Abaia is a huge magical eel from Melanesian mythology that dwells at the bottom of freshwater lakes. It fiercely protects the creatures of its domain and punishes those who disturb the lake. Its powerful tail can create massive waves and induce great rainstorms.

Abaia

Abu is a Mesopotamian god associated with vegetation and snakes. His character remains poorly understood, contributing to his enigmatic presence in ancient lore. He was often paired with the deity gu₂-la₂, an early name or aspect of the goddess Gula, who was later widely recognized as the Mesopotamian deity of healing and medicine.

Abu (god)

Abyzou is a female demon from Near Eastern and European folklore, infamous for causing miscarriages and infant mortality. Depicted with fish- or serpent-like attributes, she embodies ancient fears surrounding childbirth. Recognised in Coptic Egyptian and Byzantine traditions, her many names reflect a syncretic demonology spanning antiquity and the Early Middle Ages.

Abyzou

Agathos Daimon, the noble spirit, is a lesser deity from ancient Greek and Graeco-Egyptian religiosity. He served as a household god honoured with libations and later emerged as a serpentine guardian of Alexandria. His dual role as a domestic protector and civic guardian underscores his enduring significance in ancient spirituality.

Agathodaemon

Agunua, also known as Hatuibwari, is the cosmic serpent god and chief deity of the Solomon Islands' San Cristobal people. He is revered for his awe-inspiring serpentine form and his dominion over the sea. Worshippers honour him by considering the first coconut from each tree as sacred.

Agunua

Ai Apaec, also known as Aiapæc or Wrinkled Face, is a principal deity in Moche iconography. He is revered as the creator god and protector of the Moche, providing water, food and military triumphs. His fearsome, snake‐belted visage embodies both creative power and punitive wrath.

Aiapæc

Akurra is a great snake deity in the mythology of the Adnyamathanha people of South Australia. Depicted as a giant water snake with a beard mane, scales, and sharp fangs, it is revered for its ability to shape the land and control water. Its association with shamanic power and ritual rainmaking underscores its vital role in indigenous cultural traditions.

Akurra

The Alicante is a mythical Mexican snake known for its venomous bite and cultural significance.

Alicante (mythology)

Amaru is a mythological chimera-serpent from Andean and Inca traditions, depicted as a double-headed creature with a blend of animal features. It resides in subterranean and aquatic realms, symbolising the vital forces of water and agricultural abundance. Its dual nature as a protector and destroyer reflects the complex interplay of creation and chaos in Andean cosmology.

Amaru (mythology)

The Amphiptere is a mythological winged serpent prominent in European heraldry. Characterised by its bi-winged, serpentine form without limbs, it stands out in heraldic art. Serving as a symbol of nobility and protection, it embodies the fusion of myth and art in medieval traditions.

Amphiptere

The Amphisbaena is a mythological serpent from Ancient Greek mythology, recognised for its unique dual-headed form. It is known as the 'Mother of Ants' due to its peculiar ant-eating habits. Its ambidextrous locomotion and mysterious nature continue to intrigue scholars of ancient lore.

Amphisbaena

Angitia is an ancient goddess of healing and magic, worshipped by the Marsi, Paeligni, and other Oscan-Umbrian peoples of central Italy. She is revered for her ability to cure snakebites and her mastery over snake-charming rituals, which link her to a legacy of magical healing. Her enduring cult, evidenced by sacred groves and inscriptions, attests to her significant role in ancient healing traditions.

Angitia

Anguipeds are divine entities characterized by their unusual composite form, most notably having serpents for legs. In common depictions, especially as Abraxas, they feature a rooster head combined with snake-like limbs. These figures are central to Greco-Roman magical amulets and syncretic cult practices blending pagan and Judaic elements.

Anguiped

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

Apalāla is a water-dwelling Naga King from Buddhist mythology, famed for his conversion by the Buddha. He is traditionally depicted as a large, serpentine guardian residing near the Swat River in the Peshawar region. His story is celebrated as a powerful symbol of transformation and the embrace of Buddhist faith.

Apalala

Apep, also known as Apophis, is the ancient Egyptian deity embodying darkness and chaos. He is depicted as a colossal, venomous serpent locked in an eternal battle against the forces of light and order. His myth represents the perpetual struggle between chaos and Ma'at, the divine order.

Apep

The Apotamkin is a giant, fanged sea monster from Native American mythology, hailing from Passamaquoddy Bay. In some legends, it is said to have once been a human woman transformed into a serpentine creature, complete with long red hair. Its terrifying presence serves as both a warning and a protective measure to keep children away from dangerous waters.

Apotamkin

Arkaroo is a mythological serpent from Australian Aboriginal Dreamtime that drained Lake Frome and shaped the landscape of the northern Flinders Ranges. He retreated for a nap in the mountains, leaving behind waterholes with each resting spot. Ancient rumblings attributed to his movements are now scientifically explained as natural seismic activity.

Arkaroo

Arwe, also known as Wainaba, is a mythological serpent-king from Ethiopian lore. He ruled his kingdom tyrannically for four hundred years, demanding sacrifices from his subjects. His eventual downfall at the hands of the founder of the Solomonic dynasty marked the end of his oppressive reign.

Arwe

Atosis, also known as Kci-Athussos, is a mythological serpentine being from Abenaki and Algonquian folklore. He was once a human man who transformed into a large, aquatic snake. His legends, marked by fierce battles with the hero Glooskap and other dramatic encounters, highlight themes of transformation and natural power.

Serpentine Beings