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
59 creatures at 6 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
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59 matching entries
| Creature | Tradition | Description | Map locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| ShenlongDivine and sacred beings (suggested)Giants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Chinese | Weather dragon | 1 |
| ShishiGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Chinese | Protective animal | 1 |
| Shui GuiThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Chinese | Drowned ghost | 1 |
| TaotieSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Chinese | Greed spirit | 1 |
| Taowu | Chinese | A stubborn beast | 1 |
| TiangouAnimals (suggested) | Chinese | Meteoric dog | 1 |
| TianlongGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Chinese | Celestial dragon | 1 |
| WangliangSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested)Giants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Chinese | Malevolent spirit or monster | 1 |
| Water monkeySpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Chinese | Water spirit | 1 |
| Wu Tou GuiThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Chinese | Beheaded ghost | 1 |
| Xiao (mythology)Animals (suggested) | Chinese | Ape or four-winged bird | 1 |
| Xing TianGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Chinese | Headless giant | 1 |
| YamaDivine and sacred beings (suggested) | China, Korea, Japan, Buddhism, including Tibet | Wrathful god | 2 |
| YaoguaiDivine and sacred beings (suggested)Spirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Chinese | Animalistic demon or fallen gods | 1 |
| You Hun Ye GuiThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Chinese | Wandering ghost | 1 |
| Yuan GuiThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Chinese | Distressed ghost | 1 |
| ZhulongGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Chinese | Pig-headed dragon | 1 |
| Zhū QuèAnimals (suggested) | Chinese | Fire elemental bird | 1 |
| ZouyuAnimals (suggested)Spirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Chinese | Long and big Cat-like Spirit with a long, red tail | 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.
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