Mythology

The Dullahan is a type of fairy, which is a headless rider who carries his own decaying head under his arm. Where he stops riding, a person dies. He is also known in American folklore in Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, where he appears as the ghost of a Hessian soldier. 

The Dhampir is said to be the child of a vampire and a human. Unlike their dead parents, they are living beings with unique powers: they can see invisible vampires, are renowned vampire hunters, and are often sought out to slay the undead. This myth explores the liminal space between the human and monstrous worlds. 

The Kuchisake-Onna is a modern Japanese urban legend of a vengeful spirit, who appears as a woman with a surgical mask. She asks victims, “Am I beautiful?” If they say yes, she removes her mask to reveal a horribly slit mouth from ear to ear, asking “How about now?” The only ways to escape are … Read more

A female spirit from Irish folklore, the Banshee is a symbol of death. She attaches herself to old Irish families and appears as a wailing woman, often seen washing bloody clothes, to warn the family that somebody will die in the family. Her cry is a mournful, piercing sound.

According to legend, in the 1700s, a “Mother Leeds” cursed her 13th child, wishing it were a devil. The child was born normal but transformed into a creature with bat wings, a horse’s head, cloven hooves, and a forked tail before flying up the chimney. It is said to haunt the Pine Barrens, emitting a … Read more

La Llorona is a widespread legend of a ghostly woman who wanders near rivers or lakes, wailing for her drowned children, which she killed in a fit of madness or revenge. She is often said to kidnap or attack children who are out after dark. The myth is a cautionary tale about betrayal, grief, and … Read more

In Australian Aboriginal mythology, the Bunyip is a mysterious creature that hides in swamps, rivers, and billabongs. People describe it in many different ways: some say it has a dog-like face, others say it has a horse’s head and a crocodile’s body. The Bunyip myth is often used to warn children not to play near … Read more

Japan’s Yuki-onna is a beautiful woman with long black hair and pale skin who appears during snowstorms. She can blow cold breath that freezes people to death, but sometimes she’s kind. She might spare travelers or even fall in love with humans. The Yuki-onna represents both the beauty and the danger of winter in rural … Read more

From West Virginia, USA, there’s the myth of the Flatwoods Monster. In 1952, a group of children and a local woman said they saw a weird human-like creature with a spade-shaped head, glowing red eyes, and a tight green suit. The creature made a hissing sound and smelled like metal. This myth is a classic … Read more

In Southern Africa, the tikoloshe is a small, tricky or evil spirit. Witches are said to summon it to torment their enemies, and it can cause illness, bad dreams, or even death. To protect themselves, people sometimes sleep with their beds raised on bricks or put a broom under the bed. Adults can’t see the … Read more