The Lernaean Hydra is a serpentine, multi-headed monster from Greek and Roman mythology. It is notorious for its poisonous breath and regenerative ability, where severed heads regrow twofold. Killed by Heracles during his Twelve Labours, the Hydra remains an enduring symbol of regrowth and deadly challenge.

Lernaean Hydra

Ljubi, also known as Lubia, is a fearsome water and storm demon from Albanian mythology. Depicted as a huge multi-headed female serpentine dragon, she embodies the raw fury of turbulent seas and violent storms. Her disturbingly enormous appetite and eerie personality underscore her role as a personification of nature’s chaotic power.

Ljubi

Lotan is an ancient Ugaritic sea serpent whose name means 'coiled'. Serving the sea god Yam, he is famously defeated by the storm god Hadad-Baʿal in the Baal Cycle. His legacy endures through later mythological representations, including the biblical Leviathan.

Lotan

Matarajin is a Buddhist god venerated in the Tendai school of Japanese Buddhism. Originally a wrathful deity obstructing rebirth in the pure land, he later became celebrated as a protector of adherents and the performing arts. His diverse iconography, ranging from a multi-headed, multi-armed figure to a jovial, aristocratic elder, reflects his dual nature as both a god of obstacles and a guardian of destiny.

Matarajin

Menreiki is a supernatural monster from Japanese folklore, composed entirely of ancient Gigaku masks. It appears in the 1781 compendium Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro and is linked to the era of Prince Shotoku. Its enigmatic form and composite nature reflect the cultural significance of masks in ancient Japanese performing arts.

Menreiki

Mušmaḫḫū is most famously known as a seven-headed serpent, but in some contexts—especially in art and in the broader tradition of Mesopotamian monsters—it can have a hybrid appearance, combining serpent, lion, and bird features.

Mušmaḫḫū

The nine-headed bird is an ancient mythological avian creature from Hubei, China. Revered as an early form of the fenghuang, it served as a totem for the Chu people during the Warring States period. Over time, political conflicts led to its demonisation, and its name became a derogatory term in modern usage.

Nine-headed bird

Orthrus is a fearsome two-headed dog from Greek mythology, renowned for guarding Geryon's cattle and confronting Heracles.

Orthrus

Pashupati is a revered form of the Hindu deity Shiva, depicted as a five-faced guardian of all creatures. He is venerated as the protector of animals and the guardian deity of Nepal. His image represents divine benevolence, cosmic balance, and the sanctity of nature.

Pashupati

Scylla is a fearsome sea monster from Greek mythology, renowned for her multiple heads and savage appetite for sailors. She inhabits a rocky outcrop along a narrow strait, posing a deadly threat to passing ships. Her origin as a transformed nymph underscores the tragic interplay of beauty and curse in ancient lore.

Scylla

The Seven-headed Serpent is a fearsome mythological creature from Sumerian religion known for its deadly seven heads. It was defeated by the god Ninurta in a legendary battle in ancient Iraq. Its body was displayed on Ninurta's chariot as a symbol of divine victory over chaos.

Seven-headed serpent

The Sisiutl is a legendary double-headed sea serpent from the Indigenous cultures of the Pacific Northwest. It is featured prominently in Pacific Northwest art and is revered for its role as a mediator between the natural and supernatural worlds. The creature is closely linked to shamanic practices and holds significant cultural symbolism.

Sisiutl

Svetovit is a Slavic god of abundance and war, revered as the chief deity of the Polabian Slavs. His cult was centred at Cape Arkona on the island of Rügen, where a magnificent four-headed statue represented him. Celebrated through an annual harvest festival, his divine influence combined martial might with fertility and prosperity.

Svetovit

Teju Jagua is a huge, cursed lizard-monster from Guaraní mythology, renowned for his multiple dog-heads and fiery eyes. Despite a fearsome, deformed appearance, he is rendered calm and harmless through divine influence. As the lord of the caves, he serves as a protector of fruit and buried treasure.

Teju Jagua

The triple-headed eagle is a mythological and heraldic bird distinguished by its three heads. It appears in various cultural narratives from apocryphal texts to medieval heraldry, symbolising power and unity. Its unique form has made it a lasting emblem in both European and Northern Asian traditions.

Triple-headed eagle

Trisiras, also known as Vishvarupa, is a three‐headed divine figure in Vedic mythology. He is the son of the craftsman god Tvashta and is distinguished by his unique anatomy. His death at the hands of Indra set the stage for a significant mythological conflict.

Trisiras

Uchchaihshravas is a divine seven-headed, flying horse from Hindu mythology, created during the churning of the ocean. Revered as the prototype and king of all horses, it serves as the vahana for deities such as Indra and Bali. Its snowy white coat and majestic form symbolise the pinnacle of equine perfection and celestial power.

Uchchaihshravas

Vaikuntha Chaturmurti, also known as Vaikuntha Vishnu, is a four-headed iconographic form of the Hindu god Vishnu. He is depicted with a human, lion, boar, and a fierce head, each representing different aspects of the divine. His image, influenced by Gupta and Gandhara traditions, underscores his status as the Supreme Being in Vaishnavism.

Vaikuntha Chaturmurti

Yamantaka, also known as Vajrabhairava, is the destroyer of death deity in Vajrayana Buddhism. He is depicted in a wrathful form with multiple heads and arms, symbolizing the triumph over death and ignorance. His potent iconography and role in tantric practices underscore his significance within the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Yamantaka

Yamata no Orochi is a legendary Japanese serpent with eight heads and eight tails, known for its colossal size and ferocious nature. It appears in ancient texts like the Kojiki and is a symbol of chaotic, primordial danger. The creature was famously slain by the storm god Susanoo, marking a pivotal moment in Japanese mythology.

Creatures with Multi-Headed