A gigantic beast of Norse mythology that swallows all. He takes the form of a wolf so big that when he opens his mouth, his jaws touch the earth and the sky. Blazing flames erupt from his eyes and nose. He was counted along with the world serpent Jormungandr and the goddess Hel as one of the three children of Loki, the god who would later trigger Ragnarok, and the giantess Angraboda.
A gigantic beast of Norse mythology that swallows all. He takes the form of a wolf so big that when he opens his mouth, his jaws touch the earth and the sky. Blazing flames erupt from his eyes and nose. He was counted along with the world serpent Jormungandr and the goddess Hel as one of the three children of Loki, the god who would later trigger Ragnarok, and the giantess Angraboda.
Garm guards Eljudnir, Hel's hall in Niflheim, and is chained in the cave of Gnipahellir. He chases away all who approach the underworld, allowing only Odin to pass. At Ragnarok, he will be released from his chain, and his howl will announce the beginning of the end. After an epic battle with Tyr, the dying Garm will sink his teeth into Tyr's throat, sending both to their deaths.
Although he appears vicious at first glance, Garm is actually a big softie, timid and lonely. He is sometimes identified with Fenrir.
A monster with two sharp, spiraling horns on its forehead, considered the counterpart of the unicorn. Males are called bicorns, while females are called chichevaches ("thin cows").
If unicorns are considered holy, then bicorns are considered unholy, reviled as filthy beasts. The number 1 is said to signify the purity of man, while the number 2 represents the seduction brought by the arrival of women. This dualistic nature has proved especially influential in Japan.
Unicorns are said to have originated from bicorns, and once had two horns themselves. They are also thought to have been invented later as symbols of good to oppose the "evil" bicorns.
Bicorns are said to symbolize adultery, one of the Seven Deadly Sins.
Also known as Ushioni. A monster with the head of a bull and the body of a spider. It is vicious, brutal, and extremely belligerent, and is said to attack and devour humans who walk along beaches. Its superhuman strength and relentless nature mean that once it sets its sights on you, there is no escape.
Today, there is a festival in Uwajima, Ehime, Japan featuring a parade dedicated to Gyuki. Many shrines throughout Japan also pay tribute to Gyuki.
Raij? ("thunder animal" or "thunder beast") is a legendary creature from Japanese mythology. Its body is composed of either lightning or fire and may be in the shape of a cat, tanuki, monkey, or weasel. The form of a white and blue wolf (or even a wolf wrapped in lightning) is also common. It may also fly about as a ball of lightning or fire (in fact, the creature may be an attempt to explain the phenomenon of ball lightning). Its cry sounds like thunder.
A n?e (?) is a legendary creature found in Japanese folklore. It is described as having the head of a monkey, the body of a raccoon dog, the legs of a tiger, and a snake as a tail. According to the legend, a n?e can metamorphose into a black cloud and fly. Due to its appearance, it is sometimes referred to as a Japanese chimera. N?e are supposed to be bringers of misfortune and illness.
An elusive creature first sighted in West Virginia, USA in the 1960s.
About two meters in height, the Mothman wears no clothes and has a pair of giant wings on its back. It can fly at amazing speeds, and those who mitness it catch only a fleeting glimpse. As a result, very little is known about it.
The area where it has been spotted are also well known for U.F.O. sightings, fueling speculation that the Mothman itself may be an extraterrestrial.
A monster of Greek mythology, appearing in the eight book of Pliny's "Natural History." Its name means "one who looks downward."
The catoblepas was said to dwell in the west of Ethiopia, near the Nile River. It was described having the body of a black buffalo and the head of a pig or snake, with a slender rope-like neck. It was stocky in build, and its body was covered by incredibly hard fur. Its breath was said to be deadly poison, enough to instantly cause the plants around it to wither and die. The catoblepas also had a lethal gaze that would (turn) whatever its eye crossed to stone. However, its slender neck made it difficult to raise its head, and so it rarely had the chance to wield this power.
The catoblepas is also sometimes identified with the Gorgons of Greek myths.
A gigantic beast of Norse mythology that swallows all. He takes the form of a wolf so big that when he opens his mouth, his jaws touch the earth and the sky. Blazing flames erupt from his eyes and nose. He was counted along with the world serpent Jormungandr and the goddess Hel as one of the three children of Loki, the god who would later trigger Ragnarok, and the giantess Angraboda.
At birth, Fenrir had no particular powers at all and was not placed under the watch of the Aesir. But as time passed, his power grew. At last, the gods attempted to bind Fenrir with a chain called Loedingr, but Fenrir easily bit through the chain. The gods then tried again with Dromi, twice as strong as Loedingr, but again Fenrir easily broke it. Finally, the gods asked the dwarves to forge a third chain, Gleipnir ("entangling one"), and with this they succeeded in binding Fenrir.
At Ragnarok, Fenrir will break free from Gleipnir and swallow Odin, the chief of the gods.
"One of the Si-xiong from the west side of China, it is believed to carry the blood of a great emperor. Its stubborn personality leads it to fight until it can no longer stand."
— SMT Compendium Info
According to the book "The Monster That is History" by David Der-wei Wang, the Taowu is a monster of Ancient China that, while skillful in divination and able to see the past and the future, is fierce and violent. The Taowu is said to appear with "a human face, a tiger's feet, a pig's feet and a tail 18 feet long". It is said to be thoroughly stubborn that it would refuse to back down from a fight.
Fenrir
