The world is full of tales of mythical monsters, fabulous creatures and legendary beasts. Some were inspired by real animals, others are just symbols, personifying our deepest fears. Monsters live and thrive in our imaginations, and since the Middle Ages, they have brought cultures closer together and helped overcome our true fears. Here are 10 mythical monsters that are not as famous as their popular counterparts.
10. Soukoyant
Soukoyant is a type of werewolf, belongs to the class of Caribbean spirits. During the day, the cocoyan appears in the form of a feeble old woman, and at night he sheds his skin, hides it in a mortar, turns into ball lightning and flies in this form across the sky in search of victims. According to myths, the cocoiant sucks blood from his victims and then gives it to the demons in exchange for evil forces. As in European vampire myths, if a cocoant drinks too much blood, the victim will either die or become a monster too. To kill a soukoyant, the skin of the monster in the mortar must be sprinkled with salt, and it will disappear at dawn.
9. Kelpie
The Kelpie is a water werewolf-spirit that inhabits the rivers and lakes of Scotland. Although the kelpie is usually described as looking like a horse, it can also take on a human form - at least as evidenced by the work of the classic English artist Herbert James Draper. According to folklorist Walter Gregor, the kelpies lure people onto their backs and then dive with the rider and tear them to pieces. Be that as it may, this myth is a great way to keep children out of the water and to warn women about how dangerous beautiful strangers can be.
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8. Basilisk
The basilisk is most often described as a snake with a crest, although sometimes there are descriptions of a rooster with a snake tail. He kills birds with his fiery breath, people with his gaze and other creatures with a simple hiss. According to legends, the creature is born from a snake egg hatched by a rooster. From Greek, his name is translated as "little king", and therefore the basilisk is called the king of snakes. The monster was accused of plague epidemics and murders during the Middle Ages.
7. Asmodeus
Asmodeus is a demon tempter best known for his book Tobit, where he is the main antagonist. In the book, he is possessed by Sarah, and kills seven of her husbands even before the marriage consummates. Asmodeus is also mentioned in other Talmudic legends, including the story of the construction of Solomon's temple. Some folklorists suggest that Asmodeus is the son of Lilith and Adam. It is he who is responsible for the perversion of sexual desires. According to Jewish myths, those who succumb to these desires are doomed to eternal torment in hell.
6. Yorogumo
There are more bizarre cryptozoological creatures in Japan than the X-Files showed in all seasons. But perhaps the most unusual monster is Yorogumo, or "spider harlot." The legend of Yorogumo dates back to the Edo period. It is believed that when a spider reaches 400 years of age, it acquires magical powers. In most stories, the spider takes the form of a beautiful woman, lures the men to its home by playing the lute, and then wraps around in cobwebs and devours them.
5. Black Annis
The witch from English folklore Black Annis is an old hag with a blue face and iron claws who terrorized the peasants of Leicestershire. If the legends are to be believed, she still lives in a cave in Dane Hills, and wanders through the ravine at night in search of children. When she manages to catch the baby, she tanned his skin by hanging it on a tree and then wears it wrapped around the waist. Needless to say, parents are happy to remember the image of Black Annis when children misbehave.
4. Nabau
In 2009, a research team in Borneo captured on film what looked like a 50-meter snake floating on the Balekh River. Debates about whether the photographs are reliable are still ongoing - many believe that the "giant snake" looks too much like a log or a speedboat. Be that as it may, the locals insist that it is nothing more than Nabau, an ancient dragon-like monster from Indonesian folklore. According to myths, Nabau is more than 50 meters in length, has a dragon's head with seven nostrils and can take the form of ordinary animals.
3. Dullahan
Many are familiar with Washington Irving's story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and the story of the headless horseman. The Irish Dullahan, or "dark man," is the predecessor of the headless Hessian cavalryman who pursued Ichabod Crane in the story. Celtic myths say that Dullahan is the harbinger of death. He appears on a huge black horse with glowing eyes, holding his own head under his armpit. In some versions of the story, Dullahan names the person who must die, while others claim that he marks a person by pouring a bucket of blood on him. Like many other monsters and mythical creatures, Dullahan has one weakness: gold.
2. Red caps
The Red Caps are evil goblins who live on the border of Scotland and England. According to folklore, they live in ruined castles and kill lost travelers, most often throwing stones on them from the cliffs, after which they paint their caps in the victim's blood. They need to kill as often as possible because they die when the blood on their caps dries up. Most often they are depicted as old men with red eyes, large teeth and claws, sometimes with a spear in their hands. They are faster and stronger than humans. The only way to escape the red cap is to shout a Bible quote.
1. Brahmaparusha
Brahmaparusha is not just some ordinary vampire. The evil spirit comes from Indian mythology and it is known for its passion for human brains. Unlike the noble, dapper vampires who flooded Romania, the brahmaparusha is a grotesque monster. It wraps the intestines of its victims around its own neck and head and wears it like a turban. He also carries a human skull with him as an accessory. When a brahmaparusha kills another victim, he pours her blood into her own skull and drinks. However, he does not stop there: the monster then turns on the Hannibal Lecter mode and treats itself to the victim's brains. How he treats beans and good Chianti at the same time, history is silent.
