Our world is filled with difficult realities and relationships that we don’t always know how to handle. However, in the midst of the darkness that we often believe surrounds us, there are hidden fantasies and beliefs that make up the most beautiful cultures and traditions around the world. This is the reason why, with the passage of time, our collective imagination has been filled with creatures, myths and legends that strengthen our history and that, without knowing it, accompany us from the first days of life. In this article we will present you some of the most incredible beings (although we do not know if they are real), that is, fantastic and mythological creatures that you should know.
Welcome to a world where reality is transformed! Discover fantastic and mythological creatures
In this section you will immerse yourself in a world full of magic, imagination and a lot of fun. Here the animals are different, there will be creatures you have never seen and stories so surprising that they will be difficult to believe. But all of them are the essence of the most wonderful and important traditions. Do you want to know fantastic and mythological creatures? Stay with us!
1. Orcs
Orcs have their origins in Celtic mythology and their name comes from Old English. They were created to look for a culprit when strange events occurred in the forests that ended in a bloodbath and death. In Spanish, the orc corresponds to the «ogre.»
They are usually represented as greenish anthropomorphic monsters and stronger than humans. They have very primitive language and intelligence, as well as their behavior, which is why they are also often portrayed as being dumb and clumsy. Likewise, it is said that their food and hygiene is poor. They live in groups in which the strongest is always the boss.
These first of the fantastic and mythological creatures are brutal beings, who are generally immersed in fights and looting for food.
2. Basilisk
Another of the most recognized fantastic and mythological creatures, especially for its appearance in the Harry Potter saga, is the basilisk. This creature is typical of Roman and Greek mythology and He is characterized by being able to kill with his gaze. It is considered the king of snakes and is born from the egg of a snake incubated by a rooster; this causes him to be represented as half bird, half snake.
3. Goblins
We find the term goblin already in English in the 14th century. It is usually translated as elf, but it has some connotations that this one does not have. The goblin is a small being, like a dwarf, and can wield magic on a small scale. They are nomadic and live among rocks or tree roots.
In current literature, a goblin would be a being of the same gender as orcs but very small. He is at their service and lives off what they throw away.
4. Canserbero
Have you heard about the dog that guards the gates of hell? He is the fantastic Cancerberus, part of Greek mythology. The dog of the god Hades, according to common tradition, It has three heads and a snake instead of one. The duty of this creature was to guide the entrance to the kingdom of the dead, as well as prevent those who were already inside from escaping. It is also one of the most recognized fantastic and mythological creatures.
5. Gremlins
Gremlins are fundamentally evil little beings. They have been known in English popular tradition since the 15th century. Its name may come from the old English word «gremian», which means to annoy or also from a Gaelic word «gruaimin» which means small and bad-tempered.
Curiously, during the Second World War the figure of gremlins became very popular, because all the inexplicable accidents were blamed on them that British aircraft suffered. It was said that they manipulated their machinery.
6. Unicorns
We continue our list of fantastic and mythological creatures with the always famous and beloved unicorns. This is the protagonist of hundreds of stories and legends that travel throughout the territories, especially those in Europe.
Throughout history, these curious animals have been represented in at least two ways: in principle, they were white horses, with goat horns, a beard and a horn on their forehead; instead, In modern representations they are normal horses, with the only difference being the horn on the forehead.
These creatures represent purity and beauty.
7. Dragons
Another of the fantastic creatures that, in this case, is one of the most feared. In stories and legends, These immense animals, in addition to flying, spit fire. This legendary being is represented as a source of power, generally in the form of a snake or other reptile, and has all kinds of magical and spiritual qualities. For this reason, he is a protagonist of traditions and cultures, both from the Eastern and Western world.
Dragons have been represented in many ways and types, such as wyverns, hydras or European dragons.
8. Elves
Finally, and to finish with some positive beings, we will look at the elves. These creatures come from Norse mythology and are magical, beautiful and young beings, practically immortal.
His powers always have to do with nature and, according to Scandinavian belief, interbreeding between elves and humans is possible. There are even mentions of men who have become elves when they die.
There are many more fantastic beings that have passed from popular tradition to literature: fairies, gnomes, fauns… and all of them populate the novels that make our imagination fly. Therefore, we want to ask you: which of these creatures caught your attention the most? Which other one do you know that you think should be part of this list?