The British Isles are a handful of islands that include Great Britain, Ireland and many smaller islands (Isle of Man, Bardsey, Wolsey, and the like). The culture of the islands dates back to the days of the ancient Celts and is surprisingly rich in mythological creatures.
1. Gillgi (Welsh mythology)
Gillgi from Wales (aka "the dog of darkness") is a common myth. Throughout Britain, folklore is replete with stories of these huge dogs, bull-sized beasts with fiery red eyes that instilled fear in anyone who saw them.
In England, the name of these animals changes depending on the area where they are found. The Tramp, Sirius Black's famous nickname in the Harry Potter books, was supposed to guard the graves, and Black Husk was said to be a ghostly black dog roaming East Anglia. In Wales, the gillgs were often found in dark alleys on the outskirts of villages, and often in people who might be considered respected.
They were believed to have the power to paralyze those who look them in the eye, although fear could well explain this reaction, and stories from across Northeast Wales do not suggest that these enormous mastiffs originated from any deliberate misconduct. side of the unfortunate witness. The meeting with the gillgi was most likely just an unfortunate coincidence for the traveler.
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2. Herne the Hunter (English mythology)
Herne the Hunter is a horned ghost. The ghost that roams the Windsor Forest in Berkshire. He haunts a special tree called the Hern oak and terrorizes the forest's wildlife.
He is recognized by the ringing of chains and the ghostly moans that accompany him, as well as by the giant antlers on his head. Some depictions show him wearing a buckskin hood with antlers sitting on it, but in the original he is depicted with antlers emanating from his head.
He can destroy a tree with a single touch, causing it to wither and die. He can bewitch cattle by making them produce blood instead of milk. Its appearance can be an omen of national disaster and death.
His cruelty was caused by the fact that he committed suicide, and not the shame of his crimes. His terrorizing animals may have something to do with this great shame, as in later legends he was a poacher in the royal forest during the time of Henry VIII.
3. Benny (Scottish mythology)
Benny (aka "the little laundress by the brook") is associated with the Irish Banshee. She can be seen near streams and lakes, where she washes the bloody clothes of those who are about to die. As such, she is seen as an omen of death, just like the Banshee.
Legend has it that Benny is the spirit of a woman who died in childbirth and was cursed to fulfill her role until the day her life would normally end.
As you might expect, Benny is a small and very ugly woman with a hooked nose and one large nostril. She has large protruding, serrated webbed feet and long, drooping breasts. You can risk talking to her, but in order to stay safe and sound, you need to fulfill certain conditions.
First, you have to approach quietly so that she doesn't notice you. While she is busy doing her laundry, you need to quickly fall to her breast, like a baby sucking on the breast of a mother. If you succeed in doing this, then you can safely claim the role of her adopted child. And she will fulfill one of your wishes.
And if you manage to be between her and the water, then she will fulfill your three desires. However, if you suddenly dare to tear her away from the gloomy work, she will hit the person in the legs with her wet underwear, which will make him completely lose the ability to use them.
4. Nukelawi (Scottish mythology)
Nukelawi is the most vicious of demons in the Scottish Isles. He was said to be the cause of decline, disaster, floods and more because of his sinister nature. The breath of the Nukelawi was poisonous, it could ruin crops, cause drought, cause disease and plague among livestock and people.
The Nukelawi is sturdy and horse-like, with half-fins like fish legs and one giant eye that burns with a red flame. A man with a large head merges along his back with a horse's body, like a strange Centaur.
The worst part of his appearance is that he has no skin. Black blood flows through the yellow veins, and pale tendons and powerful muscles are visible as a pulsating mass.
Nukelawi has an aversion to fresh water, and those he pursues need only cross the stream to get rid of it. He also won't come ashore when it's raining.