Resources · Creatures, deities & other beings
Folklore Dictionary
Meet the beings of folklore and mythology: explore creatures, deities and spirits by name, description and associated tradition.
1,702 reference entries · 1,598 in the creature catalogue · 104 in the deity catalogue
Explore by place
Dictionary coverage
Zoom or move the map, then choose “Filter to this area” to list beings with a tradition location in that view. You can combine this with a collection, character family or search term.
Beings associated with a tradition
1,023 entries at 267 tradition locations · 679 without tradition coordinates
Markers use tradition coordinates linked through source names, recorded aliases, language groups or reviewed associations. Deity links awaiting review are labelled as suggestions. Language-group links show cultural context, rather than verified occurrences in every tradition. Beings 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)
- Aleuts (1)
- Anambe (2)
- Anatolia Turks (11)
- Ancient Egypt, Egyptian (11)
- Ancient Greece (113)
- 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 (13)
- Bashkirs (9)
- Basques (12)
- Batak (Toba, Dairi) (1)
- Beaver (1)
- Belarus (1)
- Bengali (2)
- Bhutan (1)
- Bosnia Muslims (54)
- Bosnians (54)
- Brazil (8)
- Bretagne (15)
- 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) (12)
- Central Yakuts (Sakha) (13)
- Cherokee (5)
- Chile (1)
- Chilkotin (1)
- China (59)
- Chipewyan (1)
- Chiricahua (1)
- Choctaw, Chicasaw (1)
- Chol; pre-Columbian Mayan iconography outside of Yucatan (24)
- Chontal (24)
- Chorti (24)
- 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 (28)
- Darkhad (1)
- Daur (Daghur) (1)
- Denaina (1)
- Denmark (1)
- Dogon (1)
- Dogrib, Slavey (1)
- Dolgans (12)
- Dongxiang, Baoan (1)
- Dutch, Flemish (16)
- Early Russian written sources (54)
- Easter Island (2)
- Eastern Ukrainians (54)
- Egypt (17)
- England (36)
- England, British, Bretons (52)
- Estonia (1)
- Estonians (1)
- Europe (5)
- Faroe Islands (29)
- 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)
- Fon (1)
- France (14)
- France (15)
- Frisians (14)
- 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 (30)
- Germans: Northeast (Brandenburg, Meklenburg, Rügen, Pommern, Silesia, Posen) (13)
- Germans: South (Upper German dialects): Alsace (Elsass), Baden-Württemberg, Bawaria, Swabia, Switzerland, Bohemia, Sudeten, Austria (14)
- Germans – Southwest: Alsace (Elsass), Baden-Württemberg, Swabia, Switzerland (13)
- Germany (16)
- Germany (1)
- Greece (112)
- Greeks (modern), Balkarians (113)
- Greeks of Cyprus (113)
- Guyana (5)
- Gwich'in (Kuchin, Loucheux) (1)
- Han (1)
- Hare (K'ahsho Got'ine) (1)
- Hawaii (2)
- Hittite, Hurrit (15)
- Hopi (1)
- Huastec (Teenek) (24)
- Hungarians (2)
- Hungary (3)
- Hupa, Chilula (1)
- Iceland (1)
- Icelanders (30)
- Igbo (Ibo); Isoko, Urhobo (1)
- India (4)
- Indian literary tradition (Vedic, Brahman, Purana, Indian Buddhism, Hinduism, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Panchtantra, Jatakas); iconography of Hindu temples (7)
- 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 (34)
- Ireland (14)
- Italians: Central (Toscana, Umbria, Marche, Lazio) (3)
- Italy (3)
- Japan (229)
- Japan (232)
- 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 (24)
- 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)
- Kono (=Kone), Wai (1)
- Korea (9)
- Koreans (9)
- Koyukon (1)
- Kumyk, Terekemen (9)
- Kwakiutl (Kwakwaka'wakw) (2)
- Lacandon (24)
- 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 (24)
- Mangareva (2)
- Mangbetu (Ngbetu), Mangbutu, Moru, Madi, Lugbara, Lendu (=Bale) (2)
- Maori, Moriori (Chatam Islands) (13)
- Mapuche (9)
- Marquesas (2)
- Mescalero (1)
- Mestizos of Soconuzco; Cotzumapguapa iconography (2)
- Mexico (1)
- Micmac (4)
- Mongo (Mongo-Nkundu), Nkundu, Ngelima, Ngombe, (Ba)Tetela), Pende, Wu(Kusu), (Ba)Mbala (incl Saie, Kwilu) (1)
- 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 (24)
- Nigeria (3)
- Nigeria (2)
- Niue (2)
- Nogai (9)
- Nordic countries (5)
- Northeastern Yakuts (Sakha): Yana, Indigirka and Kolyma Basins (12)
- 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 (12)
- Norwegians (27)
- 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 (17)
- 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 (24)
- 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)
- Saudi Arabia (1)
- Scandinavia (11)
- Scandinavians: early written sources ("Edda"; Saxo Grammaticus etc.); Gothland picture stones; Ancient Germans (Late Bronze Age in Scandinavia) (27)
- Scotland, Scots, Picts, Scotti, Scottish (43)
- 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)
- Sumer (4)
- Sweden (2)
- Swedes (29)
- 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 (24)
- Tonga (2)
- Transylvanian Saksons (13)
- 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 (24)
- Tzotzil (24)
- Tzutujil (24)
- 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 (31)
- 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 (12)
- Yellowknife (1)
- Yoruba; incl Ife), Nupe, Bini (Edo), Engenni, Chamba, Dakka, Kukuruku (4)
- Yucatec, Itza (24)
- Yugur (Sarïg Yogïr, Yellow Uyghur) (9)
- Zimbabwe (1)
- Zulu, Swazi (3)
Browse the dictionary
1,702 matching entries
Mapped traditions counts linked traditions with map coordinates. Suggested associations awaiting review are included.
| Name | Tradition | Description | Mapped traditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gui ShuCreature cataloguePersonified nature and animated objects (suggested) | Chinese | Ghostly tree that confuses travelers by moving | 1 |
| GulonCreature catalogueGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Germanic | Gluttonous dog-cat-fox hybrid | 15 |
| GumihoCreature catalogueSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Korean | Demonic fox with thousands of tails believed to possess an army of spirits and magic in its tails | 1 |
| GurangatchCreature catalogueGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Australian Aboriginal | An enormous reptile-fish whose movements carved out the landscape south of the Blue Mountains | — |
| GurumapaCreature catalogueSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Nepalese | Child-eating demon | 1 |
| GwyllgiCreature catalogueGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Welsh | Black dog | 1 |
| GwyllionCreature catalogueSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Welsh | Malevolent spirit | 1 |
| GyascutusCreature catalogueGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | American folklore | Four-legged herbivore | — |
| GytrashCreature catalogueSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Lincolnshire and Yorkshire | Black dog | — |
| GyūkiCreature catalogueGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | Bull-headed monster | 5 |
| HábrókCreature catalogueAnimals (suggested) | Nordic | listed as the "best" hawk | — |
| HadesCreature catalogueDivine and sacred beings (suggested) | Greek | Ruler of the Underworld | 3 |
| HadhayoshCreature catalogueGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Persian | gigantic land animal | 1 |
| HaetaeCreature catalogueGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Korean | dog-lion hybrid | 1 |
| HagCreature catalogue | Many cultures worldwide | wise old woman who is usually a malevolent spirit or a disguised goddess | — |
| Hai-uriCreature catalogueGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Khoikhoi | male cannibalistic partially invisible monster | 1 |
| HaietlikCreature catalogueGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Nuu-chah-nulth | water serpent | — |
| HakutakuCreature catalogueGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | talking beast which handed down knowledge on harmful spirits | 5 |
| HākuturiCreature catalogueSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Māori | nature guardian | 1 |
| Half-elfCreature catalogueHumans (suggested)Spirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Nordic | human-elf hybrid | — |
| HalloiCreature catalogueSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Sanamahism | natural maiden spirits of celestial origin | — |
| HaltijaCreature catalogueSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Finnish | spirit that protects a specific place | 1 |
| HamadryadCreature catalogueSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Greek | oak tree nymph | 3 |
| HamingjaCreature catalogueSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Scandinavian | personal protection spirit | 6 |
| HamsaCreature catalogueAnimals (suggested) | Buddhist, Hindu and Jainism | mystic bird | — |
| Hanau epeCreature catalogueHumans (suggested) | Rapa Nui | long-eared humanoid | — |
| Hantu AirCreature catalogueSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Malay | shapeshifting water spirit | 1 |
| Hantu DemonCreature catalogueSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Philippine | demon | 1 |
| Hantu RayaCreature catalogueSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Malay | demonic servant | 1 |
| HarionagoCreature catalogueSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | humanoid female with barbed, prehensile hair | 5 |
| HarpyCreature catalogueSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested)Giants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Greek | birdlike human-headed death spirit | 3 |
| HaugbúiCreature catalogueThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Nordic | undead being who lives in its burial mound | — |
| HavsråCreature catalogueSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Nordic | saltwater spirit | — |
| Headless HorsemanCreature catalogueThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | European | humanoid spirit who haunts or kills | — |
| Headless MuleCreature catalogueGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Brazilian | fire-spewing, headless, spectral mule | — |
| HecatonchiresCreature catalogueGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Greek | primordial giants with 100 hands and fifty heads | 3 |
| HeikeganiCreature catalogueAnimals (suggested)The dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Japanese | crabs with human-faced shells, the spirits of warriors killed in the Battle of Dan-no-ura | 5 |
| HeinzelmännchenCreature catalogueSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | German | household spirit | 1 |
| HejkalCreature catalogueSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Not specified | A description has not yet been recorded. | — |
| HeleadCreature catalogueSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Greek | fen nymph | 3 |
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.