The stories of mythical creatures span across cultures and time, continuing to interest and influence people today
Shape-shifting lizard women from Hawaii.
Human-goat hybrids from Texas.
Mischievous goblins from Korea.
Mythical beings exist throughout cultures around the world and still influence modern cultures and people, according to members of the BYU–Hawaii ohana.
Mythical creatures are “a really important part of remembering, recovering and reinscribing culture when a lot of that has been lost over time,” explained Dr. Caryn Lesuma, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Arts & Letters from Laie. She said in Hawaiian culture, mythical creatures play an important role in bringing stories and language back into common knowledge.
Lesuma shared stories of the menehune, mo’o, Kamohoali’i and Nanaue, who are mythical beings native to Hawaii. Referring to Pukui and Elbert’s Hawaiian Dictionary, she explained menehune are a race of small people who build during the night, creating things such as roads, fish ponds and temples. “If the work was not finished in one night, it remained unfinished,” the dictionary explains.
Referring to the book “Ka Po‘e Mo‘o Akua: Hawaiian Reptilian Water Deities” by Marie Alohalani Brown, Lesuma said mo’o are water spirits who exist in lizard form. “They vary greatly in size, appearing as tall as a mountain or as tiny as a house gecko, and many possess alternate forms,” explains Brown. Mo’o are usually women, some of which have the power to transform into humans. According to Brown, mo’o akua refers to very powerful mo’o who, in early Hawaiian history, have held important political and societal roles.
Referring to “Hawaiian Folk Tales (1907)” by Emma Nakuina, Lesuma talked about shapeshifting sharks. According to Nakuina, Kamohaoli’i is a Hawaiian shark god with the ability to shapeshift into a human. Nanaue is Kamohaoli’i’s demigod son, who would use his powers to change into a shark and eat humans, Nakuina explains.
Accalia Stancliffe said her hometown in Texas holds celebrations commemorating the anniversaries of the first sighting of its native mythical creature. “There’s a cryptid from my hometown called the Lake Worth Monster. It’s half-man, half-goat creature that was reported around Lake Worth,” shared Stancliffe, a senior majoring in visual arts.
Joo Young Hwang, a senior from Korea majoring in biology, said mythical creature stories evolve and change over time. “Korea has goblins [called doggaebi that] actually came from things that are really old … They like to play with humans. [They are] sometimes cruel, but sometimes fun,” she said.
Having fantasy stories about mythical creatures, “allows you to rethink reality because you get to step out of it,” Lesuma said. She said these stories provide a way to imagine new possibilities and explore new ideas.
Lesuma said hearing stories about mythical creatures allows people to indulge in the excitement of the unknown. “I think in some ways it’s comforting to think, ‘Hey, maybe they are there!’ even if we can’t see them. Maybe they are there as guardian spirits, or watching over us, or making sure that we’re okay, or giving us these possibilities to explore,” she shared.
Fairies
Patupaiarehe
New Zealand
Translating to “pale fairies,” patupaiarehe are thought to be the first inhabitants of New Zealand, according to Maori folklore. They are said to have red or light-colored hair and pale skin and reside in the mountains and deep forests in houses made of mist. They only eat raw food and can be scared off by the smell of cooked food. Male patupairehe use the sounds of flutes, or koauau and putorino, to lure young women away from their homes in the middle of the night but eventually return them unharmed. Patupaiarehe are said to have taught the Maori people makatu, or magic, netmaking and atahu, or love spells.
All information received from tmrowe.com
Aspara
India, Cambodia and Indonesia
Originating in Hindu and Buddhist culture, apsaras are commonly described as celestial nymphs who dance in the heavens to entertain the Hindu gods. They were created at the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, an event where the Hindu gods and demons came together to churn the ocean to gain amrita, or an elixir of immortality. Apsaras are known for their beauty and elegance and have the responsibility of blessing marriages.
All information received from worldhistory.org, ankorguide.net and oxfordreference.com.
Goblins
Toyol
Malaysia
The toyols are described as agile and small green children with sharp teeth and red eyes. They come into existence when a shaman revives a deceased child using black magic. They are known for completing tasks for a master, such as stealing and causing harm. Because they are so small, they are able to sneak into houses easily without being noticed. They have the power to cause bad luck, sickness and accidents. Toyols are easily distracted by toys and shiny objects and are afraid of seeing themselves in the mirror.
All information received from warsandhistory.com.
Monsters
Yowie
Australia
Similar to “Bigfoot” in America, yowies are creatures that can grow up to 10 feet tall. Descriptions have varied over the years, but they are often depicted as being very hairy and resembling an ape. In Aboriginal folklore, yowies are said to have coexisted with humans in Australia, but there were incidents of violence. They now live deep in the forest, where they hardly come in contact with humans. Sightings have been reported since the 1800s.
All information received from allthatsinteresting.com.
Long
China
Commonly known as the “Chinese Dragon,” lóng are very important in Chinese history and folklore. Unlike European dragons, Chinese dragons symbolize nobility, luck and protection. They have a snake-like body, camel-like head and tiger-like paws, and they breathe clouds instead of fire. Types of dragons include: The spiritual dragon, which controls the wind and rain; the winged dragon, which represents rain and floods; the celestial dragon, which protects gods in the sky; the coiling dragon, which controls time; the treasure dragon, which protects hidden treasures; the underworld dragon, which oversees the rivers, seas and streams; the horned dragon, which represents power and controls the rain; and the dragon king, which is the most powerful and oversees all the seas in China.
All information received from study.cli.org.
Spirits
Mami Wata
Africa and Caribbean
Translating to “Mother Water,” Mami Wata is a water goddess that exists across many African cultures. She is often depicted as a mermaid or as a woman with snakes wrapped around her torso and neck. She is said to possess powers of healing, fertility and prosperity, but when angered, she can cause bad luck, sickness and even death.
All information received from africa.si.edu and blamuk.org.
Thunderbird
America
Originating from Native American tribes in the Pacific Northwest of America, the Thunderbird is a powerful spirit resembling an eagle with two curved horns on its head. It has the ability to create thunder with the flap of its wings, lightning bolts from its eyes and rainfall. The Thunderbird can be observed at the top of many Native American totem poles as a representation of its power and strength.
All information received from spiritsofthewestcoast.com.
Shapeshifters
Tanuki
Japan
Also known as the “Raccoon Dog,” tanuki refers to a real species of dog native to Japan, but they are also a shapeshifting creature in Japanese folklore that likes to cause mischief. Tanuki can transform into many different things, such as humans, trees, stones, household items, statues and monsters. They are often cheerful and cause mischief by playing tricks on humans.
All information received from yokai.com.
Gumiho
Korea
Translating to “nine-tailed fox,” the Gumiho is a figure in Korean folklore with the ability to transform into a beautiful woman. The Gumiho’s greatest desire is to become human. In some stories, the Gumiho is depicted as having to seduce 1,000 men and eat their livers in order to become human. In other stories, she simply has to live as a human for 1,000 years to truly become human.
All information received from world.kbs.co.kr.
Aswang
Philippines
Aswang refers to an evil shapeshifting creature in Filipino folklore. It can take the form of a vampire, werewolf, witch or even a human. Aswang like to feed on human flesh, especially the flesh of pregnant women, using their long, pointed tongues. They are said to only come out at night and can be identified by their backward-facing feet and bloodshot eyes.
All information received from medium.com and allthatsinteresting.com.