Fantasy media Fantastic art Fantasy literature Fantasy authors Fantasy fiction magazines Fantasy art Fantasy films Fantasy operas Genre studies History of fantasy Fantasy subgenres Fantasy themes Quests & Artifacts Fantasy races Fantasy worlds Legendary creatures Fantasy subculture Lovecraftianism Tolkien fan ...

Read more here: » Quest: Encyclopedia - Quest

The unicorn is a legendary creature embodied like a horse, but slender and with a single — usually spiral — horn growing out of its forehead. Though the popular image of the unicorn is that of a white horse differing only in the horn, the traditional unicorn has a billy-goat beard, a lion's tail, and cloven hoofs, which distinguish him from a horse. Interestingly, these modifications make the horned ungulate more realistic, since only cloven-hoofed animals have horns. Marianna Mayer has observed (The Unicorn and the Lake), ...

Including:

• Unicorn - Unicorns in prehistory
• Unicorn - Unicorns in antiquity
• Unicorn - Medieval unicorns
• Unicorn - Heraldry
• Unicorn - Sources of the myth
• Unicorn - Alleged skeletal evidence
• Unicorn - The rhinoceros
• Unicorn - Elasmotherium
• Unicorn - A mutant goat
• Unicorn - The narwhal
• Unicorn - The oryx
• Unicorn - Fiction

Read more here: » Unicorn: Encyclopedia - Unicorn

Fantasy media Fantastic art Fantasy literature Fantasy authors Fantasy fiction magazines Fantasy art Fantasy films Fantasy operas Genre studies History of fantasy Fantasy subgenres Fantasy themes Quests & Artifacts Fantasy races Fantasy worlds Legendary creatures Fantasy subculture Lovecraftianism ...

Including:

• Bangsian fantasy - History
• Bangsian fantasy - Characteristics
• Bangsian fantasy - Works of Bangsian Fantasy

Read more here: » Bangsian fantasy: Encyclopedia - Bangsian fantasy

Fantasy media Fantastic art Fantasy literature Fantasy authors Fantasy fiction magazines Fantasy art Fantasy films Fantasy operas Genre studies History of fantasy Fantasy subgenres Fantasy themes Quests & Artifacts Fantasy races Fantasy worlds Legendary creatures Fantasy subculture Lovecraftianism Tolk ...

Including:

• Dark fantasy - Tending toward horror:
• Dark fantasy - Tending toward fantasy:
• Dark fantasy - Dark Fantasy in other media

Read more here: » Dark fantasy: Encyclopedia - Dark fantasy

In Greek mythology, the Labyrinth was an elaborate maze-like structure constructed for King Minos of Crete and designed by the legendary artificer Daedalus to hold the Minotaur, a creature that was half man and half bull and was eventually killed by the Athenian hero Theseus. Theseus was aided by Ariadne, who provided him with a fateful thread to wind his way back again. The term labyrinth is often used interchangeably with maze, but a maze is a tour puzzle in the form of a complex branching passage, with choices ...

Including:

• Labyrinth - Ancient labyrinths
• Labyrinth - Labyrinth as pattern
• Labyrinth - Modern labyrinths
• Labyrinth - Modern interpretations of the Greek labyrinth
• Labyrinth - Cultural meanings

Read more here: » Labyrinth: Encyclopedia - Labyrinth

A Deep One is a fictional character in the Cthulhu mythos of H.P. Lovecraft. The beings first appeared in Lovecraft's short story "The Shadow Over Innsmouth" (1931). The Deep Ones are a race of frog-like, ocean-dwelling creatures with an affinity for mating with humans. Numerous mythos elements are associated with the Deep Ones, including the legendary town of Innsmouth, the undersea city of Y'ha-nthlei, the Esoteric Order of Dagon, and the beings known as Father Dagon and Mother Hydra. After their debut in Lovecraft's tale, th ...

Including:

• Deep One Cthulhu mythos - Deep Ones in the mythos
• Deep One Cthulhu mythos - Deep One hybrid
• Deep One Cthulhu mythos - Father Dagon and Mother Hydra
• Deep One Cthulhu mythos - Innsmouth
• Deep One Cthulhu mythos - Y'ha-nthlei
• Deep One Cthulhu mythos - Esoteric Order of Dagon
• Deep One Cthulhu mythos - Esoteric Order of Dagon in Media
• Deep One Cthulhu mythos - Movie

Read more here: » Deep One Cthulhu mythos: Encyclopedia - Deep One Cthulhu mythos

Champions of Kamigawa is the name of the Magic: The Gathering expansion set which came out in October of 2004. It contains 306 cards. The set's story is inspired by Japanese myths and revolves around the battle between spirits (kami) and living beings. Most of the cards have Japanese-flavored names. The set's expansion symbol is a torii, the entrance to the Shinto temple. This is especially important, as Kamigawa's original idea was summed up as "Shinto gone ho ...

Including:

• Champions of Kamigawa - Mechanics
• Champions of Kamigawa - Notable cards

Read more here: » Champions of Kamigawa: Encyclopedia - Champions of Kamigawa

The addanc (also called adanc, addane, afanc, avanc, abhac, abac) is a lake monster from Welsh mythology that also appears in Celtic and British folklore. Its exact description varies; it is described alternately as resmbling a crocodile, beaver or dwarf, and is sometimes said to be a demon. The lake in which it dwells also varies; it is variously said to live in Llyn Llion, Llyn Barfog, near Brynberian Bridge or in Llyn yr Afanc, a lake in ...

Read more here: » Addanc: Encyclopedia - Addanc

In Greek and European bestiaries and legends, a basilisk (from the Greek basiliskos, a little king, in Latin Regulus) is a legendary reptile reputed to be king of serpents and said to have the power of causing death by a single glance. According to the Naturalis Historia of Pliny the Elder, the basilisk is a small snake that is so poisonous that it leaves a wide trail of deadly veno ...

Including:

• Basilisk - Usage in market-directed culture and video games
• Basilisk - Basis of the myth
• Basilisk - Links

Read more here: » Basilisk: Encyclopedia - Basilisk

Bahamut (Arabic: بهموت Bahamūt) is originally an aquatic figure of Arabic mythology, though this figure has been significantly altered in the process of modernization. Bahamut is an enormous fish that resides in a vast sea. He supports a huge bull named Kujuta who has four thousand eyes, and the same number of ears, noses, mouths, tongues and feet. Between every one of each is a distance of fiv ...

Read more here: » Bahamut: Encyclopedia - Bahamut

Kobolds are ugly spirits of German folklore. The name comes from the German word kobalt or kobold meaning "evil spirit", and is often translated in English as goblin. The most common version, Heinzelmännchen, is similar to Robin Goodfellow and brownies: as household elves of ambivalent nature, they sometimes perform domestic chores, but play malicious tricks if not appeased (Hinzelmann is a particular example). Kobold is often used in German to translate the wor ...

Including:

• Kobold - Kobolds in fantasy fiction

Read more here: » Kobold: Encyclopedia - Kobold

The ziz is a giant bird in mythology, said to be large enough to be able to block out the sun with its wingspan; perhaps somewhat similar to a roc. According to tradition, the meat of this bird will be served as a meal, along with the behemoth and the leviathan, in the banquet at End Times. The Persian Simurgh, which is arguably a fifth accompaniment to the Kar, the Khara, the Hadhayosh, and another bird, the Chamrosh, has been said to be equated by the rabbis with the ziz, their three future-meal giant animals corresponding to ...

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A Sphinx is an iconic image of a recumbent lion with a human head, invented by the Egyptians of the Old Kingdom, but a cultural import in archaic Greek mythology, where it received its name (Greek Σφινξ, "strangler"). The best known is the Great Sphinx of Giza. Sphinx - Egyptian sphinx. The Egyptian sphinx is an ancient iconic mythical creature usually comprised of a recumbent lion – an animal with sacred solar associations – with a human head, usually that of a pharaoh. Main ...

Including:

• Sphinx - Egyptian sphinx
• Sphinx - Greek Sphinx
• Sphinx - Similar creatures
• Sphinx - Mannerist Sphinx
• Sphinx - 19th century and symbolism

Read more here: » Sphinx: Encyclopedia - Sphinx

Brownies were popularized in the humoristic poems of Canadian artist and author Palmer Cox. By extension, the name of Brownies was given to the junior branch of the Girl Guides (American Girl Scouts). The Cleveland Browns are often called the Brownies by their fans and used a brownie elf as an official mascot from their beginings in 1946 until owner Art Modell phased it out in the mid-1960's. It was revived on a limited basis by the Browns since the team returned in 1999. During the 2004 Season, The Brownie appeared on the Team's sideline ponchos and equipment trunks and there are stories about the Bro ...

See also:

Brownie elf, Brownie elf - Modern culture

Read more here: » Brownie elf: Encyclopedia II - Brownie elf - Modern culture

The tomte was not always a popular figure: Like most creatures of folklore he would be seen as heathen and become connected to the Devil. Farmers believing in the house tomte could be seen as worshipping false gods; in a famous 14th century decree Saint Birgitta warns against the worship of tompta gudhi, "tomte gods". Folklore added other negative beliefs about the tomte, such as that having a tomte on the farm meant you put the fate of your soul at risk, or that you had to perform various non-Ch ...

See also:

Tomte, Tomte - Appearance, Tomte - Temperament, Tomte - The heathen tomte, Tomte - Similar folklore, Tomte - The modern tomte, Tomte - External link

Read more here: » Tomte: Encyclopedia II - Tomte - The heathen tomte

Despite his smallness, the tomte/nisse possessed an immense strength. Even though he was protective and caring he was easy to offend, and his retributions ranged from a stout box on the ears to the killing of livestock or ruining of the farms fortune. The tomte/nisse was a traditionalist who did not like changes in the way things were done at the farm. Another easy way to offend him was rudeness, farm workers swearing or pissing in the barns or not treating the crea ...

See also:

Tomte, Tomte - Appearance, Tomte - Temperament, Tomte - The heathen tomte, Tomte - Similar folklore, Tomte - The modern tomte, Tomte - External link

Read more here: » Tomte: Encyclopedia II - Tomte - Temperament

The tomte/nisse shares many aspects with other Scandinavian wights, such as the Swedish vättar or the Norwegian tusser. These beings are social, however, whereas the tomte is always solitary. Some synonyms of tomte include gårdbo (yard-dweller) and gardvor (yard-warden, see vörðr). The tomte could also take a ship for his home, and was then known as a skeppstomte/skibsnisse. In other European folklore, there are many beings similar to the tomte, such as the Scots brownie, the German Wichtelmann or the Russian domovoi. The Finnish word ...

See also:

Tomte, Tomte - Appearance, Tomte - Temperament, Tomte - The heathen tomte, Tomte - Similar folklore, Tomte - The modern tomte, Tomte - External link

Read more here: » Tomte: Encyclopedia II - Tomte - Similar folklore

In the 1840's the farm's "nisse" became the bearer of Christmas presents in Denmark, and was then called "julenisse". In 1881, the Swedish magazine Ny Illustrerad Tidning published Viktor Rydberg's poem Tomten, where the tomte is alone awake in the cold Christmas night, pondering the mysteries of life and death. This poem featured the first painting by Jenny Nyström of this traditional Swedish mythical character which she turned into the white-bearded, red-capped friendly figure associated with Christmas ever since. Shortly af ...

See also:

Tomte, Tomte - Appearance, Tomte - Temperament, Tomte - The heathen tomte, Tomte - Similar folklore, Tomte - The modern tomte, Tomte - External link

Read more here: » Tomte: Encyclopedia II - Tomte - The modern tomte

While many cryptozoologists strive for legitimacy and some are respected scientists in other fields, and though discoveries of previously unknown animals are often subject to great attention, cryptozoology per se has never been fully embraced by the scientific community. A cryptozoologist may propose that an interest reports of animals does not entail belief, but a detractor might counter ...

See also:

Cryptozoology, Cryptozoology - Justifications for cryptozoology, Cryptozoology - Criticism of cryptozoology, Cryptozoology - Notable cryptids, Cryptozoology - Primates and hominids, Cryptozoology - Bipedal monsters, Cryptozoology - Carnivorous mammals, Cryptozoology - Herbivorous mammals, Cryptozoology - Sea and lake monsters, Cryptozoology - Reptiles, Cryptozoology - Birds, Cryptozoology - Marsupials, Cryptozoology - Amphibians, Cryptozoology - Others, Cryptozoology - General terms for cryptids, Cryptozoology - Bodies of water in which water monsters are said to live, Cryptozoology - Lists of cryptids, Cryptozoology - Sources

Read more here: » Cryptozoology: Encyclopedia II - Cryptozoology - Criticism of cryptozoology

(Creatures which are known to have existed and are presumed extinct are in bold.) Cryptozoology - Primates and hominids. Almas Biabin-guli Bigfoot (also known as Sasquatch) Brenin Llwyd Bili Ape Fear liath Gin-Sung Hibagon Humanzee Kaptar Kikombo Loys's Ape Mecheny Minnesota Iceman Mirygdy Moehau Mono Grande Napes (North American Apes) See also:

Cryptozoology, Cryptozoology - Justifications for cryptozoology, Cryptozoology - Criticism of cryptozoology, Cryptozoology - Notable cryptids, Cryptozoology - Primates and hominids, Cryptozoology - Bipedal monsters, Cryptozoology - Carnivorous mammals, Cryptozoology - Herbivorous mammals, Cryptozoology - Sea and lake monsters, Cryptozoology - Reptiles, Cryptozoology - Birds, Cryptozoology - Marsupials, Cryptozoology - Amphibians, Cryptozoology - Others, Cryptozoology - General terms for cryptids, Cryptozoology - Bodies of water in which water monsters are said to live, Cryptozoology - Lists of cryptids, Cryptozoology - Sources

Read more here: » Cryptozoology: Encyclopedia II - Cryptozoology - Notable cryptids

Scientists have demonstrated that some creatures of mythology, legend or local folklore were rooted in real animals or phenomena. Thus, cryptozoologists hold that people should be open to the possibility that many more such animals exist. In the early days of western exploration of the world, many native tales of unknown animals were initially dismissed as mythology or superstition by western scientis ...

See also:

Cryptozoology, Cryptozoology - Justifications for cryptozoology, Cryptozoology - Criticism of cryptozoology, Cryptozoology - Notable cryptids, Cryptozoology - Primates and hominids, Cryptozoology - Bipedal monsters, Cryptozoology - Carnivorous mammals, Cryptozoology - Herbivorous mammals, Cryptozoology - Sea and lake monsters, Cryptozoology - Reptiles, Cryptozoology - Birds, Cryptozoology - Marsupials, Cryptozoology - Amphibians, Cryptozoology - Others, Cryptozoology - General terms for cryptids, Cryptozoology - Bodies of water in which water monsters are said to live, Cryptozoology - Lists of cryptids, Cryptozoology - Sources

Read more here: » Cryptozoology: Encyclopedia II - Cryptozoology - Justifications for cryptozoology