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
958 creatures at 260 tradition locations · 640 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
- Africa (4)
- Ainu (4)
- Akan, Ashanti, Akwapim; Ga (Accra), Kra, Twi (Chwi, Chi) (1)
- Albania (15)
- Albanians, Balkarians (15)
- Anambe (2)
- Anatolia Turks (11)
- Ancient Egypt, Egyptian (8)
- Ancient Greece (110)
- Angola (1)
- Argentina (1)
- Argentina (1)
- Armenia (3)
- Armenians (4)
- 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 (3)
- Asia (1)
- Astrakhan Tatars, Karagash Nogai (9)
- Asurini, Parakana; Arawete (2)
- Athna (1)
- Australia (3)
- Australia (1)
- Azeris (Azerbaijanis) (9)
- Aztec; Aztec and Teotihuacan iconography (11)
- Bashkirs (9)
- Basques (12)
- Batak (Toba, Dairi) (1)
- Beaver (1)
- Belarus (1)
- Bengali (2)
- Bhutan (1)
- Bosnia Muslims (54)
- Bosnians (54)
- Brazil (8)
- Bretagne (4)
- Bulgarians, Balkarians (54)
- Burmese, Intha (1)
- Buryats: Eastern (trans Baikal), i.e. Khori (1)
- Buryats: Northern (Lake Baikal) (1)
- Buryats: Western (cis Baikal) (1)
- Byelarusians, Belarusians (54)
- Canada (1)
- Canada (2)
- Carrier (1)
- Catalan (6)
- Cañari (1)
- Central America (1)
- Central Australia: Kaitish, Warramunga, Arunta (Aranda), Loritja (Kukatja), Pijandjara (Pitjantjara), Adnjamatana (Andjamathana, Wailpi), Aluridja, Walpiri (Walbiri), Aluridja, Matuntara (Maduntara), Nambutji, Wamma (=Wommana?) (3)
- Central Tibetans (Yu Tsang, incl. Sikkim Tibetans, Tichurong of NW Nepal) (9)
- Central Yakuts (Sakha) (11)
- Cherokee (5)
- Chile (1)
- Chilkotin (1)
- China (59)
- Chipewyan (1)
- Chiricahua (1)
- Choctaw, Chicasaw (1)
- Chol; pre-Columbian Mayan iconography outside of Yucatan (8)
- Chontal (8)
- Chorti (8)
- Chukchi (1)
- Chulym Turks (9)
- Chuvash (9)
- Colombia (7)
- Congo (1)
- Crimean Tatars, Karaims (9)
- Croatians, Croats; Italians of Dalmatia (if the motif is absent among other Italians) (54)
- Cuiva (1)
- Czech, Czechs (54)
- Danes, Danish (27)
- Darkhad (1)
- Daur (Daghur) (1)
- Denaina (1)
- Denmark (1)
- Dogon (1)
- Dogrib, Slavey (1)
- Dolgans (10)
- Dongxiang, Baoan (1)
- Dutch, Flemish (15)
- Early Russian written sources (54)
- Easter Island (2)
- Eastern Ukrainians (54)
- Egypt (14)
- England (36)
- England, British, Bretons (49)
- Estonia (1)
- Estonians (1)
- Europe (5)
- Faroe Islands (28)
- Finland (15)
- Finns (15)
- Five Nations Iroquois (Seneca, Mohawk, Onondaga, Oneida, Cayuga) (2)
- Flores, incl Mangarai (Western Flores), Nage, Keo, Riung, Ngada or Nad'a (Central Flores), Sika (Eastern Flores) (1)
- France (13)
- France (14)
- Frisians (13)
- Gagauz (9)
- 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 (29)
- Germans: Northeast (Brandenburg, Meklenburg, Rügen, Pommern, Silesia, Posen) (12)
- Germans: South (Upper German dialects): Alsace (Elsass), Baden-Württemberg, Bawaria, Swabia, Switzerland, Bohemia, Sudeten, Austria (13)
- Germans – Southwest: Alsace (Elsass), Baden-Württemberg, Swabia, Switzerland (12)
- Germany (16)
- Germany (1)
- Greece (109)
- Greeks (modern), Balkarians (110)
- Greeks of Cyprus (110)
- Guyana (5)
- Gwich'in (Kuchin, Loucheux) (1)
- Han (1)
- Hare (K'ahsho Got'ine) (1)
- Hawaii (2)
- Hittite, Hurrit (9)
- Hopi (1)
- Huastec (Teenek) (8)
- Hungarians (2)
- Hungary (3)
- Hupa, Chilula (1)
- Iceland (1)
- Icelanders (29)
- India (4)
- Indian literary tradition (Vedic, Brahman, Purana, Indian Buddhism, Hinduism, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Panchtantra, Jatakas); iconography of Hindu temples (2)
- Indonesia (2)
- Indonesia (1)
- Ingalik (Der Hit’an) (1)
- Iranian literary tradition (including Avesta, Pahlevi scripts, Sah-nameh, Marzban-nameh); Zoroastrians of Iran, Indian Parsees, Zoroastrianism (2)
- Ireland (14)
- Ireland (23)
- Italians: Central (Toscana, Umbria, Marche, Lazio) (3)
- Italy (3)
- Japan (229)
- Japan (231)
- Japan AD 700-1700 (230)
- Japanese folklore outside of Ryukyu (230)
- Jicarilla (1)
- Kalmyk (1)
- Kapingamarangi, Nukuoro (2)
- Karachays, Balkar (9)
- Kara Kalpak (9)
- Kashubians (54)
- Kaska (1)
- Kazakh (9)
- Kazan (Middle Volga) Tatars (9)
- Kechua-speaking communities of Apurimac, Cuzco, Arequipa, Puno departments; Spanish sources of XVI-XVII centuries; Callawaya (Kechua with Pukina substratum) (1)
- Kekchi; Mopan (8)
- Kenya (1)
- Kenya (1)
- Khakas (9)
- Khamnigans (1)
- Khoekhoe (=Hottentot; incl Nama, Korana); Damara (3)
- Khwarezm Uzbek; Turkic written tradition from Kök Orda (9)
- Kimberley Plateau: Gwini, Roebuck Bay, Forest River tribes, Drysdale River tribes, Njulnjul, Ungarinyin, Unambal, Bad (Baada) (3)
- Kiowa Apache (1)
- Kirghiz (9)
- Korea (9)
- Koreans (9)
- Koyukon (1)
- Kumyk, Terekemen (9)
- Kwakiutl (Kwakwaka'wakw) (2)
- Lacandon (8)
- Latvia (6)
- Latvia (1)
- Latvians (7)
- Lenape (Delaware) (1)
- Lipan (1)
- Lithuania (11)
- Lithuanians (13)
- Macedonians, Balkarians (54)
- Malay; Temuan (incl Mantra or Mentra), Jakun (Moken) (12)
- Maltese (1)
- Mam, Ixil, Aguatec, Avakatec (8)
- Mangareva (2)
- Mangbetu (Ngbetu), Mangbutu, Moru, Madi, Lugbara, Lendu (=Bale) (1)
- Maori, Moriori (Chatam Islands) (13)
- Mapuche (9)
- Marquesas (2)
- Mescalero (1)
- Mestizos of Soconuzco; Cotzumapguapa iconography (2)
- Mexico (1)
- Micmac (4)
- Mongolia (1)
- Mongols (Khalkha) (1)
- Mongols of Inner Mongolia (1)
- Monguor (Tu), Shirongol (1)
- Myanmar (1)
- Napo (Quijo), Kanelo (“Jungle Kechua”) (1)
- Navajo (2)
- Nepal (3)
- Nepali; Tharu (3)
- Netherlands (3)
- Ngbakka, Mbum (incl Mbai), Mundang, Fali, Tupuri, Maya (=Bali), Nyong (8)
- Nigeria (3)
- Nigeria (2)
- Niue (2)
- Nogai (9)
- Nordic countries (5)
- Northeastern Yakuts (Sakha): Yana, Indigirka and Kolyma Basins (10)
- Northern Altai: Chelkan, Kumanda, Tubalar, Altaians (9)
- Northern Cook Islands: Rakahanga, Manihiki, Tongareva (2)
- Northern Ryukyu Islands (with southern Kyusyu in case of absence across the rest of Japan (230)
- Northern Ukrainians (54)
- Northwestern Yakuts (Sakha): Yessey, Anabar, Olenyok and Lower Lena Basins (10)
- Norwegians (26)
- Oirats (incl Torgouts, Derbets, Oilots) (1)
- Old and New Testament (1)
- Ontong Java, Nukumanu, Takuu, Nukuria (3)
- Oregon Athabaskans: Lower Umpqua, Tututni (incl Joshua), Upper Coquille, Galice, Tolowa (1)
- Ossetians (1)
- Paya (Pech), Sumu, Misquito (1)
- People's Republic of China (56)
- Persians (15)
- Peru (1)
- Peru (1)
- Philippines (25)
- Philippines (25)
- Poland (4)
- Poles (58)
- Portugal (3)
- Portuguese, Portugal (3)
- Prussians (2)
- Queensland: Mungkan (Wikmunkan), Wiknatara, Bloomfield River, Cape Bedford, Cape Grafton, Kokowara (Koko-Warra), Koko-yalunyu (Kokokulunggur), Bunya Bunya, Waka-Waka (Wakawaka), Kabikabi, Chepara (3)
- Quiche, Achí, Cakchiquel, Pocomchi, Pocomam (8)
- Romania (16)
- Russia (5)
- Russian Federation (5)
- Russian Pomors ("seasiders"): Lower Pechora (54)
- Russian Pomors ('seasiders'): Terski Coast (Murmansk province) (54)
- Russian Pomors (“seasiders): Arkhangelsk province without its southern part (Shengur district and Konosha dstrict), Karelia White Sea coast (54)
- 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) (54)
- Russians: Novgorod and Pskov provinces (54)
- Russians: Olonets province/SE Karelia, Shengur district of Arkhangelsk province (54)
- 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) (54)
- Russians: Vologda province (incl. Belozersk, Kirillov and Cherepovets districts of form. Novgorod Province) (54)
- Rusyns, Hutsuls (54)
- Saibai, Dauan, Boigu, Badu, Waraber, Wet, Warei, Dauar, Badu, Moa (3)
- Salars (9)
- Samoa (2)
- Sardinia, Corsica, Sardinians, Corsicans (1)
- Sarsee (Tsuu T'ina) (1)
- Scandinavia (11)
- Scandinavians: early written sources ("Edda"; Saxo Grammaticus etc.); Gothland picture stones; Ancient Germans (Late Bronze Age in Scandinavia) (26)
- Scotland, Scots, Picts, Scotti, Scottish (42)
- Scythians, Scythe (1)
- Serbia (4)
- Serbs, Monte Negro, Balkarians (54)
- Shor (9)
- Siberian Tatars (10)
- Singapore (1)
- Slovakians, Slovaks (54)
- Slovenia (1)
- Slovenians, Slovenes (54)
- Society Islands: Tahiti, Borabora, Raiatea (2)
- Solomon Islands (1)
- Sorbians (Luzhitsa Serbs) (54)
- South Africa (1)
- South Africa (1)
- South America (2)
- 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) (3)
- Southern Altai: Altai proper (Altai-Kiji), Telengit, Altaians (9)
- Southern and Central; Ryukyu Islands: Yaeyama, Miyako, Okinawa (230)
- Southern Australia: Dieri, Urabunna (Arabana), Flinderce Mountains, Kujani, Andyamatana (Andjamatana, Wailpi) (3)
- Southern Cook Islands: Mangaia, Rarotonga, Atiu, Iatutakim Pukapuka, Tubuai (=Austral Islands, incl Rapa) (2)
- Southern Taiwan: Rukai, Paiwan, Puyuma, Saaroa, Ketangalan (5)
- Spain (2)
- Stavropol Turkmen (recent migrants from Mangyshlak Peninsular) (9)
- Sweden (2)
- Swedes (28)
- Tagish (1)
- Tahltan (1)
- Taiwan (5)
- Tanana (1)
- Tapirape (2)
- Tasmania (3)
- Tats (5)
- Tenetehara (2)
- Terek Cossacks (54)
- Thailand (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 (2)
- Tlingit (1)
- Tofa (Karagas) (9)
- Tojolabal, Chuj, Jacalteca, Kanjobal, Mocho (incl Tuzantec), Acatec (8)
- Tonga (2)
- Transylvanian Saksons (12)
- Trinidad and Tobago (1)
- Tsetsaut (1)
- Tsimshian (1)
- Tuamotu, incl Pukapuka (different from Pukapuka in Cook Islands), Vahitahi, Anaa, Hao, Fangatau (3)
- Tuareg (1)
- Tupinamba (2)
- Turkey (1)
- Turkmen (9)
- Tutchone (1)
- Tuvalu (Ellice) (2)
- Tuvinians of Monglian Altai (9)
- Tuvinians of Tuva, Tuvans (9)
- Tzeltal (8)
- Tzotzil (8)
- Tzutujil (8)
- United States (3)
- Upper Kuskokwim (Kolchan) (1)
- Upper Tanana (Nebesna), Tanacross (1)
- Urubu (Urubu-Kaapor) (2)
- Uyghur (9)
- Uzbek (9)
- Venezuela (3)
- Venezuela (3)
- Vietnam (1)
- Vietnam (1)
- Wailaki, Mattole, Lassik, Sinkyone, Cahto (1)
- Wales (20)
- Wallis (=Uvea, different from Melanesian Uvea), Futuna (2)
- Wawenock, Abenaki, Penobscot (22)
- Western Apache (White Mountain, San Carlos) (1)
- Western Australia: Walmanjeri, Njolnjol (Njulnjul, Nyul-Nyul), Worora, Kariara (Karierra), Karadjari (Karadjeri, Garadjari), Djaberdjaber (Djaberadjabera), Ngarluma, Wiilman (Wheelman), Bibbulmum (Pebelman), Burong (Panaka) (3)
- Western Ukrainians (54)
- Western Yakuts (Sakha): Olekma and Vilyuy Basins (10)
- Yellowknife (1)
- Yoruba; incl Ife), Nupe, Bini (Edo), Engenni, Chamba, Dakka, Kukuruku (2)
- Yucatec, Itza (8)
- Yugur (Sarïg Yogïr, Yellow Uyghur) (9)
- Zimbabwe (1)
- Zulu, Swazi (3)
Browse the dictionary
1,598 matching entries
| Creature | Tradition | Description | Map locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| DhampirGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Balkans | Human/vampire hybrid | — |
| Diao Si GuiThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Chinese | Hanged ghost | 1 |
| DilongGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Chinese | Earth dragon | 1 |
| DipGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Catalan | Demonic and vampiric dog | 1 |
| Di PenatesDivine and sacred beings (suggested) | Roman | House spirit | — |
| DipsaAnimals (suggested) | Medieval Bestiaries | Extremely venomous snake | — |
| DirawongSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Australian Aboriginal | Goanna spirit | — |
| Di sma undar jordiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Gotland | Little people and nature spirits | — |
| DitingGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | China | Horned White Canine | 1 |
| DjallSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Albanian | Devil | 1 |
| Do-gakw-ho-wadSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Abenaki | Little people | 1 |
| Dobhar-chuGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Irish | King otter | 1 |
| DokkaebiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Korean | Grotesque, horned humanoids | 1 |
| DökkálfarSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested)The dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Norse | Male ancestral spirits; the Dark Elves | — |
| DolaSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Slavic | Tutelary and fate spirit | 27 |
| DomovoiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Slavic | House spirit | 27 |
| DoppelgängerSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | German | Ghostly double | 1 |
| DracGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | French | Winged sea serpent | 1 |
| DracGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Catalan | Lion or bull-faced dragon | 1 |
| DragonGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Many cultures worldwide | Fire-breathing and (normally) winged reptiles | — |
| Dragon turtleGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Chinese | Giant turtle with dragon-like head | 1 |
| DrakainaGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Greek | Dragons depicted with female characteristics | 3 |
| DrakonGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Greek | Greek dragons | 3 |
| DrangueDivine and sacred beings (suggested) | Albanian | Semi-human winged warriors | 1 |
| DraugrThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Norse | Undead | — |
| DrekavacThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Slavic | Restless ghost of an unbaptised child | 27 |
| Dr Jekyll and Mr HydeHumans (suggested) | Not specified | A description has not yet been recorded. | — |
| Drop BearGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Australian | Large carnivorous koala that hunts by dropping on its prey from trees | 9 |
| DrowSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Scottish | Cavern spirit | 1 |
| DrudeSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | German | Possessing demon | 1 |
| DruidHumans (suggested) | Not specified | A description has not yet been recorded. | — |
| DrukGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Bhutanese | Dragon | — |
| DryadSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Greek | Tree nymph | 3 |
| DuendeSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Spanish and Portuguese | Little people and forest spirits | 2 |
| DuergarSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | English | Malevolent little people | 2 |
| DullahanSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Irish | Headless death spirit | 1 |
| DuwendeSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Philippine | Little people, some are house spirits, others nature spirits | 1 |
| DvergrSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Norse | Subterranean little people smiths | — |
| DvorovoiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Slavic | Courtyard spirit | 27 |
| DwarfSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Germanic | Little people nature spirits | 15 |
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.