Hell-hounds

The hell-hound is a creature of mystery, death, and more. It is found all over Europe, particularly the British Isles and northern Europe. However, it is most remembered for its role in Greek mythology. They were said to live in the Underworld, also known as Hades. They guard the exits, and the dead. Perhaps the most famous hell-hound is Cerberus, the three-headed giant that guarded the entrance to the land of the dead.
The hell-hound is always black in colour, with its fur like the night. Indeed, that is where it spends most of its time. Various tales tell of different numbers of heads. The most common is one, and yet there are others, such as Cerberus, who have three, or even more. The hell-hound will have red eyes, that glow with malice. A foul stench also surrounds the beast, warning those ahead of their impending doom. They are also very strong. Speed is another attribute to which few can match it, as they are said to be able to outrun wild stallions and lift one too, with its jaws.
In nearly all cultures that mention the hell-hound it has been associated with death and the afterlife. Early Christianity claimed it was the beast that guarded the gates to hell, and Greek mythology stated they guarded the dead spirits in Hades. They also have a strong association with fire. Eyes are said to be the window to one's soul, and if that were true, it would certainly fit with the hell-hound. A soul of deadly fire is reflected in the burning orbs called eyes, ever-flickering in the black night.
It is this ever-looming presence of death that has led to one particularly gruesome legend. It is said that were you to catch sight of a hell-hound three times or more, your death was imminent, and very soon. It is also said that if you were to hear or see its howl, your death was nigh. They often wander graveyards, and thus it was sometimes said they would only howl in such a place.
Despite their preferences for places of death, the hell-hounds were also seen wandering ordinary streets. You may have come home late from a party, and be on your way home. Suddenly, the air turns cold, and you feel a looming presence. Red lights appear from nowhere, and a dark shape moves. You scream, and watch as a giant beast runs away. It does not run in fear, rather, it has warned you, death is everywhere.

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellhound
• http://powerlisting.wikia.com/wiki/Hellhound_Physiology
• http://tfwalsh.wordpress.com/2011/08/08/hellhound-hells-guard/
• http://www.mythicalcreaturesguide.com/page/Hell+Hound#fbid=aD2b-95Gn_l

Germanic and Scandinavian Dragons (Lindworm)

The lindworm is a type of dragon found in both Germanic and Scandinavian mythology. Due to Nordic and Viking expansion, tales of the lindworm also spread to the British Isles, particularly areas such as Mercia. The lindworm was first found in northern Germany, Denmark, and southern Norway, but soon spread across all of Scandinavia and the Germanic lands. In Old Norse it was known as the linnormr, which translates roughly as "constrictor snake". In Norwegian it is known as the linnorm dragon, in Danish it is the lindorm serpent, in German it is Lindwurm, and in Swedish it is known as the lindorm.
It is said to have either two or no legs. When it is depicted with legs, they are always fore-legs, rather than hind-legs. The lindworm also has two large wings on its back, ejecting from its shoulder blades. It is otherwise very similar in appearance to that of a large serpent. It supposedly has a venomous bite, that kills instantaneously. Their mouths are also considerably large, being able to swallow a man whole. Its feet were similar to that of hawks or lions, and again of considerable size. There varying tales of the nature and character of the lindworm. Some legends claim it is filled with evil and malice, whereas others state it is gentle and kind. In many Germanic and Scandinavian tales the lindworm was seen as an omen of doom and death, despite others claiming it was the exact opposite. These tales claimed the creature was a symbol of luck and good fortune, and should be treated with due respect, as well as kindness. Despite these two conflicting arguments, there were no particular areas in the region which thought of the lindworm as either good or bad. In Britain it was seen as a completely evil creature, mainly due to the Norse invasions with their dragon long-ships, but everywhere on the continent was mixed in views. One village may say they are terrible beasts, but another just a few miles away may claim they are great creatures, worthy of reverence.
There are several tales of the origins of the lindworm. One Germanic legend states that a man became so filled with evil he turned into a malevolent beast. Other tales hold that they are descended from Slavic and other European dragons. There are some who believe that it is its own species, and not a descendent from some other dragon. The explanation offered by the scientific community is that the local tribes saw some dinosaur bones, and as they did not know what they were, made up fantastic tales of great beasts that roamed the sky. Make up your own mind!
For more information visit:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindworm
• http://www.draconika.com/cultures/german-dragons.php
• http://pictures.linkmesh.com/dragons/scandinavian_and_germanic_dragons.php

Sphinx

There are three main types of the sphinx known to us today. There is the Egyptian, the Greek, and the Asian/Indian. It is said that the Egyptian form was the first, and that from there it spread over the Levant, Anatolia, and Persia, before reaching India and the South-East of Asia. It then spread to Greece, particularly Boeotia, and the City of Thebes. With its spread over the Ancient World, many of its features changed. Although the basic underlying features remained, nearly everything else differed in the three main cultures.
The Egyptian sphinx is perhaps the most famous. Many have heard of the Great Sphinx at Giza, where it stands guard over the pyramids. In Egyptian mythology the sphinx is said to have the body of a lion, and the head of a Pharaoh. The Pharaoh is the name for the Egyptian King and the god Horus reborn, and so the Sphinx was considered to be very powerful. There were many of these creatures, and they lived all over Egypt. They even gained their own cults, and one such cult was located in Thebes, Thebais, Egypt. The Egyptian sphinx was considered kind and gracious, guarding important landmarks and the tombs of the dead. However, if someone were to provoke it, they would be dead within mere minutes.
The Asian sphinx is probably the least well known of the three. It is similar to its Egyptian counterpart, but with wings. They were usually depicted with the head of a Persian Emperor, or someone of great importance. Some believe that the Asian sphinx was in fact influenced by the Greeks, but much evidence goes against this. They are usually benevolent, but can be very dangerous and fierce. They have a short temper in comparison to the Egyptian sphinx, but their kindness knows no bounds. Unlike in Egypt and Greece, there are still many cults that worship the sphinx today. Places such as India and South-East Asia are still largely influenced by local traditions dating back thousands of years, so it is no surprise the sphinx is considered very much alive. However, it is not known as the sphinx, rather, it is called the purushamriga, which is Sanskrit for man-beast.
The final sphinx is that of Greece. There is only one, and it is female. Like the Asian sphinx, it has wings, but also the head of a woman. She is considered destructive and a creature of pure malice, destroying anything in her path. She is said to be the child of Chimaera and Orthus, but a pet of the goddess Hera. The city of Thebes in Boeotia, not to be confused with the Egyptian Thebes, had angered Hera, so she sent the sphinx to terrorise the people. It sat in front of the city gates, refusing to let anyone enter or leave. She would remain there until someone could answer her riddle. This riddle was "What has four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three in the evening?", and has become quite famous today. No-one could answer, and she ate all those who failed. Until one day, a man named Oedipus approached and gave the answer, man. The sphinx was so infuriated someone had bested her, she threw herself off a cliff and died.
For more information visit:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphinx
• http://www.theoi.com/Ther/Sphinx.html
• http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/559722/sphinx
• http://library.thinkquest.org/07aug/00137/sphinx.htm

El Chupacabra

The chupacabra is also known as "el chupacabra" and "goat-sucker". In Spanish, chupacabra actually means to suck goat, from chupar; to suck, and cabra; goat. It was first spotted in Puerto Rico, 1994. Since then it has spread over Mesoamerica, southern United States, and northern regions of South America. It is mainly found in "Latino" populations, hence the Spanish name.
It originally killed goats, but rather than eating it, it sucked out all of the blood and left the bodies intact. It made its way as far as Chile, and began eating other livestock. The chupacabra has now even begun eating dogs and larger creatures. Fortunately, no human attacks have been reported. There have been many attacks, one of the worst sprees was in 1995. There were 35 sightings in Cavanas, Puerto Rico, alone. There were also many in Florida the same year.
There have been many different descriptions of the chupacabra. However, they all have some common features. It has green or grey skin, with either a leather hide or scales. It has sharp spines running down its back, and a forked tongue. Its face is similar to that of a dog. It is supposedly bipedal, meaning it stands on two legs, and can jump up to twenty feet. Its size varies from 3 to 6 feet, and to travel it hops, much like our beloved kangaroo.
The origins of this creature are shrouded in mystery. Some believe it is simply a new vampire like species of mammal, and is only part of the evolutionary process. Some believe they are alien experiments or pets, perhaps even aliens themselves. Some have even claimed they are dinosaurs. A less well known theory is the idea they are experiments gone wrong. As the American government has many bases in Puerto Rico, the idea is fairly feasible. The Americans have been known to experiment on strange things, particularly on the island. Others think it is simply a creature of imagination, despite the numerous sightings.
For more information visit:

• http://www.kidzworld.com/article/2151-el-chupacabra
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chupacabra
• http://www.elchupacabra.com/

Indian Dragons (Nāga)

The Indian Dragon is called the Nāga, or Nāgi, or Nāgini. The Nāga fed on the elephants of India. It is found in both India and South-East Asia. This is due to the fact that it is found in both Hinduism and Buddhism. With their increasing influence spreading to areas such as the Philippines circa 400-500 C.E., ancient traditions and beliefs were not far behind. This resulted in the Nāga being found in the South-East, with only the slightest differences in character.
The Nāga is a deity or semi-divine spirit in the form of a great serpent. They have the ability to change into several forms. These are; a human, a king cobra, a half-human half-serpent, and a large dragon-serpent. In their human form the Nāgis are able to marry and have children with mortal men. Many ancient dynasties claimed descent from such a union. In their mixed form they have the body of a human from the waist up, and that of a serpent from the waist down. The head is that of a human. In their dragon form they have no legs or arms, nor any wings.
Nāgas are immortal, being divine creatures. They are said to hold great wisdom, and live under the waters. They reside great palaces in oceans and lakes, guarding the area. They are also Guardians of the Rain, and ensure there is enough. However, they may also cause a drought, due to a lack of respect for them. Some also protect important figures such as The Buddha, and Vishnu, a Hindu god.
There are many Nāgas in the Buddhist faith. With the spread of Buddhism, the Nāgas were incorporated into local beliefs. Places such as Tibet already had legends of great serpents, and the Nāga was simply made as the same creature. The main Nāga in Buddhism is called Mucalinda, who protects The Buddha whilst he meditates. In Buddhism only some Nāgas live in the water. The rest live among humans or on Mount Sumeru, with other lesser deities.
In Hinduism the Nāga are considered Protectors of Nature, guarding places linked to water, such as wells and rivers. They also guard treasure of the material and immaterial worlds. They are found in the Pātāla, the seventh dimension or realm. They are also the guardians of the Elixir of Life and Immortality. Despite their strength, they are not aggressive toward the human race. Unless they are threatened or harmed, of course.
For more information visit:

• http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Mi-Ni/Nagas.html
• http://www.theoi.com/Thaumasios/DrakonesIndikoi.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C4%81ga

Basilisk

The Basilisk originated in Greek mythology, supposedly being found in the Greek colony of Cyrene, Libya. It was later adopted by the Romans, Pliny even mentioned it in his "Natural History". It became very well known and popular during the Middle Ages, and was adopted by Christians. Christians used it as the serpent that tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, although that is now largely unknown, with modern day Christians believing it was only an ordinary snake. It is described as being the King of all Serpents.
The Basilisk is the result of a snake's or toad's egg being incubated by a cockerel. The Cockatrice, its cousin, however, is a chicken's egg incubated by a serpent or toad. In antiquity the Basilisk was a small serpent, "being not much more than twelve fingers in length". However, during Medieval Europe it began to take features of the cockerel as its own.
In antiquity it is said to be like a snake in appearance, with a white spot in the middle of its forehead. In the Middle Ages however, the appearance changed drastically. It was depicted with bird wings and two legs of a chicken. Some images also show it as having the head of a cockerel with a crest.
The Basilisk is said to kill all those that looked upon it. Its eyes had the ability to turn people to stone, and its very breath was venomous. The stench caused all living things to die. The bite is also said to be lethal. It has large curved fangs that contain a deadly venom. This venom needs only mere seconds to go through the body of the victim before the unfortunate creature dies. When there are no animals it turns upon plants, which wither and die before it. The only plant able to resist the terrible odour is the Rue plant, a shrub.
Fortunately there are several ways to defeat this beast. It is said that if it hears the crow of a cockerel it will fall to the ground in agony and die. Its reflection is also enough to kill it, as no creature is immune to the terrible stare, not even the Basilisk. That is, apart from the weasel. The weasel is the only creature that may see the monster and slay it, as even the cockerel will die when it is near the Basilisk. The stench of the urine of the weasel is enough to intoxicate the Basilisk, striking it dead. Unfortunately, the weasel will also die.
Today it is believed the Basilisk is a creature of imagination, possibly a result of tales of the Far East and exotic serpents such as the King Cobra. But if it kills you when you are near it, how will you know? Could it be real? Make up your own mind...
For more information, visit:

• http://www.gods-and-monsters.com/basilisk-mythology.html
• http://mythicalarchive.com/Creature_Page.php?Name=Basilisk
• http://myth.web-indexes.com/myths/Basilisk.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilisk
• http://www.bestiary.ca/beasts/beast265.htm

Leprechaun

The leprechaun is found in Ireland, originally however, the tales were only found in the north of the isle, particularly Leinster. They were said to have originated in a magical island found in the ocean. They migrated to Ireland and decided to stay. Many legends link their arrival with that of the Tuatha Dé Danann, a magical race that invaded Ireland in ancient times. There have been sightings of the leprechauns since the 8th century.
Until the 20th century the leprechaun was depicted as wearing a red and gold coat, rather than today's popular green and gold. The leprechaun is often male, although females do exist. The female is also much harder to find. The leprechaun is very small, usually around 75cm, and humanoid in appearance. They often have red hair, as is traditional with the Irish. The males also have beards in most cases, which can be of considerable length and are the same colour as their hair. The leprechaun is also depicted as wearing a top hat in the colour of its jacket.
The leprechaun is said to guard a pot of gold and other riches. This "pot" was normally a cauldron and would be buried for safekeeping. Legend holds that the location of such a place would be found at the end of a rainbow. Legend also has it that if you capture a leprechaun he must tell you where he keeps his gold. Where he gets his gold is a matter of serious debate.
Some believe that the leprechauns brought the gold from where they came, whereas others think he is paid by faeries for his work. Some believe they are nothing more than common thieves, whilst many think they took gold from the riches the Vikings left behind after pillaging the Emerald Isle. There is no hard evidence proving any of these theories, and until a leprechaun tells the story of his gold, it will remain hidden to us.
Whatever the truth, the leprechauns have a few jobs. The first and foremost is to make shoes. They make shoes for other faeries, and are the paid for their services. The second is to guard their money. They may do this in several ways. Firstly, they may bury their riches in the ground. They also carry two coins. One is silver and will always return to the leprechaun's pocket, and the other is gold. This coin is used to buy the leprechaun out of sticky situations. However, after leaving the leprechaun, it will dissipate into dust.  The reason they guard their riches is due to humans. Leprechauns see them as selfish and greedy, never to be trusted.
There are ways to trick the leprechaun out of its gold however. If you catch one it is obliged to tell you where it keeps its gold, and from there on you are rich. However, catching one is not as easy as it sounds. They are slippery creatures, and the best way to catch one is when it is busy making shoes. They are constantly looking for a way out, and unless asked direct questions, will use their cunning to get out of a difficult situation. His hat also enables him to completely disappear.
For more information visit:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leprechaun
• http://www.leprechaunmuseum.ie/irish-folklore-mythology/the-leprechaun/
• http://www.irelandseye.com/animation/explorer/leprechaun.html

Slavic Dragons

The Slavic dragon is found all over eastern Europe. Poland, ex-Yugoslavian states, the Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovakia are all Slavic nations. The ex-Soviet states in Europe are also of Slavic descent, however, only western Russia is Slavic. The Slavic people originated in north-eastern Europe, around the Baltic coast. After the fall of the Roman Empire they migrated all over eastern Europe, mainly due to pressure from invading tribes such as the Vandals and Huns. Many settled in today's Russia and Poland, but the majority continued into the Balkans. No Slavs made it to Greece however, due to fierce resistance from both locals and the Byzantine Empire.
The Slavic dragon can be divided into two distinct groups. These are the East Slavic and the South Slavic. The South Slavic can be further divided into two sub-species; the Zmaj (also known as the Zmej or Żmij), and the Aždaja or Aždaha. The East Slavic is called the Zmey Gorynych.
The Zmey Gorynych is found in Russia and the Ukraine. It has three heads and some legends state that they could regrow if severed, much like the Hydra of Greek mythology. It is covered in green scales, and walks on its two hind paws.Its front paws are considerably smaller than its rear ones. It has the ability to breathe fire, and is lethal if it can reach you.
The Zmey Gorynych is usually evil, and is not very intelligent. It is said to have some intelligence; enough to trick its victims, but not enough to escape unscathed from a particularly obvious trap. They also have large wings enabling them to fly, and their huge size is a great advantage in battle. The only way to defeat the dragon is to cut all three heads off before they can grow back. Legend tells that the head can only grow back if there is at least one head remaining. The Zmey Gorynych was not defeated until Dobrynya Nikitich after three days and three hours. It is said he was about to give up until he received a message from Heaven.
The majority of Russian dragons however are Mongol in style, due to the enormous influence of the "Golden Horde".
The Zmaj is found predominantly in Slovenia, and appears on the coat of arms of Ljubljana. Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia. They appear related to legends of Saint George, as the dragons appear to look very similar. Unlike their eastern counterpart they are very intelligent, possessing great knowledge of the present, future, and past. They are also often benevolent and do not always harm humans, despite several legends. for example, the dragon of Ljubljana is said to protect the city from enemies, guarding it in times of need.
The Zmaj is able to breathe fire, and has other magical abilities. They have great strength, and are always very rich. They hoard jewels, gold, and other items of worth, and often have a great castle. They are able to mate with mortal women, and many heroes are said to be the result of a union between a dragon and a mortal. If a particular individual becomes famous enough, he is often deified as a Dragon. An example is Vlad III Dracula, who, after his death, was said to be a member of the Order of the Dragon. Many Slavs became deified as dragons after fighting Turkic invaders such as the Mongols and Ottoman Empire.
The final dragon is the Aždaja. It is not always considered to be a dragon, in fact it is the exact opposite. Unlike the dragon it is filled with evil and black magic, unable to do good. it lurks in formidable places; unreachable and dark. Some legends tell that Saint George slew this creature rather than the Zmaj. The Aždaja is able to breathe fire also, and is often depicted with several heads. The number of heads can vary from 3 to 9.
For more information visit:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavic_dragon
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_dragon#Slavic_Europe
• http://tfwalsh.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/mythology-monday-zmey-the-slavic-dragon/
• http://dragons.wikia.com/wiki/Zmey_Gorynych