For centuries or more, tales of mythological creatures and mythical beasts have captured our minds. Stories of mythical animals, mythical monsters, and other cool mythical creatures continue to spread across the world through books, film, television, and many other media sources. Sometimes, these mystical creatures are purely symbolic and offer us a closer look at a particular culture’s fears, desires, or values, while other folk tales about cute mythical creatures are based on human nature—or perhaps simply invented to keep disobedient children in line.

Whatever the origin or purpose of these myths and folklore, people seem to be intrinsically drawn to them. So, let’s dive in (sometimes literally—I’m looking at you, mermaids) and learn more about this list of mythical creatures. What Is a Mythological Creature?

A mythological creature, also referred to as a legendary creature or mythical creature, is a fictional, supernatural and imaginary animal or hybrid being (meaning it can sometimes be part human). The existence of legendary creatures or mythological creatures referred to in ancient traditional circles has not been proven. Do Mythological Creatures Exist?

Carolyne Larrington, a professor at Oxford, has pointed out that myths, legends and folktales sometimes share similarities across continents and cultures. One important reason for this is that they are "rooted in general human experience. Our shared biology and universally similar life-cycles, from birth, marriage, child-rearing, aging and death, may generate broadly similar stories." However, the presence of these creatures has often been described in folklore, legends, fables, poetry, mythology, fairy tales, novels, myths and other varied forms of fiction. Purists are of the opinion that mythical creatures have been described in historical accounts long before history emerged as a branch of science. The beliefs and mindsets associated with mythical beasts are varied and bring to life a plethora of theories about their existence or non-existence. However, Wiccan authors such as D.J. Conway are of a different mindset and have written manuals and books to help people from every walk of life harness the energies and abilities of mythical and magical creatures. For such thinkers, these creatures have both symbolic and literal spiritual value.

An Epic Collection of Mythical Creatures

Despite your opinion on the reality of mythological and legendary beasts and creatures, we've created a helpful list of 100 of the greatest and most iconic of these beings for you to enjoy.

This article showcases an epic collection of mythical creatures that fascinate and evoke the curiosity of the unknown. If you have a view, opinion, or creature suggestion, let us know in the comments section.

The mandrake is the root of a plant from genus Mandragora, which is part of the nightshade family. Legend has it that when it is dug up it screams and kills all who hear it. The plant was also used in the Middle Ages for magical potions.

The mandrake is the root of a plant from genus Mandragora, which is part of the nightshade family. Legend has it that when it is dug up it screams and kills all who hear it. The plant was also used in the Middle Ages for magical potions.

10 Greatest Mythological Creatures and Legendary Creatures of Myth and Folklore

Werewolf: Wolf-human shapeshifter (Global Culture)

Dragon: Depicted as fire-breathing and winged (Global Culture)

Chimera: Hybrid Fire-breathing creature (Greek Mythology)

Loch Ness Monster: Aquatic monster (Scottish Folklore)

Mermaid: Human-fish Hybrid (Global Culture)

Yeti: Ape-like being/entity (Nepalese Folklore)

Basilisk: Legendary reptile often called the “King of Reptiles” (European Mythology)

Sphinx: Human-headed lion (Greek Mythology)

Medusa: Winged female monster who had venomous in place of hair (Greek Mythology)

Griffin: Tail, legs and body of a lion and wings and head of an eagle (Ancient Egyptian Mythology)

100-greatest-mythological-creatures-and-legendary-creatures-of-myth-and-folklore

The Existence or Non-Existence of Legendary Creatures and Mythological Creatures

The word legend is associated with ethnic groups and animals from the ancient world and often draws a parallel as a comparison with something unknown. Thus, mythological creatures or legendary creatures are associations with beliefs that stem from the unknown. Little is known about these beings except the fact that they may only exist as beliefs.

Since the dawn of human life, unknown living beings or elusive animals seen or encountered for the first time have been accounted for in narratives that have gradually grown into legends associated with mythical beasts. This theory provides an explanation as to why humans believe in legendary creatures; however, the truth remains unclear.

An urban legend, urban myth, urban tale, or contemporary legend is a form of modern folklore consisting

of stories that may or may not have been believed by their tellers to be true. As with all folklore and mythology,

the designation suggests nothing about the story's veracity, but merely that it is in circulation, exhibits variation

over time, and carries some significance that motivates the community in preserving and propagating it.

Despite its name, an urban legend does not necessarily originate in an urban area. Rather, the term is used to

differentiate modern legend from traditional folklore in pre-industrial times. For this reason, sociologists and

folklorists prefer the term contemporary legend.

Urban legends are sometimes repeated in news stories and, in recent years, distributed by e-mail. People

frequently allege that such tales happened to a "friend of a friend"; so often, in fact, that "friend of a friend has

become a commonly used term when recounting this type of story.

Some urban legends have passed through the years with only minor changes to suit regional variations. One

example is the story of a woman killed by spiders nesting in her elaborate hairdo. More recent legends tend to

reflect modern circumstances, like the story of people ambushed, anesthetized, and waking up minus one

kidney, which was surgically removed for transplantation--"The Kidney Heist."

The term “urban legend,” as used by folklorists, has appeared in print since at least 1968. Jan Harold Brunvand,

professor of English at the University of Utah, introduced the term to the general public in a series of popular

books published beginning in 1981. Brunvand used his collection of legends to make two points: first, that

legends and folklore do not occur exclusively in so-called primitive or traditional societies, and second, that one

could learn much about urban and modern culture by studying such tales.

Many urban legends are framed as complete stories with plot and characters. The teller of an urban legend may

claim it happened to a friend, which serves to personalize, authenticate and enhance the power of the narrative.

Many urban legends depict horrific crimes, contaminated foods or other situations which would affect many

people. The compelling appeal of a typical urban legend is its elements of mystery, horror, fear or humor.

Often they serve as cautionary tales. Some urban legends are morality tales that depict someone, usually a child, acting in a disagreeable manner, only to wind up in trouble, hurt, or dead.

Every country has their own traditions, cultures, history, geography, art, culinary practice, thoughts, expression, language, and so do they have urban legends which have been passed from one to another. This cycle has been continuing for centuries.

Some urban legends are gory and could make even an adult get goosebumps. While some have sweet and delicate backgrounds which we would love or sympathize with. Some legends may be created by people to get the attention of naughty kids to behave themselves or to hide a crime. Nobody knows.....

Who wouldn't love a story which is interesting and worth a discussion?

Bloody Mary

She lived deep in the forest in a tiny cottage and sold herbal remedies for a living. Folks living in the town nearby called her Bloody Mary, and said she was a witch. None dared cross the old crone for fear that their cows would go dry, their food-stores rot away before winter, their children take sick of fever, or any number of terrible things that an angry witch could do to her neighbors.

Then the little girls in the village began to disappear, one by one. No one could find out where they had gone.

Grief-stricken families searched the woods, the local buildings, and all the houses and barns, but there was no sign of the missing girls. A few brave souls even went to Bloody Mary's home in the woods to see if the witch had taken the girls, but she denied any knowledge of the disappearances. Still, it was noted that her haggard appearance had changed. She looked younger, more attractive. The neighbors were suspicious, but they could find no proof that the witch had taken their young ones.

Then came the night when the daughter of the miller rose from her bed and walked outside, following an enchanted sound no one else could hear. The miller's wife had a toothache and was sitting up in the kitchen treating the tooth with a herbal remedy when her daughter left the house. She screamed for her husband and followed the girl out of the door. The miller came running in his nightshirt. Together, they tried to restrain the girl, but she kept breaking away from them and heading out of town.

The desperate cries of the miller and his wife woke the neighbors. They came to assist the frantic couple.

Suddenly, a sharp-eyed farmer gave a shout and pointed towards a strange light at the edge of the woods. A few townsmen followed him out into the field and saw Bloody Mary standing beside a large oak tree, holding a magic wand that was pointed towards the miller's house. She was glowing with an unearthly light as she set her evil spell upon the miller's daughter.

The townsmen grabbed their guns and their pitchforks and ran toward the witch. When she heard the commotion, Bloody Mary broke off her spell and fled back into the woods. The far-sighted farmer had loaded his gun with silver bullets in case the witch ever came after his daughter. Now he took aim and shot at her. The bullet hit Bloody Mary in the hip and she fell to the ground. The angry townsmen leapt upon her and carried her back into the field, where they built a huge bonfire and burned her at the stake.

As she burned, Bloody Mary screamed a curse at the villagers. If anyone mentioned her name aloud before a mirror, she would send her spirit to revenge herself upon them for her terrible death. When she was dead, the villagers went to the house in the wood and found the unmarked graves of the little girls the evil witch had murdered. She had used their blood to make her young again.

From that day to this, anyone foolish enough to chant Bloody Mary's name three times before a darkened mirror will summon the vengeful spirit of the witch. It is said that she will tear their bodies to pieces and rip their souls from their mutilated bodies. The souls of these unfortunate ones will burn in torment as Bloody Mary once was burned, and they will be trapped forever in the mirror.