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
Explore by place
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mbói Tu'ĩGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Guaraní | Snake-parrot hybrid | — |
| MbwiriSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Central Africa | Possessing demon | — |
| MedusaGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Greek | Female human-serpent hybrid (Gorgon) with numerous snake heads | 3 |
| Melek TausDivine and sacred beings (suggested) | Yazidi | Divine bird | — |
| MeliaeSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Greek | Ash tree nymph | 3 |
| MelusineSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested)Giants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Medieval folklore | Female water spirit, with the form of a winged mermaid or serpent | — |
| MenehuneSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Hawaiian | Little people and craftsmen | — |
| MenninkäinenSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Finnish | Little people and nature spirits | 1 |
| MenreikiPersonified nature and animated objects (suggested) | Japanese | Spiritual creature formed from 66 gigaku masks | 5 |
| MephistophelesSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | German | Demon or devil | 1 |
| MerlinHumans (suggested) | English | Elderly wizard | 2 |
| MerlionGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Singapore | Lion-fish hybrid; the symbol of Singapore | 1 |
| Mermaid/MermanSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested)Giants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | multiple cultures | Human-fish hybrid | — |
| MerrowSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested)Giants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Irish and Scottish | Human-fish hybrid | 2 |
| Metee-kolen-olHumans (suggested) | Abenaki | Ice-hearted wizards | 1 |
| MimiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Australian Aboriginal | Extremely elongated humanoid that has to live in rock crevasses to avoid blowing away | — |
| Minka BirdSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Australian Aboriginal | Death spirit | — |
| Min Min LightPersonified nature and animated objects (suggested) | Australian | Mysterious light phenomenon | 9 |
| MinokawaGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Philippine | Giant swallow | 1 |
| MinotaurGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Greek | Human-bull hybrid | 3 |
| MintuciSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Ainu | Water spirit | 1 |
| MishibizhiwSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested)Giants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Ojibwa | Feline water spirit | — |
| Misi-ginebigSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Ojibwa | Serpentine rain spirit | — |
| Misi-kinepikwSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Cree | Serpentine rain spirit | — |
| MizuchiGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | Water dragon | 5 |
| Mo-sin-aSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Taiwanese folklore | Mountain demon | 1 |
| MogwaiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Chinese | Vengeful ghost or demon | 1 |
| MohanSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Latin American folklore | Nature spirit | — |
| MoiraiDivine and sacred beings (suggested) | Greek | Three fates | 3 |
| Mokèlé-mbèmbéGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Congo | Water-dwelling creature | 1 |
| MokoiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Australian Aboriginal | Malevolent spirit that kills sorcerers | — |
| MokoreaSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Polynesian | Amphibious humanoid living in the spirit world (underground world) | 17 |
| MoñáiGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Guaraní | Giant snake with antennae | — |
| MondaoSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Zimbabwean folklore | Mermaids/water spirits with long black hair, blood-red eyes, pale skin, and sharp teeth | — |
| MonocerusGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Medieval bestiaries | One-horned stag-horse-elephant-boar hybrid, sometimes treated as distinct from the unicorn | — |
| Mono GrandeGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | South America | Giant monkey | — |
| MonopodGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Medieval bestiaries | Dwarf with one giant foot | — |
| Mooinjer veggeySpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Manx folklore | Nature spirit | — |
| Moon rabbitAnimals (suggested) | Far Eastern folklore | Legendary animal | — |
| MoraSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Slavic | Disembodied spirit | 27 |
If you wish to get access to data for projects and research, then please contact us, we do our best to help
How to cite: Fielder-White, Jonathan (2026). The Folklore Database. Citation version 1.261029.1 (29 October 2026). https://folkloredatabase.com.
0009-0006-1672-4451
The citation version records the access date and does not identify an archived database snapshot.
Please cite the relevant sources, catalogues, and classification systems, including the Folklore Database, Berezkin-Duvakin Catalogue, ATU, Thompson, alongside the page accessed and the last time accessed. Please respect copyright and licences.
Editorial annotations and database enhancements © Jonathan Fielder-White licensed under CC BY 4.0. Berezkin-Duvakin derived narrative and metadata licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Full rights information can be found here.
Rights in original software, interface design and other protected material not expressly licensed for reuse are reserved to their respective rights holders.
Text and data mining: For protected material not offered under a Creative Commons or other reuse licence, the Folklore Database reserves the rights it holds in automated extraction, dataset creation and AI training, to the extent permitted by law. This reservation does not restrict uses permitted by the applicable Creative Commons or other licence, public-domain status, or statutory exceptions and limitations. Third-party material retains its own terms. Please contact us for help identifying the applicable sources, licences and attribution for bulk research access.
Designed and Developed by Jonathan Fielder-White.
© 2024–2026 Crecganford / Jonathan Fielder-White. Rights reserved except where licensed or otherwise stated.