Zagh

Zagh is a beautiful bird that has the face of a human being.  It is known for its divine intelligence.  Most commonly, the Zagh is associated (and very similar) to the Roc.  The Zagh comes from Islamic literature.

Yaguarogui

Yaguarogui, not a creature you typically hear about.  But once I read more about this fun creature, I decided he was worthy of the A to Z challenge.  :)
Yaguarogui comes from Bolivian myth.  Known as a green tiger who is the cause of eclipses.  This tiger is continuously trying to eat the sun but because of the heat, he ends up spitting each bite right back out. (What I want to know is, how does he get close enough to the sun to bite it?)

Xiang Yao

Xiang Yao is a monster in Chinese Folklore.  Known as a monster with nine human heads and the body of a serpent.  The Xiang Yao sticks close to the black Dragon known as         Gong-Gong.  Together they dung in water sources (ponds, lakes. . .basically bodies of water) creating swamps. (Stinky swamps to be exact).

Whist Hounds

Whist hounds are ghostly hounds.  They are believed to be a form of wild hunters led by the devil. But their leader and chief is in fact Sir Francis Drake.  Whist hounds are also known as Head-less hounds and/or wish hounds.

Valkyrie

Valkyrie are the angels of mythology.  They carry the souls of warriors who died in battle to heaven. (Or. . you know. . .wherever they need to go).  Valkyrie are always female.  Their name comes from the Norse valr which means 'Battlefield-Corpse' and kjosa which means 'To choose'.

(Sorry today's post is super short and super late!)

Unicorn

Unicorns are so well known that I didn't want to write about them as part of my mythical creatures theme for the A to Z challenge. . . that is until I started researching them.  . .

Unicorns are not at all what I believed them to be.  Fun fact:  There is only ever one unicorn in existence at a time.  A whole heard them?  Yeah, not gonna happen.  And each unicorn is different.  There isn't one set of powers for all unicorns.  They don't spit rainbows and eat butterflies.  They aren't sparkly and I really don't think they want you to pet them.  Nope, the closest I have ever seen to a 'real' unicorn in today's fiction is in Reckless by Cornelia Funke. (Note, I haven't read very many books compared to how many are out there. This is just the most recent book I've seen that has gotten close).  The only thing wrong in this book is there are multiple unicorns at once.

Unicorns aren't always white either.  In India they believe the unicorn to be redish brown.  And they aren't always the big beautiful horse like creature.  Unicorns can be as tiny as a human to as big as godzilla.  The biggest difference between what most people see as a Unicorn and the truth that I could find, would be the fact that they aren't cuddly and cute.  They are used as protection.  And if they don't want you getting near what they are protecting, they will kill you.

Trolls

Trolls can be described as tall, short, thin, fat, hairy, ugly, good looking (Okay that one might be a stretch), hairless, dumb, smart, big thugs, smart thinkers.  . . Yeah so pretty much it depends on which myth you are going by.  Different cultures believe different things about different trolls.  If you've seen Harry Potter, you might think all trolls are big, ugly and stupid.  If you have played Skylanders: Spyros Adventures, (Yes I finally played a video game!)  than trolls can appear a little more smart and they have chosen a side!

Trolls are so different between different cultures that seriously no one would know if you created an entire new species of Troll.  There are so many already!

Satyr

Satyrs have the upper body of a human and the lower body of a goat.  Not to be confused with the Faun.  Most people believe that they are the same when in fact, they are not.  It is mostly how they came to be that makes them different but there are many facts that make them different.   For instance, while a faun is born with horns, the Satyr must earn them.
Fauns are known to be gentle, beautiful (or handsome) creatures where as the satyr is known to be clumsy and hideous.

For reference,  Clover from the Percy Jackson series is a Satyr.  Mr. Tumnus from The Chronicles of Narnia is a faun. (Clover may not be the best reference as of he is not particularly hideous.)

Raven

Ravens are tricksters. In both Raven and Human form.  And just to clarify, Ravens can shape shift into humans. Ravens, because of there ability to change form, are often shown as messengers between humans and gods.   Ravens aren't talked about much but if you want to read an amazing book that involves ravens as a main point, Tricksters Choice by Tamora Pierce is a great book!  (This book uses all of the above elements of a Raven that I just described.)

Quail

Quail. . . I'm sure that's not a mythical creature you were expecting. . . .But Quail are known well just as much as a mythical creature as it is a real one.  Many cultures recognize Quail as an important mythical creature and all for different reasons.
In China, Quail is associated with the Phoenix because of its bird form, power and beauty.  In Taoist belief, the Quail is the Yang out of a yin yang.  (I don't know what its Yin would be).  In Japan they believe that the quail is the only bird created on earth, all other birds having descended from heaven.   Quails are believed to give people certain 'lucks' such as good living, and nourishment.

The different cultures named above are very few in comparison to all the many who believe Quail to be a powerful mythical creature.

Phoenix

Phoenix, a beautiful creature of power and light.  Unlike many creatures I have mentioned, the Phoenix is a very wonderful, helpful and noble creature.  In Harry Potter it is a Phoenix that flies down and gives Harry the sorting hat in the second book/movie while he is fighting with the Basilisk. 

When a Phoenix dies, it burst into flames and is then reborn from the ashes.  Phoenix tears heal whatever they touch.  This is one of the many wonderful things about the Phoenix. Not only can this creature heal you, but is also willing and wanting to.  

Orc

Orcs, when most people hear (or read) this word, their thoughts go directly to Lord of the Rings.  Did you know that J.R.R Tolkien didn't create the Orc?
Orcs have been mentioned in earlier writings.  Some say they are of the devil while others have said they are a water creature.  They have been described as a huge mass of armed flesh with teeth.

Norns

Norns (in Norse mythology) are each attached to their own living human child. Their job is to watch over the child's life.  Norns are known as the Guardians of Fate.
Norns have another name as well, (three to be exact). Urd, Verdandi and Skud.  These names mean Past (Urd), Present (Verdandi), and Future ( Skud).

Mermaids (And Merman)

Mermaids are beautiful creatures on the outside.  And while they can be just as beautiful on the inside, for the most part they aren't.  They use their beauty and voice to lure their victims into the water so that they can drown them.  (Very charming, I know).  Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (movie 4) is a wonderful example of the true nature of Mermaids.
Merman are very different on the other hand.  They hardly ever come to shore and prefer to go unseen by human eyes.

Leprechaun

Leprechaun! I bet you're thinking of green, chocolate coins and four leaf clovers!  (And if you weren't before, you are now).  Don't think you're the only one.  Most people don't realize that they're anything more than the face of St. Patricks day.
'Leprechaun' actually means 'Little body'. A lot of times fairies/ fairy godmothers and leprechauns come hand in hand with one another, working together.  My Fair godmother by Janette Rallison is a wonderful example of this. (And it is a book I recommend for EVERYONE!)

Kraken

Kraken, a creature I associate with Pirates of the Caribbean/ Jack Sparrow.
But a mythical creature it is and so it made it on the list.
The Kraken is huge, has a large number of tentacles and fins extending from its body and is also. . . (you guessed it) EVIL!  Its favorite trick is to swim beneath ships and pull them under water!

Jinshin-Mushi

JinShin-Mushi is a (Japanese) Beetle known as the Earthquake beetle.
Although its called a beetle, it has the head of a Dragon, Spider like legs and a scaly body.  Its little nickname 'Earthquake beetle' comes from the fact that is causes earthquakes by shaking it's heavy body.

(And no, I did not just make this creature up!  I know you read this thinking, there is no way that is actually the name of a mythical creature!  :)  Same thing goes for yesterdays creature)

Inugpasugssuk

Inugpasugssuk, yes it is a real mythical creature. . . (wait. . . yeah that makes perfect sense) . . . .Anyway, I decided to turn to a lesser known and more friendly creature.
The Inugpasugssuk is a friendly giant whose so enormous that the lice on him are the size of large rodents!

Large, friendly and has a name you can't pronounce!  What's not to like?

Hippogryph

Hippogriffs (or Hippygryphs) shouldn't exist.  The Hippogriff is the offspring of Griffin and horse.  Why shouldn't they exist?  Griffins feed off of horses.  And yet, here they are! The most commonly known hippogriff of course, would be Buckbeak from Harry Potter.  (I always loved Buckbeak!)
Hippogriffs (from what I have read, I do not know for sure as of I have never played the games) also are in World of Warcraft (WoW) as Flying mounts for hire and also Final Fantasy.

Goblins

Goblins, are also sometimes associated with Fairies.  (I don't know why this would be other than they are both mean little creatures).
Some say that Goblins are also evil. Their name coming from the Greek kobaloi, which means 'Evil spirit'.
This of course makes perfect sense if you think about the goblins working at Gringotts bank in Harry Potter.  How many of those little guys look happy?  How many times is Harry betrayed by a goblin?  (Actually I can only think of the last movie when he is betrayed but that's beside the point. . . )  :)

And to those I said I would try to do Gargoyles for my 'G' post, I am sorry that did not happen.  (I sorta ran out of time and don't have enough information on Gargoyles at the ready to just do a post on them.)  So, I promise that in May, I will write a post all about Gargoyles.

Fairies

Fairies are on of the most misunderstood, and misrepresented creatures of all.  And though not my favorite mythical creature (that would be the Dragon) it was one of the most fun to write about!  Despite popular belief,  Fairies are NOT the sparkly, friendly creatures they are made out to be.

Fairies are Dark, Mean, Evil creatures who love to play tricks on anyone who get's to close.  Confused? Don't be.  Appearing as beautiful friendly creatures is one of their many evil tricks.  Have you ever thought about why Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretel. . and the countless other stories are referred to as Fairy Tales?   Because the original stories, were Dark, Mean, Evil, Gruesome stories.

Now they have been re-written so many times that rarely do people know the true stories, as well as the true nature of Fairies.  Hence the fact that now most people believe fairies to be wonderful, beautiful, kind creatures.

Fairies in general are actually supposed to be very beautiful on the outside.  It is part of their charm.  They make people believe they are beautiful so they can trap them with their ugly hearts.

Fairies are also associated with Brownies which is very funny considering a brownie is nothing like a Fairy at all.  Brownies are actually house elfs.  Yep, house elf, as in Dobby the house elf from Harry Potter.  See?  Nothing at all alike.

Elves

Elves are beautiful human-like creatures. Much like J.R.R Tolkien's elves in the Lord of the Rings series. (Although still not quite exactly like they were originally created)  J.R.R Tolkien's elves are the closest thing to the original I can reference, Santa's little helpers elves being the furthest from their true nature.  Elves are described as light skinned, fine boned, with with silken hair and large eyes.

Aelfsciene, an adjective in Anglo-Saxon, means 'Pretty as an elf'.  Quite the high compliment considering how beautiful elves are said to be.

Dragon

Dragons are my favorite creature of all.  And they are so often misunderstood.  In most cases,  one hears 'Dragon' and they immediately think evil thoughts about the creature.And while there are many myths and legend of evil dragons,  Dragons can also be very good creatures.  Kind, loving and helpful.
There are so many different types of Dragons.  European dragons are my specialty.  But before I talk about that,  I will mention four famous Chinese dragons.  I find their names very interesting.  Four Kings.  And together these four dragon kings control the rain and the seas.

Ao Shun, 

Ao Chin, 

Ao Kuang 

and 

Ao Ping.  

I find this four dragons for interesting because I LOVE rain.

Now moving onto other dragons.  There are many dragon stories and in almost all cases, each individual dragon has it's own power.  It's very own specialty.  There are dragons representing the five elements, dragons representing Light and Dark.  Dragons who rule over your dreams.  The list is never ending.   In almost every one of my novels (I am not published) there is at least one dragon.

The Tigers Curse saga: Tigers Voyage (Book three) there is a dragon for each element. (A great book btw, I recommend for sure!)
Another wonderful book series that involves dragons would be Enchanted Forest Chronicles.  A wonderful series! (And great for all ages!)

Centaur

Centaurs have the lower body of a horse and the upper body of man. Centaurs are known as wild, untamed and brutale.  Hence 'Cento' in the name which means 'to goad' or 'to wound'.

A recent mention of Centaurs acting as such, can be found in Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague (book three).  There are Centaurs in many stories and for the most part, are actually written as they are meant to be.  The Chronicles of Narnia also have Centaurs.  They are battle ready but also angry.

Let's just say, I never want to get on a Centaurs bad side.

Basilisk

 Basilisk , know as King of all Serpents.   The venom of a basilisk can rot fruit and pollute water.  One look into a basilisks eyes and you're dead.  A power shared with Medusa.
The most recent face of the basilisk appears in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.  (The skeleton of the basilisk is shown in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt 2).Other forms of the Basilisk has a human face, a cockerel's head and Dragon wings.

Androsphinx

Androsphinx is the most common of the three Sphinxes.  The Androsphinx  has the body of a lion and a human head.  While it is most commonly a Male, there are female Sphinxes. The  most famous representation of the Androsphinx lies in the shadows of the Great Pyramid and has the head of a man wearing a Pharaonic headdress.  This particular sphinx is said to have a female lion body.  However I have not truly confirmed this fact.

The other two Sphinxes are the Criosphinx which has the head of a horned ram (and of course the body of a lion), and the Hieracosphinx which has the head of a falcon and the body of a lion OR Griffin.