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13 Bizarre Types of Supernatural Beings
The world of mythology is home to countless types of supernatural beings that go beyond the ordinary, bringing a mix of fear, wonder, and fascination. These entities can range from spirits and shapeshifters to mythical hybrids and eerie creatures, each with unique traits that reflect the beliefs and superstitions of the cultures they come from.
Often blending the mystical with the bizarre, these supernatural beings have been passed down through generations, offering cautionary tales, protection, or mystery. In this list, we’ll explore 13 of the weirdest types of supernatural beings from global folklore, highlighting their strange abilities, origins, and the legends that make them unforgettable. Whether rooted in myths or surrounded by superstitions, these creatures are sure to intrigue anyone interested in the paranormal.
1. The Aswang (Philippines)
The Aswang is a shapeshifting, creature from Filipino folklore that can alternate between human and monstrous forms such as Vampires, Ghouls, and Witches. It is known for its bizarre ability to transform into various animals (like dogs or bats) and often preys on pregnant women, using a long, proboscis-like tongue to suck the blood of the unborn. The Aswang is deeply feared in the Philippines, blending elements of a witch, vampire, and werewolf, depending on the region.
2. The Wendigo (Algonquian Tribes)
The Wendigo is a spirit from the folklore of the Algonquian-speaking tribes in North America, known for its insatiable hunger for human flesh. Described as a gaunt, emaciated creature with sharp teeth, the Wendigo is said to possess people, driving them to acts of cannibalism. The creature embodies greed and hunger, becoming more powerful as it consumes more, making it one of the most chilling beings in North American myth.
3. The Yara-ma-yha-who (Australian Aboriginal Mythology)
The Yara-ma-yha-who is a small, red, frog-like creature from Australian Aboriginal mythology. It waits in fig trees, dropping down on unsuspecting travelers to drain their blood through its sucker-like fingers. What makes it truly bizarre is that it doesn’t kill its victims outright; instead, it swallows them, vomits them up, and then repeats the process, shrinking them slightly each time until they transform into a Yara-ma-yha-who themselves.
4. The Encantado (Amazonian Folklore)
Encantados are shapeshifting beings from Brazilian and Amazonian folklore, said to be dolphin spirits that can turn into humans. They are known for their ability to seduce people, often at night, taking the form of handsome men or beautiful women. These beings are thought to come from an underwater realm and are both revered and feared. Despite their charm, they are capable of bewitching humans and taking them back to their aquatic homes.
5. The Manananggal (Philippines)
The Manananggal is a vampiric being that appears as a beautiful woman by day, but at night, it detaches its upper body from its lower half and sprouts bat-like wings to fly in search of prey. Known for preying on pregnant women and sucking the blood of unborn babies, the Manananggal is one of the most feared creatures in Filipino folklore. Its strange ability to split itself in half makes it particularly unique among other supernatural beings.
6. The Kappa (Japanese Folklore)
Kappa are water creatures from Japanese folklore, often depicted as child-sized beings with a bowl-like depression on their heads that holds water, which gives them their strength. They have webbed hands and feet, and their skin is usually green and scaly. Kappa are known for their mischievous behavior, ranging from playing pranks to drowning humans. However, they are also sticklers for politeness; if you bow to a Kappa, it will bow back, spilling the water on its head and losing its power.
7. The Penanggalan (Malay Folklore)
The Penanggalan is a female vampire from Malay folklore that detaches her head from her body, letting her organs dangle below it as she flies around in search of blood. Often appearing as a normal woman during the day, the Penanggalan transforms at night to hunt for victims, particularly targeting pregnant women and newborns. Her ability to separate from her body makes her one of the strangest supernatural beings in Southeast Asian myth.
8. The Banshee (Irish Folklore)
In Irish folklore, the Banshee is a wailing female spirit who appears to foretell death. Often described as a woman with long, flowing hair and a mournful, shrill cry, she may take on different forms, from a young maiden to an old hag. While not inherently evil, the Banshee’s eerie, ghostly presence and haunting wails make her a terrifying harbinger of doom for those who hear her.
9. The Jiangshi (Chinese Folklore)
Jiangshi, also known as “hopping vampires,” are reanimated corpses from Chinese folklore. These creatures move by hopping with their arms outstretched and feed on the life force of the living. They are usually depicted as stiff, pale beings with greenish or decaying skin. The Jiangshi are vulnerable to certain rituals and symbols, such as mirrors and rice, making them a unique and unusual version of the traditional vampire.
10. The Dullahan (Irish Folklore)
The Dullahan is a headless horseman from Irish myth, often seen riding a black horse and carrying his own head under his arm. He uses a whip made from a human spine and is said to be a harbinger of death. The Dullahan calls out the name of those who are about to die, and it is believed that when he stops riding, someone nearby will perish. His eerie appearance and ominous presence make him a chilling figure in folklore.
11. The Tikbalang (Philippine Folklore)
The Tikbalang is a humanoid creature with the head of a horse, often said to live in mountainous or forested areas of the Philippines. It is known for leading travelers astray, causing them to get lost no matter how familiar they are with the path. The Tikbalang has long legs and a trickster-like nature, sometimes said to play pranks on those who venture too deep into its domain, making it both feared and revered.
12. The Aqrabuamelu (Mesopotamian Mythology)
The Aqrabuamelu, or scorpion men, are mythological beings from ancient Mesopotamia, depicted with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a scorpion. They were guardians of the gods and were said to protect the gates of the underworld. These beings are fierce and formidable, often appearing in tales as protectors who ward off evil spirits, and their bizarre, hybrid appearance has fascinated historians for centuries.
13. The Chonchon (Chilean Folklore)
The Chonchon is a creature from Chilean and Mapuche folklore, described as a disembodied head with large ears that it uses to fly. According to legend, the Chonchon is created when a powerful sorcerer undergoes a transformation, and it flies at night, shrieking as it passes through the air. The sound of a Chonchon’s cry is said to be an omen of death, making it a truly bizarre and unsettling creature in South American myth.
Conclusion
From shapeshifters and vampiric creatures to mystical spirits and eerie hybrids, these types of supernatural beings from global folklore are as diverse as they are bizarre. Each one offers a unique glimpse into the cultural myths and superstitions that have shaped their stories, reflecting the fears, beliefs, and imaginations of the people who created them.
Whether they act as protectors, tricksters, or harbingers of doom, these supernatural beings continue to captivate and intrigue us, reminding us of the enduring power of myth and the unknown. If you’re fascinated by the strange and mystical, these legendary creatures are sure to add a touch of the supernatural to your world.