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

Aban, derived from the Avestan term Apas and Middle Persian Āb, represents the sacred waters in ancient Iranian mythology. Manifesting as the hypostases of the waters, Aban embodies purity, life, and the ever-changing nature of water. Revered for its nurturing and cleansing powers, Aban plays a pivotal role in Zoroastrian and ancient Iranian spiritual traditions.

Aban

Achelois is a multifaceted figure in Greek mythology whose name means 'she who drives away pain'. She appears in various forms, including as a water nymph, a siren, and a daughter of Pierus among the Pierides. Through these divergent identities, she embodies both healing qualities and the perilous allure of the mystical waters.

Achelois

Actaea, also known as Actaeä or Aktaia, is a Greek sea-nymph and one of the fifty Nereids associated with rocky shores. She is a daughter of Nereus, the Old Man of the Sea, and the Oceanid Doris. Her presence in mythology underscores the ancient Greeks' reverence for the coastal and marine environment.

Actaea (mythology)

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)

Adlivun is the Inuit underworld where the spirits of the departed reside. It is depicted as a frozen wasteland beneath the land and sea, serving as a purificatory realm for souls. Also known as Idliragijenget, Adlivun is central to Inuit beliefs about the afterlife.

Adlivun

Admete is an Oceanid from Greek mythology, daughter of Oceanus and Tethys. Her name means 'the unbroken, unwedded or untamed', highlighting her free spirit. She is remembered as a companion of Persephone during her abduction by Hades in Sicily.

Admete (Oceanid)

Adraste, also known as Adrasteia, is a divine Oceanid in Greek mythology noted for her nurturing role in caring for the infant Zeus and for her presence as a companion of Helen. Her lineage as a daughter of Oceanus and possible Tethys underscores her association with water and divine immortality. Through these dual narratives, she embodies both the ethereal qualities of a nature spirit and the benevolent traits of a nurturer.

Adraste

Ægir is a jötunn and the personification of the sea in Norse mythology, known for hosting the gods in his grand underwater halls. He is closely associated with brewing ale and is often depicted as both formidable and hospitable. As a mythological embodiment of the ocean, Ægir's influence spans natural, cultural, and symbolic dimensions.

Ægir

Aegle is a name attributed to several distinct figures in Greek mythology, known for her radiant beauty and association with natural elements. She appears as a naiad, a Hesperid, a Heliad, and in various other roles across differing narratives. Her diverse representations reflect the complex interplay of divinity, nature, and mortal affairs in ancient Greek lore.

Aegle (mythology)

The Afanc is a legendary lake monster from Welsh mythology known for its variable and enigmatic appearance. Often described as resembling a crocodile, beaver, dwarf, or even a platypus, it has been depicted as both a creature of nature and a demonic entity. Its elusive nature and association with various Welsh lakes have made it an enduring figure in regional folklore.

Afanc

Agave is a multifaceted figure in Greek mythology, representing diverse characters including a sea nymph, a Danaid, a tragic Theban mother, and an Amazon warrior. Each variant embodies distinct attributes ranging from divine water control and immortality to mortal tragedy and exceptional combat prowess. The name, meaning 'illustrious' or 'high-born', underscores the noble heritage common to all these iterations.

Agave (mythology)

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

The Ahuizotl is a legendary water creature from Aztec mythology that resembles a water opossum with spiny features. It is notorious for luring unsuspecting victims to their deaths in murky freshwater environments. Associated with rain gods, the creature embodies the peril and mystique of water in Aztec culture.

Ahuizotl (mythology)

Aipaloovik is an evil sea god from Inuit mythology known for bringing death and destruction. He stands as the antithesis of Anguta, embodying malevolence in the ocean. His fearsome presence warns fishermen of the perilous might of the sea.

Aipaloovik

Akkorokamui is a gigantic octopus-like sea monster from Ainu folklore. It is said to reach lengths of up to 120 metres and lurk in the deep waters of Uchiura Bay in Hokkaido. Its name, meaning 'tentacle-holding kamuy', underscores its formidable and mysterious nature.

Akkorokamui

Akugyo is an evil sea monster and aquatic yōkai from Japanese mythology. It is also known as daigyo or raichōgyo, reflecting its giant size and thunderous attributes. Renowned for its menacing presence in the deep waters, Akugyo embodies the malign forces of the ocean.

Akugyo

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

Alara is a water fairy from Turkic mythology known for her luminous, ethereal appearance and butterfly-like wings made of light. She hovers above Lake Baikal while sprinkling water and purifying hearts of hate. Her gentle blessings grant love and healing to those who seek her through ancient rituals.

Alara (fairy)

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.

Water Beings