Used for questions pertaining or related to non-human creatures in Mythology and Folklore that may or may not be based on real animals.
Questions tagged [monsters]
27 questions
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2 answers
Are there any beasts/creatures that "feed on" grief or regrets?
I'm interested in knowing if there are any creatures, monsters, spirits, etc that feed on negative human emotions- specifically grief and regret. Alternately, anything that is specifically attracted to these emotions would also be of interest to me.…
Jessie
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Where did the various artistic depictions of the Chimera originate?
I wasn't sure whether to ask this in history as it relates to art history, but the Chimera's appearance varies considerably in art throughout history. Designs vary in the proportion of lion, goat and snake. Some designs include a dragon. At least…
Anonymous
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What's the earliest recorded story of a human woman giving birth to a monster?
In Greek mythology, a human woman gave birth to the Minotaur, a "monster".
I know timelines get fuzzy with mythology, but are there any other instances of a human woman giving birth to a "monster" that predate the Minotaur myth? In any…
miltonaut
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How did Hades get Kerberos?
Kerberos (Latin: Cerberus) is the three headed dog that guards the entrance of the Underworld. He is most known for being captured by Heracles for his 12th labor. But it is never mentioned how Kerberos ended up guarding the Underworld.
Andrew Johnson
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Did the manticore always have a human head?
I am not very fond of depictions of manticores with a human head or face. Did the manticore always have a human head, or is it an influence from the sphinx, or some other monster?
Nuloen The Seeker
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Why do so many cultures have monsters that prey on families?
While researching La Llorona and vampiresses, I noticed that lots of cultures have predominantly female monsters that use deception to prey on families. Lamia that prey on young men and children, deer women that seduce and kill young men, incubi…
Anonymous
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Was Charybdis always a monster?
Charybdis, and its counterpart Scylla were two monsters in the Odyssey. However, according to Ovid's Metamorphoses, Scylla was once a nymph.
"... had she not been transformed before they came into a reef whose rocks rise up today, and sailors shun…
tox123
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Does Medusa's head turn one's clothing to stone together with its wearer?
Medusa and her two triplet Gorgon sisters, Sthenno and Euryale, are monsters from Greek and Roman mythology notorious for their ability to turn whoever looked upon them (or directly into their faces) into stone.
Is there any ancient (or even…
Adinkra
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A monster made of many insects
The concept of a monster that presents as a single entity, but is composed of a multitude of worms, bugs, or insects can be found in many media. Examples of this type of monster include The Nightmare Before Christmas's Oogie Boogie, Buffy the…
jdobres
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Why should glass harm a fext?
Why should glass bullets and other odd items (usually not used as ammunition) harm a fext?
A fext is a revenant that is impervious to most damage, superman style, but glass it its kryptonite, why?
Nuloen The Seeker
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What creatures eat a humans life force?
Are there any creatures that eat, or drain a human's life force? Have tried googling but am not sure which creatures do.
Joshua Bennett
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Need help identifying creature or character
I need help to find the creature or character or tale or whatever linked to the following description:
Have a connection:
With dreams, like maybe as a bridge.
With secrets or maybe contracts? Or the notion of using words with intentions.
With…
user7715
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Who/What parented the Stymphalian birds?
Getting rid of the Stymphalian Birds is Heracles's sixth labor. The Stymphalian Birds are man-eating birds with beaks of bronze, sharp metallic feathers they could launch at their victims, and poisonous dung. Their beak could pierce any armor,…
Andrew Johnson
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Earliest legend of someone being turned into an animal/monster?
What is the earliest legend we know of, that involves someone (named or otherwise) being turned into an animal, or some terrible monster? This includes turning someone's unborn child into a monster, like the legend of the minotaur.
Johnny
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Where can I find a detailed description of the Akuma?
I've been trying to find information on the Akuma, the fire demon of Japanese folklore, for a manga I'm writing. But all of the sources I went to didn't provide enough detail. And I fear that without the knowledge I need, my depiction won't be as…
JeremiahTDK
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