Fantasy literature, mythology and folklore from various cultures around the world contain many well-known creatures, including humans, combined with animals.
In this article, in order, the fantasy animals will be introduced in the following order: human type, snake type, horse type, lion type and bird type. There is a lot of overlap in this classification, as many of them belong to more than one category, so please take this with a grain of salt.
Selkie family Human type
Naga.
The Naga is a serpent-like god or being in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, rooted in South Asian mythology. Like dragons, they are often associated with water (rivers, lakes and oceans) and are considered guardians of treasure and esoteric knowledge. Nagas can also be good or evil, depending on the context. They are generally revered for their power and mystique.
Representations generally depict them as having the lower body of a snake and the upper body of a human being, but they can also be entirely serpent-like or have multiple heads. They have the ability to shapeshift and dominate their environment, especially bodies of water. It can be seen as embodying themes of protection, fertility and the duality of beneficial and dangerous aspects.
Selkie.
Selkies are mythical beings from Scottish, Irish and Faroe Islands folklore. They are seal-based creatures that are not often dealt with. They can shed their skins and become human. Selkie myths are most common in the Orkney and Shetland Islands, the northernmost part of Scotland.
They form an important part of local folklore and are often intertwined with stories of love and longing between selkies and humans. In seal form, selkies are indistinguishable from ordinary seals. However, he can shed his seal skin to reveal his beautiful human form. The story then usually unfolds as the selkie’s seal skin is hidden or stolen by humans.
Although these stories combining sea and female monsters tend to be quite scary, selkies are relatively gentle and affectionate. This is only comparative, as you can see in the video here.
Sirens.
Alarms, ambulance and fire engine sirens, the Starbucks logo. They all have one thing in common.
They are Sirens. Sirens are creatures from Greek mythology, known for their seductive music and voices that lure sailors to their doom.
Originally, sirens were thought of as bird-like creatures with female heads, but over time they were often portrayed as mermaid-like figures in Western culture. In common tales, they seduce sailors with their seductive singing voice, leading them to head their ships towards dangerous rocks and shipwreck.
Minotaur.
Not a centaur. Centaurs are also see under Equidae below.
The Minotaur is a creature from Greek mythology. It has the body of a man and the head of a bull. It was born to Pasiphae, Queen of Crete, and a bull sent by the god Poseidon. When King Minos discovered the creature, he hid it in a labyrinth designed by Daedalus in Knossos, but it was eventually killed by the hero Theseus.
The Minotaur is a fusion of human intelligence and animal ferocity. Traditionally depicted as fearsome beings, they are trapped in labyrinths and feed on human sacrifices sent from Athens as tribute to King Minos.
Basilisk family, snake type
Basilisk.
Basilisks are known as the “king of snakes”. It is a legendary reptile that is said to be the king of snakes, who can bring death with a single stare. The name basilisk, derived from ancient Greek and Roman legends, derives from the Greek word ‘basiliskos’, meaning ‘little king’. This reflects the reputed crown-shaped crest.
It is believed to have the power to kill with a glare, poison or even breath. Depictions vary, but it is generally depicted as a serpent with a crown-like crest.
In later European legends, it is sometimes characterised as a monster with the body of a dragon and the head of a rooster, similar to the cockatrice.
It is also a common depiction of a hand like the basilisk in this Witcher film. It is also commonly larger than an anaconda in size.
Hydra.
The hydra is a monstrous multi-headed serpent from Greek mythology, most famously encountered by Hercules in his Twelve Labours. Dwelling in the Argolid swamp of Lake Lerna, the hydra was said to possess an almost invincible nature. The creatures were eventually vanquished by Hercules, who cut off each head and then cauterised the neck stumps with fire.
The hydra’s most distinctive feature is that it has multiple heads, the number of which differs in various accounts. They are often described as having poisonous breath and blood so ferocious that even the smell can be fatal. Hydras symbolise an overwhelming challenge or an enemy that grows stronger with each attempt to defeat it, reflecting the idea that certain problems become more complex the more one tries to solve them in a straightforward manner.
Dragons.
The dragon is one of the most iconic and widespread mythological creatures found in cultures around the world, from European and Norse mythology to Asian cultures. They are also creatures that differ considerably between the west and east of Eurasia.
Western dragons are often portrayed as malevolent beings that hoard treasure and breathe fire. In the East, dragons symbolise power, strength, luck and water. As well as awe and disaster, aspects of the creature that bring bounty are also seen. In China, it was a symbol of emperors and outstanding people are sometimes honoured with dragons. In Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball manga, dragons grant wishes.
It is also about appearance. In traditional Western depictions, dragons are usually depicted as large, scale-covered reptiles with wings and the ability to breathe fire. In contrast, Eastern dragons have a serpent-like appearance and long, flowing bodies. And they have the ability to control water and weather. Both fly, but in the West they use their wings to get up into the sky, while in the East lift is naturally occurring and they float normally.
So, if we were to characterise the East and West collectively in the greatest common denominator, we could say that dragons are flying reptiles.
Unicorn family Horse type
Unicorn.
The unicorn is a horse with a single spiral horn protruding from its forehead. Although rooted mainly in Western mythology, unicorns have been depicted in the myths and legends of many cultures around the world. In medieval Europe, unicorns symbolised purity and beauty and were often associated with virginity and deities. It was also believed that only virgins could catch a unicorn. Its distinguishing features are of course its white horse-like appearance and single horn, but a lion’s tail is also a feature often seen.
The horn was also said to have the power to neutralise poison. If unicorns were real creatures, this would be a feature that would have led to their overhunting and extinction.
Centaurs.
And the centaur, which has a similar name. This is a mythical creature with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a horse. Centaurs are said to inhabit the mountains and forests of Thessaly and Arcadia. They are portrayed as the embodiment of uncivilised nature, but in some stories they are portrayed as wise and noble. It depends.
Centaurs are often depicted wielding bows and arrows, reflecting their skill as hunters and warriors, while centaurs such as Chiron (or Chiron) are associated with wisdom and healing and are independent entities.
Minotaurs and centaurs are confusing, with the bull being the minotaur and the horse being the centaur. It is confusing and should be stated again. Also as a mistake hat for myself.
Griffonidae, lion type
Griffon (griffin).
The griffon is a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. They originate from ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean mythology. Griffons were believed to protect treasures and valuable possessions. In medieval Europe, they became a symbol of Christian courage and protection.
As a combination of the king of beasts (lion) and the king of birds (eagle), the griffon is depicted as a majestic and powerful creature. It combines the strength and courage of the lion with the keen vision and flying ability of the eagle.
Chimera.
The chimera is another creature from Greek mythology. It is still depicted as a monstrous fire-breathing hybrid composed of parts of several animals. It is typically depicted with a lion’s head and torso, a goat’s head growing out of its back, and a snake or dragon with a tail. The chimera is the offspring of a tupon. What some might call a tupon is the strongest and most monstrous of all the monsters in Greek mythology, which has a variety of monsters. (Some may have called him out in Final Fantasy on PlayStation).
The siblings are too numerous to mention, but the most famous are Cerberus, also a lion monster, and Hydra of Lernae, a serpent monster. The same brothers or their children are the Sphinx, one of the top elite families in this area. They are depicted as animals that are eventually killed, but which the hero Bellerophon managed to vanquish with the help of Pegasus.
The chimera is relatively often treated as a symbol of a grotesque monster. Perhaps this is due to the fact that they have the heads of various animals. It can be said that the chimera is not a simple part-by-part combination.
Manticore.
The manticore is a legendary creature with roots in Persia, the region that is now Iran. However, it is believed to appear in the jungles of India. It was feared as a so-called cannibal. The creature was later adopted by Greece and then spread to Europe.
Manticores are often depicted as having the body of a lion, a human head with three rows of sharp teeth and sometimes bat-like wings. It also has a scorpion or dragon-like tail and can release venomous spines at its prey. It is characterised by its powerful leaping ability and its famous voice, which is said to resemble the sound of a trumpet. Scary in all directions. In the Percy Jackson film Manticore here, the face is no longer lion-like and the whole bodybuilder lion.
As an aside, there is a record of 113 people being killed in France in the mid-18th century by the Beast of Gévaudan, a mysterious wolf-like giant monster animal that haunted the forests. In fact, it was an actual cannibalistic incident that caused such a fuss that the king at the time, Louis XV, took note of it.
The manticore is an Indian story that the Persians heard about through hearsay, but despite the monster’s appearance, there may have been something real about the origin of the story. Such as the muddy Indian lion or Bengal tiger in the forest.
Phoenixidae, bird type
Loch.
The lok is a huge bird of prey, often described as large enough to carry away an elephant, and is found in Middle Eastern and South Asian folklore. Its origins can be traced back to the story of Sinbad the Sailor in the “One Thousand and One Nights”. It can be said to represent both danger and assistance to the adventurers in the story.
It is usually depicted as a giant eagle or a bird that spreads its wings so wide that it casts a shadow large enough to darken the sun. It also has unusually high predatory capabilities. It is capable of carrying away entire ships and their crews.
Phoenix.
The phoenix is a mythical bird known for its cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Rising from its own ashes, the phoenix symbolises rebirth, immortality and the permanence of life. It has its roots in ancient Egyptian mythology and has been incorporated into various cultural mythologies, including Greek, Roman and Middle Eastern traditions.
It is generally depicted as a large bird with fiery plumage that shines brightly while emitting light. The phoenix’s most distinctive feature is its ability to regenerate or be reborn from the ashes of its predecessor. It is also often associated with the sun. It represents the triumph of life over death and the tears of the phoenix are said to have healing properties.
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