Encyclopedia of Mythical Creatures:
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Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis (from the Greek μεταμόρφωσις, transformation”) refers to the process of transformation Related Posts:Mythological Anatomy: The Hidden Vocabulary of the…The Werewolf in Central European Folklore: Between…Marvelous Light (Recipe)Werewolf

Encyclopedia of Mythical Creatures:
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Megalanthropogenesis

Megalanthropogenesis refers to the idea of influencing the physical and mental characteristics of children before birth. This concept, rooted in ancient beliefs and folklore, suggests that a mother’s experiences and thoughts during pregnancy can affect the appearance and intelligence of her child. Examples include the biblical story of Jacob and the speckled sheep and various … Read more

Encyclopedia of Mythical Creatures:
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Media (Ancient Kingdom) and Magical Stones

In ancient Media (an ancient kingdom in modern-day Iran), certain stones, particularly black or green ones, were believed to possess healing properties. These stones were thought to cure blindness and gout when applied to the affected area with a compress of ewe’s milk. Such beliefs illustrate the intersection of folklore and traditional medicine in ancient … Read more

Encyclopedia of Mythical Creatures:
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Meerman

Meerman (also known as marmennill or havmann) are mermen in Baltic folklore. These water spirits are described as having green beards and hair resembling water lily stems. They are said to sing among the waves, luring fishermen, and their songs are believed to precede storms. The Meerman represent the dangers and mysteries associated with the … Read more

Encyclopedia of Mythical Creatures:
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Magares (Mingrelia)

Magares were sorcerers in Mingrelia (a historical region in Georgia) feared for their ability to perform ligature magic, particularly affecting marriages. Weddings were held in secrecy to avoid their spells. Related Posts:Marriage After Death in French Culture and LawMingrelia (Samegrelo)Regions with the Highest Life Expectancy in EuropeMagic and Magicians

Encyclopedia of Mythical Creatures:
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Ivy, the Devil’s Thread

Ivy. We do not know why the Flemish call ivy the devil’s thread (Duivels-Naalgaren). Related Posts:Mythological Anatomy: The Hidden Vocabulary of the…Secrets of the Magical Art of the Grand GrimoireAll Souls’ Day (Flemish)Amulet

Encyclopedia of Mythical Creatures:
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Unicorn, the Magical Beast

Unicorn. It was believed among our fathers that the horn of a unicorn preserved from witchcraft. The unicorns of the Cape of Good Hope are described with horses’ heads, others with deer’s heads. It is said that the well of the Doge’s Palace cannot be poisoned, because unicorn horns have been thrown into it. Moreover, … Read more

Encyclopedia of Mythical Creatures:
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Lizards in Folklore

Lizards. The Kamchadales have a superstitious fear of them. They are, they say, the spies of Gaeth (god of the dead) who come to predict the end of their days. If they are caught, they are cut into small pieces so that they do not go to tell anything to the god of the dead. … Read more

Encyclopedia of Mythical Creatures:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Idols

An idol is an image, figure, or representation of an imaginary or real being. The worship of idols is known as idolatry. While idols in pagan cultures were sometimes associated with seemingly miraculous events, these were often attributed to demons or charlatanism. Saint Gregory Thaumaturgus (c. 213-270 AD) encountered a temple known for its oracles. … Read more