Mermaid Mythology

Mermaid Mythology

The roots of mermaid mythology are more varied than one would expect. In modern myth we tend to see mermaids in a singular way - kind and benevolent to humans who keep to their own kind in the deep waters of the ocean. Not all stories go this way, though, and in most cases the most ancient tales of mermaid mythology follow quite a different view.

The earliest known mermaid legends come from Syria around 1000 B.C. where the Syrian goddess Atargatis dove into a lake to take the form of a fish, but the powers there would not allow her give up her great beauty, so only her bottom half became a fish and she kept her top half in human form.



As myths tend to do, the story changed over time and Atargatis became mixed with Syrian goddess Ashtarte, who is generally considered the counterpart to Greek mythology'sAphrodite. Though Aphrodite is rarely portrayed in mermaid form, this evolution of mermaid mythology is what led to Aphrodite's role in the mythology of Pisces, which clearly has roots in Syrian mythology.

Later tales in the mythology of mermaids stem from Homer's epic "The Odyssey", where some mythologists believe the Sirens to have been in mermaid form. This was an extremely popular version of the mermaid throughout history. Many popular tales including legends from the British Isles and the famous Arabian Nights tales identify mermaids in exactly this fashion. In these myths, mermaids would sing to men on ships or shores nearby, practically hypnotizing them with their beauty and song. Those affected would rush out to sea only to be either drowned, eaten, or otherwise sent to their doom.

The evil-intentioned mermaid is not the only way these creatures were seen as dangerous. Some believed that even well-intentioned mermaids would cause great danger to men who believed they saw a woman drowning and would dive into the waters to save them. Other tales suggest that mermaids either forgot or didn't understand that humans could not breathe underwater, and they would pull them down into the depths of the sea, accidentally drowning them in the process.

In the modern mythology of mermaids, however, this is rarely the case. Today these beings are more likely to be seen as innocent and sweet, if not helpful in many cases to human kind. Much of the modern interpretation of mermaids can be credited to the most famous tale in all of mermaid mythology - Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid" and the subsequent Disney movie of the same name.

This famous tale was likely the introduction of the mermaid to many children and adults alike, which makes it no surprise that people tend to stick with that version of this widely recognized creature. Not that Mr. Andersen was alone in this interpretation. Many cultures believed that these beings were immortal and had powers ranging from the ability to cure disease to granting wishes to being able to share their immortality.

Lucky or unlucky, it is interesting that the mythology of mermaids seems to stretch worldwide. European countries tended to have a more negative view of the creatures but many countries in the Pacific Isles see them as signs of good fortune or better. In Warsaw, Poland the mermaid is the symbol of the city and tales of mermaids have come everywhere from central Africa to Canada to Israel. That's a whole lot of places for a creature that isn't supposed to exist.
It appears that much more of our mythical and legendary beings and creatures have appeared more so in the past three decades globally then any other previous time in history. 

I thank you very much for taking interest my dear friends and followers

Return from Mermaid Mythology to the List of Mythical Creatures.

Posted by Cynthia

Elven Earth: Legend of the Tuatha dé Danann

Elven Earth: Legend of the Tuatha dé Danann

Children of the Earth goddess

Whose voices echo from ages past

Are you buried under heavy mounds

of grass and stone?

Or do you live among us?

How may we learn your magic?

Tuatha dé Danann in Gaelic means “tribe or children of the Goddess Danu.” Danu is the Earth or Earth Goddess.

People of this race are Elven or Fae.

It is known that their civilization flourished on Earth thousands of years ago. Yet there is little written or archeological history with details about their lives.

Despite this, their belief system is so strong it calls to us through the ages from our ancestors––with the belief that the Earth is sacred and the source of our magical power. They guide us to find our harmonious place in the ecological system of the planet. Their voices bespeak our connection to our higher selves. They are teaching us to develop our magical skills as spirits of Nature.

The story of how the Tuatha dé Dannan arrived to Ireland and their many exploits have been pieced together from archeological accounts and Irish legends and you can read and learn this history.

Origins of Tuatha dé Dannan

The Elven have sparked interest of visionaries, writers, researchers and archeologists for centuries. It has been said they traveled from Greece or that they came from the lost continent of Lemur and Irish legend tells they mysteriously appeared in a cloud of mist.

We may never know for certain. But the pieces of the mysterious puzzle are, each one, a fascinating treasure. The discoveries of Tara Hill are a wonderful place to begin.

Tara Hill

Tara Hill in Ireland was the home of the Elven Kingdom on Earth and is the legendary door to the Otherworld of Tír na nÓg that lies in another dimension. Artifacts more than 5,000 years old have been found there, including castle doorways and bronze implements.

The complexity of the bronze items found, points to a very advanced civilization. Some archeologists believe that this civilization had its origin in Atlantis, a continent that may have existed between what is today Africa and America, that long ago sank into the sea.

Atlantis and the Bronze Kingdoms

The accounts of Atlantis by the great Greek philosopher Plato have led many scholars and archeologists to pursue the mystery of the lost continent of Atlantis. A highly advanced civilization that began more than ten thousand years ago, Atlantis was deluged in what appears to have been a series of floods that ultimately, drown it completely in the Atlantic ocean.

No one has confirmed any findings of the continent’s remains though many have searched.

Archeologists have found mines in North America thousands of years old that used very advanced methods of mining copper. It has been surmised that the Atlanteans created these mines. They may have established the wealth and power of their civilization by producing bronze (made from tin and copper.) As exceptional sailors, they would have been able to travel the world introducing bronze as a tool for weaponry and machines.

As with the Tuatha dé Dannan, very little is known of these ancient people. It has been surmised that a series of three major floods threatened to wipe out the Atlantean civilization. Each flood saw the exodus of scholars and engineers of extraordinary capabilities.

It is thought that some of these people sailed to Egypt. And some sailed all the way to Ireland to start a new life on the Emerald Isle.

Until the remaining texts are translated, until more artifacts are discovered, we may never have actual evidence. Even then, we are only piecing together a story based on the facts we will have learned.

Could it be that for tens of thousands of years, philosophers and scientists of Atlantis developed their mental skills far beyond the level of advancement we know today? Could it be that these physicists and philosophers knew and could apply the seven cosmic laws, that otherwise survive in only a few books and in the minds of just a handful of philosophers and learned people? Could it be that this wisdom when accurately applied could perform deeds we consider today “magic”?

Tuatha dé Danann

This is where Irish legend begins. Stories that were once passed down verbally from family to family have since been written down.

The legend tells us that as the floodwaters subsided, the Tuatha dé Danann ships stood upon the Hill of Tara in Ireland, whereupon they built their magnificent city of wood, ivory and bronze.

The story opens to us a picture of what might have been their way of life on the island; gardens with flowers of every color, birds who kept them company, bees that made delectable honey and cows who produced the sweetest milk. It has been said that the Tuatha groomed immense horses and rode across the countryside with their long hair flowing behind them. Tall and handsome, these magnificent people wore gold around their necks and crowns of flowers upon their heads.

It is up to you to decide what you believe.

Research indicates the Tuatha dé Dannan regained and practiced their skills in the seven cosmic laws—at least for a while. Some say the most advanced practitioners had developed the ability to appear and disappear at will and to transport through time and space. The most highly skilled could embody animal forms. During the evenings and into the night, they would leave their bodies in astral flight. Needless to say, they were also precisely skilled in the fine arts such as poetry and music, carpentry and metalworking.

Remember that legends are accounts without evidence, however true they may be. Legends tell us that other, more warlike races sought to conquer the Tuatha dé Danann and keep the island for themselves. First, were the Fir Blog, a shorter, stocky race. The Tuatha eventually made peace with them by giving them a wide area of land they could call their own.

The Fomorian giants followed. Fomorian are known as a supernatural race of beings with reddish skin and long thin hair with tempers so volatile it is as if they breathe fire.

Though the Tuatha dé Danann was reluctant, the Fomorian insisted upon war for many years, causing continual unrest in the kingdom.

About 4,000 years ago, during a time of relative peace between the Fomorian and the Tuatha dé Dannan, members of the human race invaded the island. Many say they came from Spain and called themselves Milesian.

Though we’ve never known why, the Tuatha dé Danann never went to battle with the Milesian. Instead, all in one day, they left Tara Hill in Ireland. It is said that they retired to a magical kingdom in a new dimension: a world created under the mounds of Tara and deep under the sea. The stories tell us the name for this world: Tír na nÓg, or the “Land of Youth” since within this world, it is said, the Tuatha lived lifetimes lasting eons.

We may never know the truth of this Tuatha dé Danann. Tara Hill is considered one of the most endangered ancestral or cultural sites in the world at the time of this writing, since new construction is moving onto this land.

Folklore is full of stories of magical people would travel from Tír na nÓg to the world of the humans. Their tricks, adventures and love stories were told for hundreds of years as myths of gods and goddesses. Over time, the stories became lore of great warriors with supernatural powers. As millennia passed, legends of beings with supernatural abilities began to fade altogether. The concept of true magic in the human culture was lost.

Today, we hear of the Faery and the Elven people as tiny beings who hide in the forests and can only be seen by those who are sensitive enough to observe their multi-dimensional state. Thousands of accounts exist of people seeing the Elven and Fae in their yards, farms and homes as well as in their mind’s eye. Many, to this day, believe the Elven heal them, grow their plants and enhance their lives. Perhaps the Elven Spirit––the Spirit of Nature––is the purest essence of our selves.

It is here that our story begins: The Restoration of the Tuatha dé Danann Kingdom.

It’s up to you to learn more about these tales and discover their truth for yourself, if you will.

Most importantly it is up to you to live the legend from this point forward.

- TE Locke

http://elvenworld.net/tuatha-de-danann/

THE NYMPHAI

THE NYMPHAI 

THE NYMPHAI (or Nymphs) were beautiful nature spirits responsible for the nurture of plants and animals in the countryside and the wilds. They were worshipped by the rustic folk: shepherds and herdsmen, hunters and woodsmen, orchadists and beekeepers.

The following are stories from Greek myth of encounters between Nymphs and men. The Nymph types in most stories are interchangeable: in the story of Peleus a Nereid (sea nymph) assumes the role of an Epimelid (nymph of the flocks); in the tale of Kerambos the Nymphs are simultaneously Naiades of the river and Hamadryades of the river-side poplars, etc.
DRYOPE & THE NYMPHS

LOCALE: Mt Othrys, Malis (Northern Greece)

Antoninus Liberalis, Metamorphoses 32 (trans. Celoria) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Dryope herded the flocks of her father. Now, the Nymphai Hamadryades were very much attached to her and made her their companion, teaching her to sing to the gods and to dance. Apollon, seeing her dancing, felt an urge to couple with her. He first changed himself into a tortoise. Dryope, with the other Nymphai, was amused by it and they made a toy of the tortoise. She placed it in her bosom. He changed from a tortoise to a serpent. The frightened Nymphai abandoned Dryope. Apollon coupled with her and . . . she gave birth to Amphissos, the son of Apollon . . . 

In Dryopis he established a sanctuary of Apollon. One day, as Dryope was approaching the temple, the Nymphai Hamadryades gathered her up affectionately and hid her in the woods. In her place they caused a poplar to appear out of the ground. Beside it they made a spring to gush forth. Dryope was changed from mortal to Nymphe.

Amphissos, in honour of the favour shown to his mother, set up a shrine to the Nymphai and was the first to inaugurate a foot-race there. To this day local people maintain this race. It is not holy for women to be present there because wo maidens told local people that Dryope had been snatched away by Nymphai. The Nymphai were angry at this and turned the maidens into pines."

Ovid, Metamorphoses 9. 334 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"The loveliest girl of all Oechalis, dear Dryope, her mother's only child . . . There is a lake whose shelving sides had shaped a sloping shore, and myrtles crowned the ridge. There Dryope had come, not dreaming of fate's design, and, what must make you more indignant, bringing garlands for the Nymphae . . . Near the lakeside was a water-lotus flowered, its crimson blooms like Tyrian dye, fair hope of fruit to come. Dryope picked a posy of these flowers to please her boy. I [her companion Iole] meant to do the same (for I was there), when I saw drops of blood drip from the blossoms of the boughs shiver in horror. For this shrub, you see (too late the peasants told us), was the Nymphe Lotis who fled Priapus's lechery and found changed features there but kept her name. Nothing of this my sister knew. She'd said prayers to the Nymphae and now in terror tried to turn away and leave, but found her feet rooted [and she was transformed into a lotus-tree]."

For MORE information on this maiden see DRYOPE

BYBLIS & THE NYMPHS

LOCALE: Miletos & Byblis, Karia (Western Anatolia)

Parthenius, Love Romances 11 (trans. Gaselee) (Greek poet C1st B.C.) :
"[Miletos had] twain children: Kaunos, lover of right and law, and then fair Byblis, whom men likened to the tall junipers . . . Most authors say that Byblis fell in love with Kaunos, and made proposals to him, begging him not to stand by and see the sight of her utter misery. He was horrified at what she said, and crossed over to the country then inhabited by the Leleges . . . She, as her passion did not abate, and also because she blamed herself for Kaunos' exile, tied the fillets of her head-dress to an oak, and so made a noose for her neck . . . Some also say that from her tears sprang a stream called after her name, Byblis." [N.B. According to other sources the nymphs transformed her tears into a spring.]

Antoninus Liberalis, Metamorphoses 30 (trans. Celoria) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Miletos built the city of Miletos and . . . [had] twins, Kaunos and Byblis . . . Byblis attracted many local suitors . . . She did not pay them much attention since an unspeakable desire for Kaunos was driving her mad. Because she did all she could to hide this passion, she kept it from her parents. But daily she was being gripped by an even more unmanageable Daimon and one night she decided to throw herself from a rock. She went to a nearby mountain and set about throwing herself off. But Nymphai, pitying her, held her back. Casting her into a deep sleep they changed her from a mortal to a deity, into a Nymphe called a Hamadryas [or Hydrias] named Byblis. They made her their companion and sharer of their way of life. The stream which flows from that rock is called to this day by local people the Tears of Byblis."

Ovid, Metamorphoses 9. 450 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"[Miletos had children] Byblis and Caunus, twins, a tragic pair. The tale of Byblis shows that girls should love as law allows, Byblis who lost her heart to great Apollineus [Kaunos], her twin brother. Hers was no sister’s love; her love was wrong . . . Poor girl, she passed all bounds, kept offering herself to his rebuffs, and soon, no end in sight, her brother fled, fled from his country and the scene of shame to found a city in a foreign land. Then Byblis was beside herself with grief.
She beat herself in frenzy . . . [and] ran howling through the countryside, watched by the wives of Bubasis, then on through Caria and Lycia she roamed, among the warrior Leleges, and now Cragus was far behind her and the streams of Limyre and Canthos . . . The forest failed; on the hard ground she fell, exhausted by her quest, and lay face down, with tumbled hair, among the fallen leaves.
Often the Nymphae Lelegeides (of the Leleges) tried to cradle her in their soft arms and often sought to salve the fever of her love, and comforted with soothing words her heart that heard no more. She lay in silence, clutching the small sedge, and watering the greensward with her tears. And these, men say, the Naides made a rill, for ever flowing--what could they give more? At once, as resin drips from damaged bark, or asphalt oozes from the earth's dark womb, or, when the west wind breathes its balm, the sun unlocks the water that the frost has bound, so, wasting by her weeping all away, Byblis became a spring. Still in that dale it keeps its mistress' name, still mournfully trickles below the tall dark ilex tree."

For MORE information on this girl see BYBLIS

KERAMBOS & THE NYMPHS

LOCALE: Mt Othrys, Malis (Northernn Greece)

Antoninus Liberalis, Metamorphoses 22 (trans. Celoria) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Kerambos, son of Eusiros, who was the son of Poseidon and of Eidothea the Nymphe of Othreis, lived in the land of the Melians on the spurs of Mount Othrys. He had numerous flocks and herded them himself. Nymphai would help him since he delighted them as he sang among the mountains. He is said to have been the best singer of those days and was famous for his rural songs. In those hills he devised the shepherd’s pipes and was the first to teach mankind to play the lyre, composing many beautiful songs. It is said that because of this the Nymphai one day became visible to Kerambos as they danced to the strumming of his lyre. Pan, in good will, gave him this advice: to leave Othrys and pasture his flocks on the plain, for the coming winter was going to be exceptionally and unbelievably severe.

Kerambos, with the arrogance of youth, decided--as though smitten by some god--not to drive his beasts from Othrys to the plain. He also uttered graceless and mindless things to the Nymphai, saying they were not descended from Zeus, but that Deino had given birth to them, with the River Sperkheios was the father. He also said that Poseidon, for lust of one of them, Diopatre, had made her sisters put down roots and turned them into poplars until, satiated with his desires, he had returned them to their original shapes.

Thus did Kerambos taunt the Nymphai. After a short while there came a sudden frost and the streams froze. Much snow fell on the flocks of Kerambos and they were lost to sight as well as were the trees and paths. The Nymphai, in anger against Kerambos because of his slanders, changed him into a wood-gnawing Kerambyx beetle. He can be seen on trunks and has hook-teeth, ever moving his jaws together. He is black, long and has hard wings like a great dung beetle. He is called the ox that eats wood and, among the Thessalians, Kerambyx. Boys use him as a toy, cutting off his head, to wear as a pendant. The head looks like the horns of a lyre made from a tortoiseshell."

Ovid, Metamorphoses 7. 353 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"Othrys and those fair uplands that Cerambus' fate made famous long ago. By the Nymphae's aid wings bore him through the air, and when the earth's great mass was whelmed beneath Deucalion's flood, he escaped unflooded by the sweeping sea."
MEGAROS & THE NYMPHS

LOCALE: Mt Gerania, Megaris (Southern Greece)

Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. 40. 1 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"The Megarians say that the Nymphai Sithnides are native, and that one of them mated with Zeus; that Megaros, a son of Zeus and of this Nymphe, escaped the flood in the time of Deukalion, and made his escape to the heights of Gerania. The mountain had not yet received this name, but was then named Gerania (Crane Hill ) because cranes were flying and Megaros swam towards the cry of the birds."

http://www.theoi.com/Nymphe/Nymphai3Myths.html

Melinda Moon elf ears

Melinda Moon elf ears

Woman who believes she was a fairy in a previous life has her ears cut and shaped to look more like an elf Melynda Moon based new ear shape on Lord Of The Rings characters

23-year-old Canadian model had ear cartilage skinned and tips cut
Ms Moon also has a Legend Of Zelda Triforce symbol implanted in her hand Says her friends tell their children 'they know someone who knows Santa'

By ELLIE BUCHDAHL

PUBLISHED: 11:03 GMT, 23 December 2013 | UPDATED: 13:47 GMT, 23 December 2013


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Pointed: Melynda Moon paid £250 for 'elven ears' 
A woman who wanted to look like an elf has had an operation on her ears to make them more pointed.

Melynda Moon, 23, believes she comes from a different realm and was a fairy in her past life. She paid £250 for the operation that she feels will put her back in touch with her mythical side.

Ms Moon - who also had her name changed by deed poll - had the tops of her ear cartilage skinned and pieces cut from the tips to form points. This gave her ears the triangular tips characteristic of the magical figures in her favourite film, The Lord Of The Rings.

The treatment lasted two hours.

Stitches holding the whole ensemble together stayed in for a couple of weeks to allow the skin to fuse - and the result was fully 'elven' ears. Ms Moon has also had a subdermal implant in her hand which represents the Triforce symbol for the Legend of Zelda.

The model, from Guelph in Onatrio, said: 'Pointed ears are the most adorable thing, and I find the elven attire is so elegant. 'My inspiration comes from The Lord Of The Rings: the long hair, dresses and the closeness to nature.

'I have always been very close to nature. When I found out I could have my ears pointed I have never been so sure of something in my entire life.'

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Creating the look: Ms Moon underwent a two-hour operation to have her ears cut and reshaped


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Before: Ms Moon's ear in its former shape

Ms Moon continued: 'I am drawn to elves because of their innocence, elegance and free spirit. They are a symbol of love and laughter.' She described the treatment as 'a bit uncomfortable the day after' and confessed that her ears 'were really swollen and sore with a slight burning sensation'.

But she added: 'It was completely worth it.
'I have a handful of people assume I am dressed up because I have put on pointed ears,' she said.

'When I tell them they are real, they look pretty confused as if they are waiting for me to say 'just kidding' - but I am not.'


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'Obsession': Ms Moon says she has been a fan of mythological creatures since she was a child and believes she was a fairy in a former life Ms Moon said she had been 'obsessed with all things mythical' since childhood.

As a teenager, she said, she would use makeup and hair dye to make herself look 'elven' and even used Photoshop to make her ears look pointed She said of her operation, which she underwent in August 2011: 'I have always had fantasies about what it would be like to be something other than human, so I decided to change my appearance to look supernatural.

'Now I will never go back to being human. I just lack the glitter and wings to fly.' Ms Moon said some of her friends use her to get their children to behave around Christmas.

She said: 'Some people like to tell their kids to stop being bad because they know an elf who'll tell Santa they're being bad. 
'Then their children see my ears and realise their parents aren't joking.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2528305/Woman-believes-fairy-previous-life-ears-cut-shaped-look-like-elf.html#ixzz2ujRxci5I
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Mythological Creatures of Fire | Mythical Fire Beasts

Mythological Creatures of Fire | Mythical Fire Beasts


Mythological creatures are legendary beasts stemming from traditions and stories passed down from ancient times. They are usually depicted as having tremendous powers and abilities. There is often empirical reasoning behind the creation of a mythological creature by ancient civilization. For instance, to prevent children from venturing into dangerous and unknown territory, to prevent theives from accessing a precious treasure or - who knows, they may really been in existence, thousands of years ago. In this article we shall specifically cover mythological creatures of fire, that is, those that originate from fire, those that produce fire and any others that are associated with elemental fire.


Illustration of a dragon: Dragons even worshipped in the Chinese religion. In Europe, dragons were considered to be evil creatures.

1. Dragon


Dragons are the most popular fire-breathing mythical creature since ancient times. Generally, dragons are characterized by their scaly bodies and vicious teeth but dragons vary in size, shape and origin. The European dragon is depicted by a huge leathery body, four scaly legs, bat-like wings emerging from the back and curved claws. In European mythology, dragons are symbolized as evil and vicious creatures.

In contrast, in China and other Asian countries dragons are thought to be majestic and very intelligent creatures that can communicate with humans and even believed to be wiser than humans. Chinese dragons differ greatly from the European ones. The major difference being their appearance; long serpent-like bodies with four legs and lacking wings though they still have the ability to fly.

In Chinese mythology, dragons are considered to have major spiritual importance and are even worshipped in the Chinese religion, Taoism as gods or angels.

Though some people may believe that dragons exist or may have existed in the world in the past, there is no evidence or proof that they may have indeed roamed the earth. It is probable that they may have lived during dinosaur times. But many people come to conclude that the dragon-like fossils may have been mistaken with the gigantic flying birds present millions of years ago.

Recent popular fantasy books such as Eragon (first book of the Inheritance Cycle) have a rich insight on dragons. This amazing fantasy novel depicts a 15 year old farm boy who encounters a strange shiny stone, in one of his hunting trips in the mysterious place known as the Spine. Later on, he is baffled to find out that the stone is actually a dragon egg! He becomes the only human dragon rider in existence and starts being pursued by the Empire and malicious King Galbatorix. From then on, he is thrown into a world of mystery, magic and he plays major roles in vicious battles fought, meets dwarves, elves and other amazing unimaginable creatures.

The Phoenix: Eagle-like with bright plumage

2. Phoenix


The Phoenix is a famous mythical firebird that has long been a sacred mythical creature of fire not only in Egyptian mythology but also in Persian mythology, Greek mythology, and Chinese mythology. It is a symbol for wisdom and longevity, which are some of the eminent traits of this mythical creature of fire. The cry of a phoenix is said to be a pleasant and melodious tune.

The mystical phoenix is said to have a gorgeous plumage with vivid orange, red and scarlet tail feathers. Some tales have it that the bird closely resembled an eagle but with long brilliant colored tail feathers. Many legends from all over the world mention an ancient bird that closely resembled and might have indeed been the phoenix.

The Indian god of mercy and compassion, Vishnu is thought to own an eagle-like bird that had a superficial and eminent glowing appearance of the sun.

In Persian mythology, the Simurgh, is an large ancient bird-like creature that is also speculated to resemble the Phoenix. The Simurgh is mentioned in snippets of Old Iranian literature for example, a classic called ‘Conference of the Birds’ by Farid ud-din Attar.

The phoenix is said to be a wise creature and its exceedingly long life-span may be a great contributor to its intelligence. At the end of its 500 year old life, the phoenix is said to collect twigs with which it makes a nest, acting as a funeral pyre, and waits for the greedy flames to devour its body. From the remains of the burnt phoenix, a new bird is said to be born and the 500 year long cycle is continued.

In modern literature, the renowned fantasy Harry Potter novels also mentions the phoenix, as the intelligent pet bird of the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore.

An artist's depiction of a fiery jinn: Other powers believed to be possessed by the jinn include shape shifting into animal and human forms, transforming into enormous sizes...

3. Jinn


As humans are said to be made from clay, the jinn are said to be made of a smokeless fire. Jinns are said to have many powers including being able to travel extremely long distances in the blink of an eye. Jinn are said to live for thousands of years, as compared to man, who only lives to 100. Never cross the path of a jinn, as they are fond of scaring the shite out of humans just for their own time pass - after all they have a lot of time to spare. Demonic possessions can be attributed to jinn. Although it is a cardinal crime for jinn to possess humans, it still happens quite a lot. Jinn can be expelled from a possessed human through exorcism.

Other powers believed to be possessed by the jinn include shape shifting into animal and human forms, transforming into enormous sizes larger than a mountain or smaller than a gnat, flying and possible having superhuman strength. Magicians, fortune tellers, astrologists and witchdoctors are said to use the powers of the jinn to accomplish their tasks. But in exchange for the jinn helping them, they require the magician to sell their soul to the devil eternally.

Jinn are just like humans in that they have a choice or 'free will' to choose between right and wrong. As such, there are good jinn as well as evil jinn - although the jinn are more often than not inclined towards evil. It is better that one stays away from the dark arts and communication with the jinn. Chances are that once you start interacting with the world of occult, voodoo and jinn, getting out of the trap is next to impossible.

Although the jinn stems from Arabian mythology, it was made popular in western media through the story of Aladdin and the Magic Lamp. This story was popularized by the Disney movie where Aladdin marries the princess, Jasmine. Aladdin was a poor boy who came across the magic lamp which contained a jinn or a genie. By rubbing he lamp, Aladdin set free the genie trapped inside thereby making him the master of the genie, who would grant him 3 wishes.

Illustration of a firebird: The firebird is popular in being pursued for its glowing feathers.

4. Firebird


Although the name firebird immediately brings the Phoenix to mind, the firebird is an all together different mythical creature of fire that originates from many mythologies.

The firebird is illustrated with a plumage of brilliant warm colored feathers that emanate bright light. A single feather of the firebird is believed to cast a bright light in a large and dark room.

It is popular in Russian mythology for bringing either doom to its captor or showering blessings upon the person who frees it from harm.

In Armenian mythology, the firebird is described as having the ability of rejuvenating the land, making it bloom with lush grass and spring flowers by singing in a musical tune.

The firebird is also popular in being pursued for its glowing feathers. Numerous fairytales tell stories of warriors going on difficult quests trailing the firebird, to either capture it or obtain its feathers.

It is mentioned in the Russian fairy tale, the Firebird, where a Prince Ivan, discovers a beautiful firebird plucking a golden apple from a tree in the forest. The prince manages to capture the bird but decides to free it when the bird proposes a deal where it offered one of its magical feathers for protection.

Picture of a chimera: With multiple body parts, 3 heads erupting from its spine - of a goat, a dragon and a lion. It had a tail of a serpant head and wings of a dragon.

5. Chimera





The Chimera was a monstrous and dreadful creature in Greek Mythology that was believed to have wreaked havoc in the mountainous ranges close to the land of Lycia, a region in Anatolia (found in southern region of today’s Turkey).

Although the Chimera has a multitude of forms that are described in various stories, it was well-known for its most hideous form consisting of three heads; one of a grim-eyed lion, the middle of a ferocious dragon and the last head was one of an oddly contorted goat that appeared to be rising from the middle of its back. It had a serpent instead of a tail that moved at lighting-speed. Contrary to its general male features, like a full lion’s mane, the chimera is supposedly said to be a female creature.

The Chimera’s appearance isn’t surprising as it was the offspring of Typhon, a huge winged half-man and half-beast with a thousand heads and Echidna, an equally gruesome many-headed serpentine mother. Added to its terrifying appearance, the Chimera was a one of the mythical creatures of fire that breathed out intense and terrible red flames of fire.

The Chimera was thought to have been wiped off the face of this earth when King Lobates of Lycia commanded the legendary hero Bellerophon, to slay it. Bellerophon mounted the winged horse, Pegasus and shot the Chimera at a safe distance away.

The Chimera is mentioned in various literatures for example; the Song of Ilion by Homer. This epic poem tells us about a few of the battles and events that happened in Ancient Greece, including the incident of the fiery ravaging creature, the Chimera.


Illustration of a mythical salamander: olden superstitions that mention that the salamander could produce fire.

6. Mythical salamander


The salamander, as we all know, is a simple harmless amphibian- not a lizard - that prowls about in wetlands. But apparently, the creature has been associated with the mythological fire lizards in some way or another. The name ‘Salamander’ comes from Greek words that means being that lives in fire and withstands high temperatures. They are also distinctly known as fire lizards in ancient salamander lore. Mythical Salamanders were creatures that were believed to dwell in fire, tolerate the burning flames of fire and put out fire. Some legends even say they were born out of fire, an element that is most destructive to all living things. One of the ancient people who believe in the fire-dwelling salamander is Gregory of Nazianzus. Also known as Gregory the Theologian, he was an archbishop of Constantinople in the 4th century. He supposedly said that the salamander dwelled in fire and could also put out the flames of fire.

In literature, if you can vaguely recall, even Shakespeare mentioned salamanders in Henry IV Part one; “….I have maintained that salamander of yours with fire any time this two and thirty years….”

In other versions of the legendary salamander myth, it is said that they were created by glass blowers who left their furnaces burning for many days and nights.

They are also olden superstitions that mention that the salamander was a man-like creature that was bred by fire and lived in fire. This comes about by the Greek word, ‘slamabeander’ or ‘chimney-man’.

However, these ideas that salamanders may be able to withstand the flames of fire and can extinguish them may have been associated with the natural behaviorisms of the salamander. These include- they have moist slippery skin which is very cool to touch. Quite a number of salamanders have the same attribute of hibernating in dampened fallen logs. When the wood is thrown into the grate, the salamanders appear to emerge out of the licking flames of fire. Benvenuto Cellini, an Italian artist who lived in the 16th century, notably stated in his autobiography, to have seen such an event of the salamander mysteriously materializing out of the fire during his childhood. Although some people may believe in this myth concerning the fire resistant salamander, a Roman author, Pliny, is said to have tested this myth by burning a salamander in fire, the results were the poor creature was actually consumed by the flames.


The Kapre: Believed to be nocturnal, appearing and moving about during the dark depths of night.

7. Kapre


The Kapre is a mythological creature of fire that is related to Philippine mythology. It is one of the rare mythological creatures of fire that is humanoid in nature. By smoking a pipe containing a sweet-smelling perfume it is believed to attract humans, specifically, females which the Kapre itself is drawn to. It is illustrated by its huge figure, around 8 to nine feet tall. Although most Kapre inhabit forestland, some are believed to be mountainous. Kapre are said to play pranks on travelers, confusing them on their route. It wears a belt that has invisibility powers to blend itself into the trees to avoid being spotted by the susceptible humans.

Kapres, lurking in the forest shadows can be identified by strange rustlings of trees or shrub without the wind blowing them and hollow male laughter echoing through the trees. Creepy, isn’t it!


This picture depicts an angry fire giant wielding a sword of fire.

8. Fire Giants


The existence of human giants in itself is a ‘giant’ of a debatable myth. But when we say fire producing giants, it arouses even more curiosity. Norse mythology talks about not only fire giants but also frost giants, but the purpose of this article is to explore mythological creatures of fire.

Although giants were all categorically labeled as impious creatures, the fire giants were thought to be less evil and less powerful than the frost giant. Fire giants were human-like but were much taller and of larger stature. Fire giants habituated around warm mountains and would live solitarily or in groups of 2 to 5.

Apart from being of enormous size, these giants were also thought to have fangs and claws, adding to the intensity of their ferociousness. The hair and beards of fire giants were akin to a glowing flame due to their bright orange shade. They would attack and defend themselves through their ability to shift their body heat into rocks, which would catch fire and obliterate the enemy.

In spite of their ferociousness, fire giants were thought to be full of wisdom, perhaps due to their lifespan, which was believed to be over 350 years.

As mentioned earlier, in ancient mythology, all giants were considered to be wicked creatures. This is supported by stories such as the classic children’s book,Jack and the Beanstalk where Jack climbs to the top of the magical beanstalk into the clouds only to be met with an evil giant that had plans of eating him for supper.

In Gulliver’s Travels, Gulliver who finds himself in a mysterious island filled with thumb-sized people, is immediately besieged and trapped as he was seen to be a giant and thus, dangerous or evil.


Cherufe, mythological creatures of fire: People of Chile thought the Cherufe was the cause of major volcanic eruptions and violent earthquakes

9. Cherufe


The Cherufe originated from Chilean mythology (from Chile, in South America) and is portrayed as a gigantic monster that lives in the bases of volcanoes, in shape of a man made of molten magma.

The long ago people of Chile thought the Cherufe was the cause of major volcanic eruptions and violent earthquakes. It was greatly feared because it was often described as a vile monster that devoured young women whole.

It was believed that if the people had food to offer the beast, it would stop causing volcanic eruptions. So to feed the Cherufe, the people developed a horrifying sacrificial system where young girls would be thrown into the mouths of volcanoes.

Other accounts of the Cherufe mention that to defeat this creature, the sun god stationed his two warrior daughters to guard against the attacks of the wicked Cherufe.

This mythological creature of fire may have arisen to explain the causes of natural phenomenon like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions for which the people of that time did not have any scientific explanation.



10. Fire serpent

Aztec mythology contains a multitude of stories depicting various mythological serpents. The fire serpent is one of the mythological serpentine creatures that are associated with fire. In Aztec mythology, the fire serpent has a name; Xiulcoatl. (pronounced: shee-oo-ko-ah-tl)

The Xiulcoatl is believed to be a representation or spirit form of the Aztec fire god, Xiuhtecuhtli. It is also associated with the Central Mexican god of fire and it was a popular symbol of fire and solar heat.

The Xiuhcoatl is described as having a long segmented body and a back-turned snout. In various drawings of the voracious fire serpent, it is illustrated with vivid red flames gushing out of its fanged mouth.

In other myths of the fire serpent, it is said to have two feathered heads- one to represent land or the earth and the other monstrous head to represent natural catastrophes.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Fiery-Beasts-Mythological-Creatures-of-Fire