The List of Lesser Known Monsters

Greeting guys and ghouls, gals and Gorgons; it is time for another Spooktober blog post and, this time around, I’m here to talk to you about the monsters that have mostly avoided appearing on the big screen… These are the real monsters of the ancient myths and urban legends. The ones who are known in folklore and are far creepier than most of the monsters in the movies. This is the better version of Fantastic Beasts; I present to you, the List of Lesser Known Monsters.

The Ancients

Manticore – Persian Mythology – A creature with a human head, the body of a lion and the tail of a scorpion (or a tail of venomous spines like porcupine quills depending on the source). It is believed that the manticore could fire its sting/spines at its prey. Its name literally translates to ‘man-eater’ from early Middle Persian. The story of the manticore came to European folklore via a Greek physician at the Persian court of King Artaxerxes II. It’s said that the manticore has three rows of teeth and that a sting from its tail was immediately fatal; so, my question is, can I have one as a pet?

Basilisk – Greek Mythology – described as the serpent king, the basilisk of Cyrene was said to be only twelve fingers long and its hiss makes all other serpents flee in fear. But this small snake was so venomous that it left a wide trail of poison in its wake and its gaze was indeed fatal and even killed plants and it scorched the earth with its breath, hence why some accounts state that it could breathe fire too. It was referred to as king because it was said to have a crown shaped crest on its head and it’s name comes from the Greek word for king and a diminutive addition which translated to ‘petty king’ or ‘little prince.’

The Old

Nuckelavee – Scotland/Orkney Islands – a horse-like demon described as looking like a man’s torso attached to the back of a horse with arms that can reach the ground and no legs for the ‘man.’ The Equine head is said to have a huge, gaping mouth that exhales smelly toxic vapours. Its breath is said to wilt crops, sicken animals and the nuckelavee has been blamed for droughts and epidemics on land despite dwelling predominantly in the sea. It is said to abhor fresh, flowing water and jumping a stream is the only way to escape the Nuckelavee. It is described as without skin and it’s black blood can be seen flowing through yellow veins and its sinew and muscles are fully visible. The Nuckelavee has no redeeming qualities and the only being capable of containing it is the Mither o’ the Sea, an ancient being from Orcadian myth who keeps the Nuckelavee confined during the summer months.

Grendel – Anglo Saxon – Grendel was the cursed descendent of Cain and was terrible to look upon according to the story of Beowulf, where he was one of three villains. He was tormented by the singing from the mead hall in Heorot and attacked the hall every night for 12 years, destroying and devouring the people of Heorot. He is depicted as a monster or giant and is said to be exiled from happiness and accursed by God and his rampage against Heorot only ended when the hero, Beowulf, mortally wounded him. My personal favourite depiction of Grendel is in the Beowulf film starring Angelina Jolie and Ray Winstone where is very much the hideous monster he should be.

Banshee – Ireland – Translated from Irish banshee means “fairy woman.” They are the heralds of death within predominantly Irish families (particularly families with O’- or Mac- prefixes) by keening, shrieking or wailing. Sometimes seen as a woman with a deathly complexion in a green or white dress with eyes red from crying, the banshee’s cry is said to be the most harrowing, haunting, mournful sound on earth and her shriek is said to be so piercing it can shatter glass. She may be seen at night as a shrouded woman, crouched beneath a tree, lamenting with a veiled face or flying through the moonlight crying bitterly.

The New

Bunyip – Australian Aboriginal Mythology – The Bunyip is a creature that has a huge and varying amount of possible descriptions. It has been described by natives as nocturnal, amphibious and inhabits lakes, rivers and swamps. Some legends say that the bunyip is a bloodthirsty predator preferring to eat women and children. While others say it eats crayfish and has a loud, roaring call. There are seal-dog bunyips and long necked bunyips. The seal-dog bunyip is said to be 4-6 feet long, with a head that resembles a bulldog, no tail and whiskers like a seal. The long necked version is anywhere between 5 and 15 feet long and is said to have a head like a horse or emu, small tusks and many layers of folded skin.

Wendigo – Canadian/US Legend – the Wendigo is a malevolent, monstrous spirit that possesses humans and animals alike. Its influence encourages murder, insatiable greed and cannibalism and it is described as on the brink of emaciation with deathly grey skin pulled tight over its bones, as though it had recently been dug up from a grave and it reeks of death and decay. It is a traditional belief of Algonquin speaking people and is associated with winter, famine and starvation. It is also seen as the embodiment of gluttony and is said to grow in proportion to its last meal and that its hunger will never be satisfied.