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
13 creatures at 17 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.
Browse associated places without the map
- Easter Island (2)
- Hawaii (2)
- Kapingamarangi, Nukuoro (2)
- Mangareva (2)
- Maori, Moriori (Chatam Islands) (13)
- Marquesas (2)
- Niue (2)
- Northern Cook Islands: Rakahanga, Manihiki, Tongareva (2)
- Ontong Java, Nukumanu, Takuu, Nukuria (2)
- Samoa (2)
- Society Islands: Tahiti, Borabora, Raiatea (2)
- Southern Cook Islands: Mangaia, Rarotonga, Atiu, Iatutakim Pukapuka, Tubuai (=Austral Islands, incl Rapa) (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 (2)
- Tonga (2)
- Tuamotu, incl Pukapuka (different from Pukapuka in Cook Islands), Vahitahi, Anaa, Hao, Fangatau (2)
- Tuvalu (Ellice) (2)
- Wallis (=Uvea, different from Melanesian Uvea), Futuna (2)
Browse the dictionary
13 matching entries
| Creature | Tradition | Description | Map locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| AituSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Polynesian | Malevolent spirits or demons. | 17 |
| Hākuturi | Māori | nature guardian | 1 |
| Maero | Māori | Savage, arboreal humanoids | 1 |
| MahuikaDivine and sacred beings (suggested) | Māori | Māori fire goddess | 1 |
| MokoreaSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Polynesian | Amphibious humanoid living in the spirit world (underground world) | 17 |
| Nuku-mai-toreSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Māori | Forest spirit | 1 |
| PatupaireheSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Māori | White-skinned nature spirits | 1 |
| Ponaturi | Māori | Grotesque, malevolent humanoid | 1 |
| PouākaiAnimals (suggested)Giants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Māori | Giant bird | 1 |
| TaniwhaSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Māori | Water spirit | 1 |
| Te Wheke-a-MuturangiAnimals (suggested) | Māori | Gigantic octopus | 1 |
| TipuaSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Māori | Spirit that protects a specific place | 1 |
| TurehuSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Māori | Pale spirit | 1 |
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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.
0009-0006-1672-4451
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