Aatxe is a Basque spirit known as the 'Young Bull' who emerges from caves during stormy nights to punish the malevolent. Manifesting primarily as a red bull and occasionally as a human, it serves as a supernatural enforcer of moral order. Associated with the goddess Mari, Aatxe is deeply rooted in ancient Basque mythology with Paleolithic origins.

Aatxe

Äbädä is an innocent forest spirit from Turkic mythology, known for his unique appearance and ability to shapeshift. He protects the flora and fauna of the forest with a mix of benevolence and mischief. His bizarre traits, including blue skin, great horns, and backwards shoes, serve as both a warning and a symbol of forest mastery.

Äbädä

Abumi-guchi is a peculiar Japanese yōkai known for its stirrup-shaped mouth and furry appearance. Illustrated in Sekien Toriyama's Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro, it embodies the enigmatic charm of Edo period monster lore. Little else is documented about its behaviour or capabilities, adding to its mysterious allure.

Abumi-guchi

Abura-akago is a Japanese yōkai that manifests as both a flame and an infant ghost. It is famed for its behaviour of licking oil from lanterns, earning it the name 'oil baby.' Emerging from Edo period folklore, it serves as a mysterious and cautionary spirit in Japanese culture.

Abura-akago

Adaro are dual-natured beings in Makira Island mythology, manifesting as both ghostly entities capable of possession and as elemental spirits integral to creation myths. They can inhabit animals, trees, stones, or remain in their native villages, and can be commanded to cause harm from afar. Their dual roles reflect the complex interplay of destruction and creation in Melanesian spiritual belief.

Adaro (mythology)

Adhene are Manx fairies known as the Children of Pride, believed to be fallen angels with a mischievous streak. They appear as small, child-like beings and interact with the natural world through fishing and cattle herding. Their presence is often seen as an omen of abundance in harvests and fishing.

Adhene

The Adroanzi are guardian and nature spirits from Lugbara mythology known for their dual appearance as small humanoids or water snakes. They serve as protectors of the dead and natural sites, following travelers by night. While generally benevolent when undisturbed, they exact deadly retribution on those who break the sacred rules of engagement.

Adroanzi

Aegipan is a late-origin Greek mythological deity known for his goat-like, hybrid appearance. Often associated with Pan, he embodies the spirit of wild nature. His imagery and attributes highlight the fusion of human and animal qualities in ancient myth.

Aegipan

Agadzagadza is a trickster figure from the Bura mythology of Nigeria, depicted as a male agama lizard. He plays a crucial role in explaining the origin of death in his culture. His cunning and deceptive nature embodies the archetypal trickster in West African folklore.

Agadzagadza

Aitu are Polynesian spirits and lesser deities often associated with malevolence and misfortune. They manifest variably, sometimes appearing as ghostly figures, animals, or even as ancestral tribes. Their multifaceted roles reflect the complex cultural tapestry of Polynesian mythology, spanning both protective and destructive influences.

Aitu

Akhlut is an orca-wolf hybrid from Inuit folklore, known for its ability to transform between a marine and a terrestrial form. In water, it mirrors the grace of an orca, while on land, it takes on the fierce appearance of a wolf. This duality symbolises the interconnectedness of nature in the harsh Arctic environment.

Akhlut

Al-Jinn refers to the collective group of jinn in Islamic tradition, supernatural beings created from smokeless fire. They are known for their invisibility, shape-shifting abilities, and enigmatic nature. Their mention in the Quran highlights their unique role in the cosmic order.

Al-Jinn

Aloja is a feminine water spirit from Catalan mythology known for inhabiting freshwater areas and for her ability to transform into water blackbirds. Also known as dona d'aigua, goja, or paitida, she embodies the mystique of natural water bodies. Her shape-shifting power and deep association with water make her a unique figure in Catalan folklore.

Aloja (mythology)

Alukah is a demonic, blood-feeding creature from Hebrew folklore. She is known for her ability to shapeshift into a wolf and fly by releasing her long hair. Her presence in ancient texts symbolizes a dangerous fusion of human and supernatural forces.

Alukah

Amaguq is a trickster wolf spirit from Inuit mythology, renowned for his shape-shifting abilities and cunning nature. He embodies both the wild physical traits of the wolf and the elusive qualities of the spirit realm. His myth serves as a reminder of nature’s unpredictable and transformative power.

Amaguq

Amanojaku is a demon-like creature from Japanese folklore known for its contrarian and mischievous nature. It is a small, shape-shifting yōkai that provokes individuals to act against their true intentions. This supernatural being embodies malevolence and serves as a cautionary symbol of the darker aspects of human nature.

Amanojaku

Amanozako is a monstrous Japanese goddess born from Susanoo's ferocious spirit, also known as Tengu Kami. She embodies wild, untamed divine energy and possesses attributes such as flight, immortality, super strength, and shape-shifting. Residing in heaven among the 8 million gods, her nature is both divine and chaotic.

Amanozako

Amethyste is a mythological nymph from Greek lore, renowned for her unique transformation into the amethyst gemstone. The goddess Artemis (also known as Diana) transformed her to save her from the unwanted advances of Dionysus. Although widely circulated in later accounts, the tale is not attested in any ancient sources.

Amethyste

The Amikuk is a fearsome shapeshifter from Yup'ik legend that inhabits the earth, sea, and ice. It adopts diverse forms ranging from a four-armed, hairless sea creature with leathery skin to a human guise known as Qamungelriit. Known for its aggressive ambush tactics and eerie multiplication when shot, the creature serves as a cautionary symbol in Yup'ik culture.

Amikuk

Anchanchu is a fearsome demon from Aymara mythology known for haunting dark, isolated locales and manifesting as both a red dog and a bald, pudgy older man. He serves as a supernatural gatekeeper over precious minerals, enforcing a strict ritual for access. His chilling nocturnal appearances instill terror among those who dare to traverse the Andean wilds after midnight.

Creatures with Shape-Shifters