10 Legendary Creatures from Around the World

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Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. </div> <div class="label mt-20 mb-10">Select Citation Style</div> <select class="js-citation-format-select form-select"> <option selected value="mla">MLA</option> <option value="apa">APA</option> <option value="chicago">Chicago Manual of Style</option> </select> <div class="citation font-serif border rounded p-15 mt-20" data-authors="Alison Eldridge" data-title="10 Legendary Creatures from Around the World" data-published-date="18 Nov. 2024" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/list/10-legendary-creatures-from-around-the-world" > <div class="citation-text"></div> </div> <button class="js-copy-citation-button mt-20 btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="file_copy"></em> <span class="js-citation-status-text">Copy Citation</span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-share-modal-button js-modal gtm-topic-tool btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" data-modal=".md-share-modal"> <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="share"></em> Share </button> <div class="md-share-modal size-lg d-none qa-share-modal"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10" data-icon="share"></em> Share </div> <div class="label my-20">Share to social media</div> <div class="md-social-toolbar-circle d-flex align-items-start inverted" data-value="share" title="10 Legendary Creatures from Around the World" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/list/10-legendary-creatures-from-around-the-world" > <a class="social-icon facebook justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Facebook</span></a> <a class="social-icon x justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="x" href="https://x.com/britannica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>X</span></a> </div> <div class="label pt-20 mt-20 mb-5 border-top">URL</div> <a class="font-serif text-truncate d-inline-block" href="https://www.britannica.com/list/10-legendary-creatures-from-around-the-world">https://www.britannica.com/list/10-legendary-creatures-from-around-the-world</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="md-byline module-spacing font-14"> <div class="font-serif font-12"> <span class="written-by text-gray-700"> Written by </span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/contributor/Alison-Eldridge/7869468" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">Alison Eldridge</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 clamp-description text-black">Alison Eldridge was Managing Editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> Alison Eldridge</span></div> <div class="font-serif font-12 text-gray-700"> <span class="qa-fact-checked-by">Fact-checked by</span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 font-12" href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 text-black">Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link font-12 "> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2024-11-18T00:00:00CST" >Nov 18, 2024</time> </span> </div></div> </div> <article class="topic-content content"><div class="topic-paragraph font-serif md-list-intro pt-15 pb-20"><p class="topic-paragraph">People around the world have been dreaming up creatures as part of their legends, folklore, and religious traditions for millennia. There are hundreds—or maybe thousands!—of creatures that have been talked about either with fear or reverence and woven into memorable tales. Here are just a few of these fascinating legendary creatures.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><ul class="md-list-order-numeric md-mendel-list" style="counter-reset: item 0"><li><h2>Dragon</h2><div><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="1"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/20/249020-050-931D85D6/Chinese-dragon-sculpture-or-statue.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*307544"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/20/249020-050-931D85D6/Chinese-dragon-sculpture-or-statue.jpg?w=1000" alt="Chinese dragon sculpture or statue." data-width="1600" data-height="1067" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" target="_blank" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/20/249020-050-931D85D6/Chinese-dragon-sculpture-or-statue.jpg" data-href="*307544">Here there be dragons!</a><span>A sculpture of a Chinese dragon.</span></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">© tomodaji—iStock/Getty Images</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">Dragons have been dreamed up by cultures all over the world. It is thought the tales were inspired by discoveries of fossilized bones, which can of course be found worldwide. In European countries dragons are often said to be evil and hoard treasure. They usually are depicted with four legs and fly using giant wings. Dragons in Eastern countries, such as China, tend to be benevolent or bring good luck or good omens. They tend to be four-legged and wingless. Today, the dragon dance, in which dancers carry a large flexible puppet of a dragon, remains a popular part of Chinese New Year celebrations.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-1"></span></li><li><h2>Mermaid</h2><div><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="1"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/48/83448-050-ECD07569/The-Little-Mermaid-story-Edvard-Eriksen-harbour-1913.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*108810"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/48/83448-050-ECD07569/The-Little-Mermaid-story-Edvard-Eriksen-harbour-1913.jpg?w=1000" alt="The Little Mermaid by Edvard Eriksen, Copenhagen, Denmark; based on a story by Hans Christian Andersen. (statue)" data-width="1186" data-height="1600" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" target="_blank" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/48/83448-050-ECD07569/The-Little-Mermaid-story-Edvard-Eriksen-harbour-1913.jpg" data-href="*108810"><em>The Little Mermaid</em> sculpture</a><span><em>The Little Mermaid</em>, bronze sculpture by Edvard Eriksen, 1913, modeled after a story by Hans Christian Andersen; in Copenhagen harbor.</span></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">© Williammacgregor/Dreamstime.com</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">Tales of mermaids and other water spirits are also found all over the world. Mermaids are said to be part human and part fish, often with the upper body of a human and a fish tail. In some tales they have magical powers, and in some they enjoy luring sailors into the water. The Merrows of Ireland are said to be beautiful with long green hair. Mami Wata (Mother Water) is celebrated throughout West, South, and Central Africa.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-2"></span></li><li><h2>Unicorn</h2><div><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="1"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/84/36684-050-6F164893/Unicorn-in-Captivity-Hunt-of-the-Unicorn-tapestry-Chateau-de-Verteuil-Cloisters-Metropolitan-Museum-of-Art.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*29255"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/84/36684-050-6F164893/Unicorn-in-Captivity-Hunt-of-the-Unicorn-tapestry-Chateau-de-Verteuil-Cloisters-Metropolitan-Museum-of-Art.jpg?w=1000" alt=""The Unicorn in Captivity," from The Hunt of the Unicorn, French or Flemish millefleur tapestry, late 15th-early 16th century, from the Chateau de Verteuil; in the Cloisters, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City." data-width="1098" data-height="1600" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" target="_blank" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/84/36684-050-6F164893/Unicorn-in-Captivity-Hunt-of-the-Unicorn-tapestry-Chateau-de-Verteuil-Cloisters-Metropolitan-Museum-of-Art.jpg" data-href="*29255">tapestry: <em>The Unicorn in Captivity</em></a><span><em>The Unicorn in Captivity</em>, from <em>The Hunt of the Unicorn</em>, French or Flemish millefleur tapestry, late 15th–early 16th century, from the Chateau de Verteuil; in The Cloisters, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.</span></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, gift of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., 1937, (37.80.6), www.metmuseum.org</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">The unicorn is a mythical animal said to resemble a horse or a goat with a single horn coming out of its forehead. Unicorns are featured in myths of India and China, among other places. They are usually said to be peaceful and benevolent, and Christian art has often used the unicorn as a symbol for Christ. Unicorn horns were said to grant protection from many ills, including poisoning and stomach trouble. Narwhal tusks and rhinoceros horns have been passed off by merchants as belonging to unicorns.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-3"></span></li><li><h2>Phoenix</h2><div><p class="topic-paragraph">The phoenix is a mythical bird of ancient Egypt and Classical antiquity. A large, red and gold bird, it was said to have an extremely long lifespan, of 500 years or more. Only one phoenix would exist at a time. At the end of its life it would allow itself to be consumed by flames, and then a new phoenix would spring from the ashes. Like many of the creatures on this list, it was said to have healing powers.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-4"></span></li><li><h2>Kelpie</h2><div><p class="topic-paragraph"> A kelpie is a type of aquatic spirit from Scottish legend. They usually take the form of a horse, although they are said to be shape-changers. Kelpies haunt rivers and streams, waiting to lure people to their death. They might appear as a pony to lure a child, or as a beautiful young woman to lure a young man. Kelpies have a sticky magical hide that makes it difficult to escape them, but if a person grabs hold of a kelpie’s bridle they can command it.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-5"></span></li><li><h2>Chupacabra</h2><div><p class="topic-paragraph">In Latin America, the chupacabra is a blood-drinking creature that attacks domestic animals like goats and sheep. The first chupacabra tales described them as resembling kangaroos with reptilian skin, fangs, and red eyes. Later reports said they were smaller and four-legged, resembling hairless dogs. Purported chupacabras ended up being canines suffering from mange. Unusually, the chupacabra is a “new” legendary creature, with the first sightings reported in 1995.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-6"></span></li><li><h2>Kraken</h2><div><p class="topic-paragraph">The kraken is a sea monster of legend, originating in the seas of Scandinavia. The kraken is often described as an enormous squid, capable of dragging ships down into the watery depths, and it is thought that tales of the kraken were inspired by the real-life giant squid. Specimens of giant squid and octopuses that washed up on beaches in Norway were said to be messages from God or the Devil.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-7"></span></li><li><h2>Yeti</h2><div><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="2"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/23/198723-050-54C30E8F/Abominable-Snowman.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*234487"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/23/198723-050-54C30E8F/Abominable-Snowman.jpg?w=1000" alt="Yeti, Abominable Snowman, Nee-gued, bear-man, mythical monster, Tibetan, Himalayas, cryptozoology, mythology" data-width="1140" data-height="1600" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" target="_blank" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/23/198723-050-54C30E8F/Abominable-Snowman.jpg" data-href="*234487">Abominable Snowman</a></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc./Patrick O'Neill Riley</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">The yeti is a large apelike creature that is said to live in the Himalayan mountains. It is purported to be 6–9 feet (2–3 meters) tall and to be covered in shaggy fur. In the West the yeti is often referred to as the Abominable Snowman. Often, mysterious markings left in mountain snow are attributed to the beast. The Sherpa people of Nepal tell stories of yeti who are unfriendly to humans, perhaps as a cautionary tale to prevent children from wandering alone into the mountain wilderness.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-8"></span></li><li><h2>Grootslang</h2><div><p class="topic-paragraph">The Grootslang is a legendary serpent that is said to dwell in a deep cave in South Africa. Tales of the Grootslang say it is as old as Earth itself and is large enough that it can eat elephants. In some tales it guards a cavern filled with treasure, and its eye sockets contain enormous gems. The Grootslang was probably inspired by the large African pythons that live in the area—some up to 30 feet (9 meters) long or more.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-9"></span></li><li><h2>Kappa</h2><div><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="1"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/93/36893-004-1117C1B1.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*29464"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/93/36893-004-1117C1B1.jpg?w=1000" alt="Kappa riding on a cucumber, painting by Hokuga; in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London" data-width="418" data-height="450" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" target="_blank" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/93/36893-004-1117C1B1.jpg" data-href="*29464">Kappa riding on a cucumber, painting by Hokuga; in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London</a></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London; photograph, A.C. Cooper Ltd.</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">The kappa comes from Japanese folklore, a malevolent creature that looks like a monkey with fish scales or a tortoise shell. Like kelpies, kappa are said to attract humans to bodies of water in order to drown and eat them. Kappa are said to have hollow indentations on the tops of their heads that are filled with water. If the water is spilled, the kappa will lose its supernatural power. Thus, one of the best ways to defeat a kappa is to trick it into bowing, thereby spilling the water from its head.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-10"></span></li></ul><span class="AM-END-OF-ARTICLE am-inline"></span></article> </div> </div> </div> <aside class="cm-rightrail d-none d-md-block ad-rail"></aside> </div> </div> </div> <div class="grid gx-0"> <div class="col"> <div class="md-loading hidden display-4 font-weight-normal"></div> <div class="text-center my-20 mb-100"> <button class="md-infinite-load-next btn btn-blue" data-value="next-page">Load More</button> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-da-320 hidden-xs"> </div> </div></div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"List","templateName":null,"pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":10,"pageId":16380,"pageLength":null,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.130.14"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/list-page.js?v=3.130.14' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"D","adLeg":"D","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"List","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":null,"gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

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10 Legendary Creatures from Around the World | Britannica