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
22 creatures at 5 tradition locations · 0 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.
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22 matching entries
| Creature | Tradition | Description | Map locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| YadōkaiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Malevolent, nocturnal spirit | 5 |
| Yagyō-sanSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Demon who rides through the night on a headless horse | 5 |
| Yakubyō-gamiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Disease and misfortune spirit | 5 |
| Yama-bikoSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Echo spirit | 5 |
| Yama-bito | Japanese | Savage, mountain-dwelling humanoid | 5 |
| Yama-chichiAnimals (suggested)Spirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Monkey-like mountain spirit | 5 |
| Yama-inuAnimals (suggested)Spirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Dog-like mountain spirit | 5 |
| Yama-otokoGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | Mountain giant | 5 |
| Yama-uba | Japanese | Malevolent, mountain-dwelling hag | 5 |
| Yama-waroSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Hairy, one-eyed spirit | 5 |
| Yamata no OrochiAnimals (suggested) | Japanese | Gigantic, eight-headed serpent | 5 |
| YanariSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Spirit which causes strange noises | 5 |
| YatagarasuAnimals (suggested) | Japanese | Three-legged crow of Amaterasu | 5 |
| Yato-no-kamiAnimals (suggested)Spirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Serpent spirits | 5 |
| YobukoSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Mountain dwelling spirit | 5 |
| YōkaiGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | Supernatural monster | 5 |
| Yomotsu-shikome | Japanese | Underworld hag | 5 |
| YōseiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Fairy | 5 |
| YosuzumeAnimals (suggested) | Japanese | Mysterious bird that sings at night, sometimes indicating that the okuri-inu is near | 5 |
| Yuki-onnaSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Female snow spirit | 5 |
| YukinkoSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Childlike snow spirit | 5 |
| YūreiThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Japanese | Ghost | 5 |
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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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