Mythical creatures have been part of human culture throughout the ages and across all parts of the world. They are not just the "talking" creatures, animals able to communicate using language and also rather clever, as in Aesop's fables. Mythical creatures are in themselves beyond normal reality, often composites of existing animals or animals and humans.
Some of these creatures may have existed in the past, and many believers have produced fossils and other evidence for their previous existence. Some, such as the Loch Ness Monster or Sasquatch, continue to be "sighted" and sought to this day. While the origins of these fabulous creatures are varied, and often disputed, they have played significant roles in human society. They have been educational, helped parents to discipline their children and to inculcate cultural values and norms, and have served to stimulate the imagination and desire that is ingrained in human nature to experience more than this physical world. Whether they truly exist in physical form is indeed secondary to their existence in the minds of so many people throughout the world and through history.
Others were based on real creatures, originating in garbled accounts of travelers' tales; such as the Vegetable Lamb of Tartary, which supposedly grew tethered to the earth (and was actually a type of fern).
Mythical creatures are often chimeras, composed of parts of two or more animals. Some of these are the combination of a human being and one or more other creatures. For example, a centaur is a combination of a man and horse, a minotaur of a man and bull. It should be noted that these were not always intended to be understood as literal juxtapositions of parts from disparate species. Lacking a common morphological vocabulary, classical and medieval scholars and travelers would attempt to describe unusual animals by comparing them point-for-point with familiar: the giraffe, for example, was called cameleopard, and thought of as a creature half-camel, and half-leopard. In other cases, the beast was merely an exaggeration that made for exciting story-telling of adventures from far-off lands.
Many mythical creatures have supernatural powers (some good, some evil), powers that even in contemporary times have no physical explanation. In these cases the creatures bear more similarity to spiritual beings, such as angels, in religious thought.
Most criticism from the scientific mainstream is directed at proponents for the existence of the more famous "cryptids" (like Bigfoot, the Yeti, and the Loch Ness Monster), whose existence remain unproven, despite numerous purported sightings, and is considered highly unlikely by scientists, biologists, and zoologists alike. In fact, many of the sightings of such creatures were found to be hoaxes, which further discredits cryptozoology.
In Greek mythology, the Chimera is a monstrous creature that was composed of several different animals. Other hybrids exist as combinations of human beings with animals and/or birds, as well as a variety of humanoid creatures.
This is a list of legendary creatures from mythology, folklore and fairy tales, sorted by their classification or affiliation. Creatures from modern fantasy fiction and role-playing games are not included.
A legendary creature (also mythical or mythological creature) is a type of fictional entity, typically a hybrid, that has not been proven and that is described in folklore (including myths and legends), but may be featured in historical accounts before modernity.
In the classical era, monstrous creatures such as the Cyclops and the Minotaur appear in heroic tales for the protagonist to destroy. Other creatures, such as the unicorn, were claimed in accounts of natural history by various scholars of antiquity.[1][2][3] Some legendary creatures have their origin in traditional mythology and were believed to be real creatures, for example dragons, griffins, and unicorns. Others were based on real encounters, originating in garbled accounts of travellers' tales, such as the Vegetable Lamb of Tartary, which supposedly grew tethered to the earth.[4]
A variety of mythical animals appear in the art and stories of the classical era. For example, in the Odyssey, monstrous creatures include the Cyclops, Scylla and Charybdis for the hero Odysseus to confront. Other tales include Medusa to be defeated by Perseus, the (human/bull) Minotaur to be destroyed by Theseus, and the Hydra to be killed by Heracles, while Aeneas battles with the harpies. These monsters thus have the basic function of emphasizing the greatness of the heroes involved.[5][6][7]
Some classical era creatures, such as the (horse/human) centaur, chimaera, Triton and the flying horse Pegasus, are found also in Indian art. Similarly, sphinxes appear as winged lions in Indian art and the Piasa Bird of North America.[8][9]
In medieval art, animals, both real and mythical, played important roles. These included decorative forms as in medieval jewellery, sometimes with their limbs intricately interlaced. Animal forms were used to add humor or majesty to objects. In Christian art, animals carried symbolic meanings, where for example the lamb symbolized Christ, a dove indicated the Holy Spirit, and the classical griffin represented a guardian of the dead. Medieval bestiaries included animals regardless of biological reality; the basilisk represented the devil, while the manticore symbolised temptation.[10]
Jewish folklore has more than its fair share of creatures that will send chills down your spine. Perhaps none more than the dybbuk, the dislocated soul of someone deceased who has taken over a host body to complete unfinished business. Though one was featured in the opening scene of The Coen Brothers' A Serious Man, Dybbuks have recently re-entered popular imagination as the unlikely antagonist of rapper Post Malone.
An enduring motif in mythology across Europe, werewolves (or lycanthropes, to give them their SAT name) served a similar function to witches, as men were commonly hunted and executed in the belief that they transformed into ravenous creatures called werewolves. In more recent times, they have become the subject of classic horror films, and even the object of affection in certain corners of paranormal romance.
Mythical creatures have been used for hundreds of years to foretell fortunes and give us guidance on our physical, emotional, and spiritual paths. In this article, you will find 33 of the most legendary and mythical creatures with their spiritual meanings and a beautifully hand-drawn image of each mythical creature.
This could be the universe trying to send you a message and the only way to understand it is to know the spiritual meaning behind the mythical creatures that have taken root in your thoughts and dreams.
Seeing these mythical creatures in your thoughts and dreams regularly can be a sign for you to delve deep into spirituality and self-exploration. Perhaps you may have had a desire to open up your psychic gifts through the medium of mediation. This is your sign to start.
Mermaids are mythical creatures that have harnessed the power and emotion of the seas and also represent divine femininity. If you are regularly drawn to mermaids or see them often, spiritually you may be receiving a few messages. Messages that may cause fear if you are afraid of the emotions you may reveal.
These mythical creatures could insinuate the need to dig deep into your emotional self. Revisiting past traumas and hardships. Being able to go back will aid you in working through them so you can truly heal.
The griffin is a creature that embodies both the king of the beasts, the lion, and the king of the birds, the eagle. The combination of these two powerful animals gives the griffin a strong spiritual meaning of power, protection, enlightenment, and emotional balance.
The yeti goes by many names, such as Bigfoot or Sasquatch, however, this creature spiritually represents either the need for strength and confidence or the desire for time alone to reflect, regardless of which name you give it. The lack of evidence for the existence of this creature also gives it meanings of secrecy and mystery.
The kelpie is a symbol of transformation, inner balance, imagination, and, emotion. These mythical creatures occupy both land and water and so their message for you can change depending on what form you are drawn to most.
Symbolizing power, courage, and healing, the Kraken is an almighty mythical creature to begin seeing in your thoughts and dreams. Many times the visualization of the Kraken in your sleeping and waking life can be a warning.
One consistent theme that crosses cultural borders when it comes to the werewolf, is how this creature experiences a complete change in consciousness. This creature embodies ultimate transformation, strong emotions, and finding the balance between your instinctive, intuitive and logical self.
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