Zaratan, Dijiang and others: 10 mythical characters that different nations believe in (11 photos)

What the most terrible monsters on the planet look like and where they live.





Myths and legends have existed throughout human history. Although many mythological stories can have something in common (for example, there is a certain similarity between the ancient Greek Zeus and the Scandinavian Thor), each nation has its own. There is something surprising in this: ancient people could not explain some natural phenomena and personalized them, turning them into gods and heroes. In the face of the unknown, we were able to populate the world with monsters and spirits of all shapes and sizes.

An artist named Emil is interested in legends of different cultures and draws monsters that you have hardly heard of, but in which people believed (and in some places still believe).

Here is Dijiang, a hero of Chinese mythology: he has no face, but has 4 wings and 6 legs



Tabib Al-Bahr, which lives off the coast of Middle Eastern countries

He is also called the Doctor of the Sea, as this monster is able to heal sick people with his magic stone on his head.





The green monster from Jewish tales, Yedua, which is connected to the earth by a protrusion from the navel



The giant Zaratan from Middle Eastern mythology who pretends to be an island

This creature was described by the Arab scientist Al-Jahiz (VII-VIII centuries AD). Sailors often mistake Zaratan for an island and land on it, only to be drowned by the monster.



Brethmechin from Java

Local residents still talk about meeting this creature, which looks like both a fish and a panther.



Wolpertinger, who lives in the Bavarian forests

By the way, the German beer brand Wolpertinger is named after this horned bunny with fangs.



According to the beliefs of the African Zulu people, the whole world stands on the back of Usilosimapundu.



Nurikabe from Japanese mythology

This yokai (the name given to monsters and magical creatures in Japanese mythology) is a living wall that can get in a person’s way.



Araganaqlta'a - the father of all snakes among the Toba people of South America

A huge snake with a rainbow color and spikes on its sides punishes those who harm nature.



Yamabiko from the Japanese mountains: it is he who answers the person with an echo