Tengu Shape-shifting mountain goblins notorious for preying on the secret desires of pious monks and leading them astray. Believed to be imported from China and India (sometimes linked with T’ien-kou and the garuda), they c [...]
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Taniwha Maori. Diverse class of fabulous beasts and monsters said to inhabit lakes, rivers, and the ocean, and devour people. While some taniwhas have been described as giant reptiles, others take the form of whales, shark [...]
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Pontianak Malay, Indonesian. Perhaps Malaysia’s most famous and dreaded spirit. Said to be the stillborn offspring of the dreaded langsuir, she is described as a blood-thirsty vampire dressed in white that feeds on th [...]
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Tokkaebi Famous horned goblin that appears in numerous native fairy tales. Boisterous and traveling in groups, they are believed by some to be wandering spirits of the deceased who haven’t been granted permission to enter [...]
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Bouraq Fabulous creature said to have carried the prophet Mohammad on the Night Journey, traveling to Jerusalem and the seven spheres of Heaven. It is described as a winged horse with a peacock’s tail and a woman’s head. [...]
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Mongolian Death Worm Fabulous creature found in the Gobi Desert; described as a bright red worm resembling the intestines of a cow. Growing to a size between two and five feet long, locals claim it is able to spew acid [...]
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Manananggal Perhaps the most famous and horrific of all the aswangs. A beautiful maiden by day, it then sprouts claws, wings, and fangs at night, detaching its upper body at the torso and flying out to feed. It is [...]
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Bilu Ogre-like guardian beings who supposedly devour people; often depicted with green skin and wielding a club. They figure prominently in traditional puppet theater and temple art. ----------------------------------- This is [...]
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Fehuluni Tongan. Popular ghost said to appear as a woman to men and conversely as a man to women. It is more commonly known as a woman who removes her head from her shoulders and combs her hair. --------------------------- [...]
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Kappa Nefarious river imp about the size of a small child; described as having the beaked head of a monkey and the body of a turtle. Although depicted in more recent times as being playful, they were originally quite feared, d [...]
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