Mythology Stack Exchange
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Questions tagged [mythical-creatures]

For questions about animals or non-human beings described in folklore and legends, which may or may not be based on actual creatures.

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Is there a word for the type of creatures that feeds off human energy, such as emotions?

Is there a common, categorical name for creatures that become stronger and more powerful by feeding off living beings' emotions, such as fear, anger, greed?
user997
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Mythological Beings taking on Insect/Arthropod Form

Are there any gods or other mythological beings which take on the form of insects? A partial resemblance (like Khepri) would count as a yes for me, but a god which is simply associated with insects wouldn't.
qeschaton
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Are there any four-armed deities or creatures in the Greek or Roman pantheons?

As in the title, are there any four-armed (two-legged) deities or creatures in the Greek or Roman pantheons? Essentially the morphological opposite of centaurs, in terms of limb numbers.
rek
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Are there any creatures based on breath or air, and specifically stealing these if possible?

I'm sure we've all heard of the myth of cats stealing babies' breath, but I'm looking for more than that. I've heard of two other myths as well, the Boo Hag off Gullah culture and mice in some Chinese myths, but other than that I can't find much of…
Dorian
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Looking for a mythological flying creatures that has saved human life

Can anyone help me? I am looking for a mythological flying creature(s) that has saved human life? I am asking for a project in progress. Thanks.
yoav sarfaty
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Marine Human Hybrids

One of the most popular types of creatures in mythology are marine humanoids. We have the mers--part human, part fish--the cecaeliae--part human, part cephalopod--and the selkies, part human, part seal. Are there other human/marine-animal hybrids…
JohnWDailey
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Which creatures from Grimms' tales come directly from German myth?

Trying to determine which creatures in the stories are based on German myth (i.e. things people actually believed in), and which were characters in cautionary tales or stories made up for entertainment (i.e. not believed in). I figured it would be…
user
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Gods or goddesses of memory

Apart from good old Mmenosyne, are there gods or goddesses of memory (or lack thereof) in any legendarium? I couldn't find much more beside Meng Po and possibly Muninn, but they don't feel very... substantial.
kenshin
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Can succubus be loyal to her lover?

Like in the title can a succubus be loyal to her lover or it has to have sexual intercourse men?
Hegao
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Mythical Creatures associated with Bells

Pretty much what it says on the can. I was wondering if there where any mythical creatures or "folk" (little people, Huldufolk, etc) associated with bells, or the sound of bells. Thank-you in advance to anyone who takes the time out of their day to…
a25bedc5-3d09-41b8-82fb-ea6c353d75ae
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Who are the little people who clean in exchange for a saucer of milk?

Terry Pratchett has referenced them in several works. I think other authors have too. I've googled, to no real avail. They first have to "steal" the instructions from manuals, the back of packets, etc. before they can do any of their work, which…
LikeATiger
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What is a type of creature that steals souls?

I an writing a book, and I cannot find any soul stealing creatures that still look human! I was wondering if you could give me any examples?
Lemon
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Important 'watchers', 'watchdogs' or 'guardians of a process'

I'm looking for figures of important 'watchers'/'guardians'. Actually I don't know the right word, but it doesn't need to be like a 'security-guardian', who doesn't let someone get through (i.e. not like Kerberos or the like). I am thinking more of…
dingalapadum
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What are some famous mythological characters portrayed as guardians of something secret?

Looking for mythological characters similar to Cerberus.
John
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Wolf and snake chimera

Is there any mythical creature that is a chimera between a wolf and a snake? Cerberus could be considered one but he was definitely a dog, not a wolf.
Sardathrion - against SE abuse
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