Westfalen, Hessen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Thüringen, Saxony-Anhalt, Sachsen, Brandenburg, Rügen (2)
- Germans: Northeast (Brandenburg, Meklenburg, Rügen, Pommern, Silesia, Posen) (1)
- Germans: South (Upper German dialects): Alsace (Elsass), Baden-Württemberg, Bawaria, Swabia, Switzerland, Bohemia, Sudeten, Austria (1)
- Germans – Southwest: Alsace (Elsass), Baden-Württemberg, Swabia, Switzerland (1)
- Germany (1)
- Greece (12)
- Greeks (modern), Balkarians (12)
- Greeks of Cyprus (12)
- Hawaii (1)
- Hittite, Hurrit (4)
- Huastec (Teenek) (1)
- Icelanders (1)
- Iranian literary tradition (including Avesta, Pahlevi scripts, Sah-nameh, Marzban-nameh); Zoroastrians of Iran, Indian Parsees, Zoroastrianism (1)
- Ireland (1)
- Ireland (1)
- Japan (21)
- Japan (21)
- Japan AD 700-1700 (21)
- Japanese folklore outside of Ryukyu (21)
- Kalmyk (1)
- Kapingamarangi, Nukuoro (1)
- Karachays, Balkar (4)
- Kara Kalpak (4)
- Kashubians (2)
- Kazakh (4)
- Kazan (Middle Volga) Tatars (4)
- Kechua-speaking communities of Apurimac, Cuzco, Arequipa, Puno departments; Spanish sources of XVI-XVII centuries; Callawaya (Kechua with Pukina substratum) (1)
- Kekchi; Mopan (1)
- Khakas (4)
- Khamnigans (1)
- Khoekhoe (=Hottentot; incl Nama, Korana); Damara (1)
- Khwarezm Uzbek; Turkic written tradition from Kök Orda (4)
- Kirghiz (4)
- Kumyk, Terekemen (4)
- Lacandon (1)
- Lithuania (1)
- Lithuanians (1)
- Macedonians, Balkarians (2)
- Malay; Temuan (incl Mantra or Mentra), Jakun (Moken) (2)
- Mam, Ixil, Aguatec, Avakatec (1)
- Mangareva (1)
- Mangbetu (Ngbetu), Mangbutu, Moru, Madi, Lugbara, Lendu (=Bale) (1)
- Maori, Moriori (Chatam Islands) (1)
- Marquesas (1)
- Mongolia (1)
- Mongols (Khalkha) (1)
- Mongols of Inner Mongolia (1)
- Monguor (Tu), Shirongol (1)
- Napo (Quijo), Kanelo (“Jungle Kechua”) (1)
- Ngbakka, Mbum (incl Mbai), Mundang, Fali, Tupuri, Maya (=Bali), Nyong (1)
- Nigeria (1)
- Niue (1)
- Nogai (4)
- Northeastern Yakuts (Sakha): Yana, Indigirka and Kolyma Basins (4)
- Northern Altai: Chelkan, Kumanda, Tubalar, Altaians (4)
- Northern Cook Islands: Rakahanga, Manihiki, Tongareva (1)
- Northern Ryukyu Islands (with southern Kyusyu in case of absence across the rest of Japan (21)
- Northern Ukrainians (2)
- Northwestern Yakuts (Sakha): Yessey, Anabar, Olenyok and Lower Lena Basins (4)
- Norwegians (1)
- Oirats (incl Torgouts, Derbets, Oilots) (1)
- Ontong Java, Nukumanu, Takuu, Nukuria (1)
- People's Republic of China (1)
- Persians (2)
- Philippines (3)
- Philippines (3)
- Poles (2)
- Quiche, Achí, Cakchiquel, Pocomchi, Pocomam (1)
- Russian Pomors ("seasiders"): Lower Pechora (2)
- Russian Pomors ('seasiders'): Terski Coast (Murmansk province) (2)
- Russian Pomors (“seasiders): Arkhangelsk province without its southern part (Shengur district and Konosha dstrict), Karelia White Sea coast (2)
- Russians: Central part of ethnic territory as in A.D. 1500 (Tver, Yaroslavl, Moscow, Kostroma, Vladimir, Ivanovo, Nizhny Novgorod, Ryazan, Tula, Kaluga, Smolensk provinces; in case of absence in other areas also Russians in Vyatka, Perm, Kazan provinces) (2)
- Russians: Novgorod and Pskov provinces (2)
- Russians: Olonets province/SE Karelia, Shengur district of Arkhangelsk province (2)
- Russians: Southern part of ethnic territory as in A.D. 1500 (Belgorod, Voronezh, Tambov, Penza, Lipetsk, Orel, Kursk, Bryansk provinces; in case of absence in other areas also Russians in Samara, Simbirsk and Saratov provinces) (2)
- Russians: Vologda province (incl. Belozersk, Kirillov and Cherepovets districts of form. Novgorod Province) (2)
- Rusyns, Hutsuls (2)
- Salars (4)
- Samoa (1)
- Scandinavians: early written sources ("Edda"; Saxo Grammaticus etc.); Gothland picture stones; Ancient Germans (Late Bronze Age in Scandinavia) (1)
- Scotland, Scots, Picts, Scotti, Scottish (1)
- Serbs, Monte Negro, Balkarians (2)
- Shor (4)
- Siberian Tatars (4)
- Slovakians, Slovaks (2)
- Slovenians, Slovenes (2)
- Society Islands: Tahiti, Borabora, Raiatea (1)
- Solomon Islands (1)
- Sorbians (Luzhitsa Serbs) (2)
- Southern Altai: Altai proper (Altai-Kiji), Telengit, Altaians (4)
- Southern and Central; Ryukyu Islands: Yaeyama, Miyako, Okinawa (21)
- Southern Cook Islands: Mangaia, Rarotonga, Atiu, Iatutakim Pukapuka, Tubuai (=Austral Islands, incl Rapa) (1)
- Stavropol Turkmen (recent migrants from Mangyshlak Peninsular) (4)
- Swedes (1)
- Terek Cossacks (2)
- Tikopia, Bellona, Rennell, partly Aneytium, Futuna (=Erronan, not to be mixed with Futuna in Western Polynesia), Vaeaka-Taumato, incl Matema, Nifeloli, Nukapu, Nupani, Pileni (1)
- Tofa (Karagas) (4)
- Tojolabal, Chuj, Jacalteca, Kanjobal, Mocho (incl Tuzantec), Acatec (1)
- Tonga (1)
- Transylvanian Saksons (1)
- Tsimshian (1)
- Tuamotu, incl Pukapuka (different from Pukapuka in Cook Islands), Vahitahi, Anaa, Hao, Fangatau (1)
- Turkmen (4)
- Tuvalu (Ellice) (1)
- Tuvinians of Monglian Altai (4)
- Tuvinians of Tuva, Tuvans (4)
- Tzeltal (1)
- Tzotzil (1)
- Tzutujil (1)
- Uyghur (4)
- Uzbek (4)
- Wales (2)
- Wallis (=Uvea, different from Melanesian Uvea), Futuna (1)
- Wawenock, Abenaki, Penobscot (4)
- Western Ukrainians (2)
- Western Yakuts (Sakha): Olekma and Vilyuy Basins (4)
- Yucatec, Itza (1)
- Yugur (Sarïg Yogïr, Yellow Uyghur) (4)
Browse the dictionary
143 matching entries
| Creature | Tradition | Description | Map locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| AmmitSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested)Giants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Ancient Egyptian | Female demon who was part lion, hippopotamus and crocodile and devoured the souls of the wicked. | — |
| AmorōnaguDivine and sacred beings (suggested) | Japanese | Tennyo from the island of Amami Ōshima. | 5 |
| AmphiptereGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Heraldic | Winged serpent. | — |
| AmphisbaenaGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Greek | Serpent with a head at each end. | 3 |
| AnakGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Jewish | Giant. | — |
| AnansiDivine and sacred beings (suggested)Giants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Ghanian | Half human half spider trickster diety from Akan folklore. | — |
| Andean wolfAnimals (suggested) | Argentina | Mountain wolf | 1 |
| AndrosphinxGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Ancient Egyptian | Human-headed sphinx. | — |
| AngelDivine and sacred beings (suggested) | mainly Christian, Jewish, Islamic traditions | Divine beings of Heaven who act as mediators between God and humans; the counterparts of Demons. | — |
| AnggitayGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Philippine | The Philippine counterpart to the centuaride. | 1 |
| Ani HyuntikwalaskiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Cherokee | Lightning spirit. | 1 |
| AnkouThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | French | Skeletal grave watcher with a lantern and scythe. | 1 |
| AnmoSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Ritual disciplinary demon from Iwate Prefecture. | 5 |
| AnqaGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Arabian | Giant mythical female bird similar to a phoenix. | — |
| AntaeusDivine and sacred beings (suggested)Giants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Greek | Giant who was extremely strong as long as he remained in contact with the ground. | 3 |
| Antero VipunenGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Finnish | Subterranean giant. | 1 |
| Anthropomorphic AnimalsAnimals (suggested) | Worldwide | Humanoid Animals | — |
| AnubisDivine and sacred beings (suggested) | Ancient Egyptian | God of funerals | — |
| AnzûDivine and sacred beings (suggested)Giants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Sumerian | Divine storm bird | 1 |
| AoGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Chinese | Giant turtle. | 1 |
| Ao AoGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Guaraní | Anthropophagous peccary or sheep. | — |
| AobōzuSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Blue monk who kidnaps children. | 5 |
| ApkalluDivine and sacred beings (suggested)Giants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Sumerian | Fish-human hybrid that attends the god Enki. | 1 |
| ApophisDivine and sacred beings (suggested) | Ancient Egyptian | The Serpent Diety of chaos, darkness and fire. | — |
| ApsarasSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Buddhist and Hindu | Female cloud spirit. | — |
| AqrabuameluGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Akkadian | Human-scorpion hybrid. | — |
| ArachneGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Greek mythology | Centaurid, human-spider hybrid. | 3 |
| AralezDivine and sacred beings (suggested)Giants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Armenian | The oldest gods in the Armenian pantheon | 1 |
| ArchuraSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Turkic | Shapeshifting woodland spirit | 35 |
| Ardat-lilîSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Akkadian | Disease demon. | — |
| Argus PanoptesGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Greek | Hundred-eyed giant. | 3 |
| Arikura-no-babaHumans (suggested) | Japanese | Old woman with magical powers. | 5 |
| ArimaspiHumans (suggested) | Greek | One-eyed humanoid. | 3 |
| ArionAnimals (suggested) | Greek | Swift green-maned talking horse. | 3 |
| Arkan SonneyAnimals (suggested)Spirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Manx | Fairy hedgehog. | — |
| AsagSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Sumerian | Hideous rock demon. | 1 |
| AsakkuSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Sumerian | Demon. | 1 |
| AsanbosamGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | West Africa | Iron-toothed vampire. | — |
| AsenaAnimals (suggested) | Turkic | Blue-maned wolf. | 35 |
| Ashi-magariSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Invisible tendril that impedes movement. | 5 |
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How to cite: Fielder-White, Jonathan (2026). The Folklore Database. Citation version 1.261029.1 (29 October 2026). https://folkloredatabase.com.
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