The Akathaso are Burmese nats renowned as guardian spirits of the sky. They inhabit the treetops of Myanmar’s forests, overseeing the realm above. As part of a triad with Thitpin Saunt Nat and Myay Saunt Nat, they symbolically represent the harmony of nature’s different layers.

Akathaso

Amay Gyan is a revered Burmese nat and one of the five mother nats. She is celebrated annually during a festival in Ayegyigon, Mandalay Region. Her enduring spiritual presence embodies maternal protection and deep cultural significance in Burmese folklore.

Amay Gyan

Amay Yay Yin, also known as Yayin Kadaw and Anauk Medaw, is a revered Burmese nat and goddess associated with water. She uniquely attained divinity without the violent demise that befell other nats. Her nurturing and maternal qualities make her a central figure in Burmese nat worship.

Amay Yay Yin

Antaboga is an ancient serpent deity venerated in the mythologies of Java, Sunda, and Bali. Depicted as a colossal dragon snake, it symbolises the cosmic forces of nature and fertility. Its divine attributes and formidable presence serve as a guardian of natural order.

Antaboga

Apsonsi is a half-woman half-lion mythical creature from Thai mythology, renowned as a guardian figure. She embodies a unique blend of divine beauty and ferocious animal strength, emerging from the union of an Apsara and a lion. Statues of Apsonsi stand sentinel at sacred sites such as Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok.

Apsonsi

Âu Cơ is an immortal mountain snow goddess from the Vietnamese creation myth. She is celebrated as the progenitor of the Vietnamese people through her union with Lạc Long Quân. Her legacy as a nurturing mother underpins her revered status in Vietnamese culture.

Âu Cơ

Aungzwamagyi, also known as Bo Aung Zwa, is one of the 37 revered nats in Burmese mythology, embodying the spirit of a deified military commander and assassin. He is traditionally depicted seated on a throne while playing a harp, adorned with a distinctive headdress and sash. His legend encapsulates themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the harsh realities of royal intrigue in Pagan-era Myanmar.

Aungzwamagyi

Babi ngepet is a notorious boar demon from Indonesian folklore, recognized for its eerie transformation abilities and nocturnal mischief. It appears as a boar with demonic features like glowing eyes and sharp tusks. The creature embodies a cautionary tale warning against the perils of delving into occult practices.

Babi ngepet

Barong is a panther-like creature in Balinese mythology who embodies the forces of good. He is revered as the king of the spirits and is known for his eternal battle against the demon queen Rangda. His portrayal in traditional dance highlights the cosmic struggle between good and evil.

Barong (mythology)

Batara Kala is the Javanese and Balinese god of death, time, and creation. He rules over the realm of death from a cave alongside Setesuyara. Notoriously, he devours unlucky souls, symbolising the inevitable passage of time and fate.

Batara Kala

Bhummaso, also known as Myay Saunt Nat, are Burmese guardian spirits of the earth. They dwell in the roots of ancient trees, protecting the natural world. As part of a triad with Thitpin Saunt Nat and Akathaso, they symbolize the harmonious balance of earth, tree, and sky.

Bhummaso

Bo Bo Gyi is a revered guardian deity prominently venerated at Burmese Buddhist temples and pagodas. He is depicted as a nearly life-sized elderly man donned in a curved cap and often carrying a cane, symbolising wisdom and venerability. His iconic pointing gesture, linked to the legend of Shwedagon Pagoda, is believed to bestow blessings and good fortune upon worshippers.

Bo Bo Gyi

The Bukit Timah Monkey Man is a legendary, hominid-like cryptid said to inhabit the forested Bukit Timah region of Singapore. It is characterised by its greyish appearance and bipedal gait. It is also reputed to be immortal, contributing to its mysterious status in local folklore.

Bukit Timah Monkey Man

Cha kla is a ghostly entity from Thai folklore that appears in the form of a cat or wild cat. It is used by sorcerers to attack their enemies through supernatural means. Combining a feline guise with malevolent spiritual power, Cha kla embodies the dark side of Thai sorcery.

Cha kla

Druk, the Thunder Dragon, is a mythological creature from Tibetan and Bhutanese traditions. As Bhutan's national symbol, it embodies divine power, wealth, and the awe of thunder. Its image, featured on the flag of Bhutan, represents the cultural and spiritual identity of the nation.

Druk

Gajamina is a unique mythological figure from Bali, Indonesia, featuring the head of an elephant and the body of a fish. It is prominently used in the design of patulangan sarcophagi, reflecting its cultural and funerary significance. This composite creature symbolises a blend of strength and adaptability within Balinese clan traditions.

Gajamina

Hantu Air is a Malay water spirit inhabiting rivers, lakes, and seas. It is an invisible entity that can influence water bodies, causing floods and drownings. Although communication with Hantu Air can be positive, it is often associated with ominous events.

Hantu Air

Hantu Bongkok, also known as Nenek Bongkok, is a mythological evil spirit from Palembang, South Sumatra. This bloodthirsty ghost is renowned for her distinct humpbacked appearance and malevolent nature. Representing an ancient cautionary figure, she predated the colonial era and continues to imprint local folklore.

Hantu Bongkok

Hantu Raya is a powerful familiar spirit from Malay folklore known as the 'great ghost'. It appears in a humanoid form with distinct features such as a black hairy body, rough grey skin, long sharp teeth, and red eyes. It serves as a double for black magic practitioners, bestowing great power upon its master.

Hantu Raya

Hantu is a term used in Malay and Indonesian folklore to describe a ghost or spirit. It encompasses a range of supernatural entities from ancestral souls to nature spirits. Its presence reflects deep-seated animistic traditions and cultural interpretations of the afterlife in the region.

Southeast Asian Creatures