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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MorenaDivine and sacred beings (suggested) | Slavic | Winter spirit | 27 |
| MorgensSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Breton and Welsh | Water spirits | 1 |
| Morinji-no-okamaPersonified nature and animated objects (suggested) | Japanese | Animated tea kettle | 5 |
| MormolykeiaSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Greek | Underworld spirit | 3 |
| MoroiThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Romanian | Vampiric ghost | — |
| Moss peopleSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Continental Germanic mythology | Little people and tree spirits | — |
| MothmanGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | American folklore | Large grey winged humanoid with glowing red eyes | — |
| MugwumpGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Canadian folklore | Fish-like lake monster | — |
| MujinaSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Shapeshifting badger spirit | 5 |
| MuldjewangkGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Australian Aboriginal | Water monster | — |
| MultoThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Philippine | Spirit of a deceased person seeking justice or with unfinished business | 1 |
| Muma PăduriiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Romanian folklore | Forest-dwelling hag | — |
| MummyThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Egyptian | Undead creature who revives | 1 |
| Mungoon-GaliGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Australian Aboriginal | Giant goanna | — |
| MuscalietGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Medieval bestiaries | Hare-squirrel-boar hybrid that has an intense body heat | — |
| MuseDivine and sacred beings (suggested) | Greek | Spirits that inspire artists | 3 |
| MushusshuGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Mesopotamian | Hybrid beast with long neck and eagle talons | — |
| MusimonGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Heraldic | Sheep-goat hybrid | — |
| MylingThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Scandinavian folklore | Ghosts of unbaptized children | 6 |
| MyrmecoleonGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Medieval bestiaries | Ant-lion hybrid | — |
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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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