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
51 creatures at 96 tradition locations · 49 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
- Ainu (1)
- Ancient Egypt, Egyptian (1)
- Ancient Greece (8)
- Arnhem Land: Enindhilyagwa (Groote Eilandt), KuTiwi, Yulengor, Mara, Oenpelli, Murngin, Roper River, Maung, Murinbata, Murngin (Duwal), Millingimbi, Goulburn Island, Ngulugwongga, Yirrkalla, Voctoria River Downs, Alawa, Anu, Kunwinjku (1)
- Australia (1)
- Basques (1)
- Bosnia Muslims (5)
- Bosnians (5)
- Brazil (1)
- Bulgarians, Balkarians (5)
- Byelarusians, Belarusians (5)
- Canada (1)
- Central Australia: Kaitish, Warramunga, Arunta (Aranda), Loritja (Kukatja), Pijandjara (Pitjantjara), Adnjamatana (Andjamathana, Wailpi), Aluridja, Walpiri (Walbiri), Aluridja, Matuntara (Maduntara), Nambutji, Wamma (=Wommana?) (1)
- China (1)
- Colombia (1)
- Congo (1)
- Croatians, Croats; Italians of Dalmatia (if the motif is absent among other Italians) (5)
- Czech, Czechs (5)
- Danes, Danish (3)
- Dutch, Flemish (1)
- Early Russian written sources (5)
- Easter Island (1)
- Eastern Ukrainians (5)
- Egypt (1)
- England (2)
- England, British, Bretons (3)
- Estonia (1)
- Estonians (1)
- Faroe Islands (3)
- Finland (1)
- Finns (1)
- France (1)
- France (1)
- Frisians (1)
- 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 (8)
- Greeks (modern), Balkarians (8)
- Greeks of Cyprus (8)
- Hawaii (1)
- Icelanders (3)
- India (1)
- Ireland (1)
- Italians: Central (Toscana, Umbria, Marche, Lazio) (1)
- Italy (1)
- Japan (5)
- Japan (5)
- Japan AD 700-1700 (5)
- Japanese folklore outside of Ryukyu (5)
- Kapingamarangi, Nukuoro (1)
- Kashubians (5)
- Kenya (1)
- Kenya (1)
- Kimberley Plateau: Gwini, Roebuck Bay, Forest River tribes, Drysdale River tribes, Njulnjul, Ungarinyin, Unambal, Bad (Baada) (1)
- Latvia (1)
- Latvians (1)
- Lithuania (1)
- Lithuanians (1)
- Macedonians, Balkarians (5)
- Mangareva (1)
- Maori, Moriori (Chatam Islands) (3)
- Marquesas (1)
- Niue (1)
- Northern Cook Islands: Rakahanga, Manihiki, Tongareva (1)
- Northern Ryukyu Islands (with southern Kyusyu in case of absence across the rest of Japan (5)
- Northern Ukrainians (5)
- Norwegians (3)
- Ontong Java, Nukumanu, Takuu, Nukuria (1)
- People's Republic of China (1)
- Persians (1)
- Philippines (3)
- Philippines (3)
- Poles (5)
- Queensland: Mungkan (Wikmunkan), Wiknatara, Bloomfield River, Cape Bedford, Cape Grafton, Kokowara (Koko-Warra), Koko-yalunyu (Kokokulunggur), Bunya Bunya, Waka-Waka (Wakawaka), Kabikabi, Chepara (1)
- Romania (2)
- Russian Pomors ("seasiders"): Lower Pechora (5)
- Russian Pomors ('seasiders'): Terski Coast (Murmansk province) (5)
- Russian Pomors (“seasiders): Arkhangelsk province without its southern part (Shengur district and Konosha dstrict), Karelia White Sea coast (5)
- 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) (5)
- Russians: Novgorod and Pskov provinces (5)
- Russians: Olonets province/SE Karelia, Shengur district of Arkhangelsk province (5)
- 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) (5)
- Russians: Vologda province (incl. Belozersk, Kirillov and Cherepovets districts of form. Novgorod Province) (5)
- Rusyns, Hutsuls (5)
- Saibai, Dauan, Boigu, Badu, Waraber, Wet, Warei, Dauar, Badu, Moa (1)
- Samoa (1)
- Scandinavians: early written sources ("Edda"; Saxo Grammaticus etc.); Gothland picture stones; Ancient Germans (Late Bronze Age in Scandinavia) (3)
- Scotland, Scots, Picts, Scotti, Scottish (2)
- Serbs, Monte Negro, Balkarians (5)
- Singapore (1)
- Slovakians, Slovaks (5)
- Slovenians, Slovenes (5)
- Society Islands: Tahiti, Borabora, Raiatea (1)
- Sorbians (Luzhitsa Serbs) (5)
- South America (1)
- Southeast Australia: Kamilaroi, Yualarai (Ualarai, Euahlayi), Milpulo (Mailpurgu), Wuradjeri (Wiradjurim, Wiradjeri, Wurundjeri, Yarra, Yarra Yarra), Wongaibon (Wonghibon), Noongahburrah (Narran, Narran River), Kurnai, and many others (see file 0.doc) (1)
- Southern and Central; Ryukyu Islands: Yaeyama, Miyako, Okinawa (5)
- Southern Australia: Dieri, Urabunna (Arabana), Flinderce Mountains, Kujani, Andyamatana (Andjamatana, Wailpi) (1)
- Southern Cook Islands: Mangaia, Rarotonga, Atiu, Iatutakim Pukapuka, Tubuai (=Austral Islands, incl Rapa) (1)
- Southern Taiwan: Rukai, Paiwan, Puyuma, Saaroa, Ketangalan (1)
- Swedes (3)
- Taiwan (1)
- Tasmania (1)
- Terek Cossacks (5)
- 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)
- Tonga (1)
- Transylvanian Saksons (1)
- Tuamotu, incl Pukapuka (different from Pukapuka in Cook Islands), Vahitahi, Anaa, Hao, Fangatau (2)
- Tuvalu (Ellice) (1)
- Wales (2)
- Wallis (=Uvea, different from Melanesian Uvea), Futuna (1)
- Wawenock, Abenaki, Penobscot (2)
- Western Australia: Walmanjeri, Njolnjol (Njulnjul, Nyul-Nyul), Worora, Kariara (Karierra), Karadjari (Karadjeri, Garadjari), Djaberdjaber (Djaberadjabera), Ngarluma, Wiilman (Wheelman), Bibbulmum (Pebelman), Burong (Panaka) (1)
- Western Ukrainians (5)
- Zimbabwe (1)
Browse the dictionary
100 matching entries
| Creature | Tradition | Description | Map locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maa-alusedSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Estonian | Subterranean spirit | 1 |
| Machlyes | Medieval bestiaries | Hermaphroditic humanoid | — |
| MacrocephaliGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Medieval bestiaries | Giant-headed humanoid | — |
| Madam Koi KoiThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | West African Mythology | Female ghost | — |
| Madremonte | Colombian folklore | Nature guardian | — |
| Maenad | Greek | Female followers of Dionysus | 3 |
| Maero | Māori | Savage, arboreal humanoids | 1 |
| MagogGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | English folklore | Giant protector of London | 2 |
| Maha-pudmaAnimals (suggested)Giants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Hindu | Giant elephant that holds up the world | — |
| MahuikaDivine and sacred beings (suggested) | Māori | Māori fire goddess | 1 |
| MairuGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Basque | Megalith-building giant | 1 |
| Mājas gariSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Latvian | Benevolent house spirit | 1 |
| MajituSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Not specified | in Swahili mythology, shape-shifting spirits that can pass as humans | — |
| Makara | Indian mythology | Aquatic beings | — |
| Makura-gaeshiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese mythology | Pillow-moving spirit | 5 |
| Mallt-y-NosSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Welsh | Spirit of the hunt | 1 |
| Mami WataSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Africa and the African diaspora | Supernaturally beautiful water spirits | — |
| MamunaSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Slavic | Demoness or fairy | 27 |
| Manananggal | Philippine | Vampires that sever their torsos from their legs to fly around | 1 |
| Mandi | Medieval bestiaries | Humanoid with a forty-year lifespan | — |
| MandrakePersonified nature and animated objects (suggested) | Medieval folklore | Diminutive humanoid plant | — |
| ManesSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested)The dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Roman | Ancestral spirits | — |
| MannegishiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Cree | Little people with six fingers and no noses | — |
| ManticoreGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Persian | Lion-human-scorpion hybrid | 1 |
| MapinguariGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Brazilian | Giant sloth | — |
| MaraSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Scandinavian folklore | Female night-demon | 6 |
| MarabbeccaSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Italian folklore | Malevolent water spirit | 1 |
| Mare | Germanic and Slavic folklore | Malicious entity which causes or appears in bad dreams | 42 |
| Mareikura | Tuamotu | Attendant of Kiho-tumu, the supreme god | 1 |
| Mares of DiomedesAnimals (suggested) | Greek | Man-eating horses | 3 |
| MaridSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Arabian | Jinn-associated fortune tellers | — |
| MarmennillSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Norse | Mermen with prophetic abilities | — |
| Maro deivėsSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Lithuanian | Disease spirits | 1 |
| MaroziGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Kenya | Lion-leopard hybrid | 1 |
| Maski-mon-gwe-zo-osAnimals (suggested)Spirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Abenaki | Shapeshifting toad spirit | 1 |
| MatagotSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | French | Spirit that takes animal form, usually that of a black cat | 1 |
| Matsya | Hindu | First Avatar of Vishnu in the form of a half-fish and half-man | — |
| MavkaSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Slavic | Female forest spirit | 27 |
| MayuraSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Hindu | Peacock spirit | — |
| MazzikinSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Jewish | Invisible, malevolent spirit | — |
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How to cite: Fielder-White, Jonathan (2026). The Folklore Database. Citation version 1.261028.1 (28 October 2026). https://folkloredatabase.com.
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