In the folklore of Scotland’s Shetland Islands, the wulver is a creature with a man’s body and a wolf’s head. Despite its monstrous appearance, it is a gentle and solitary being. Related articles: the Story of the Wulver in Scotland Unlike a werewolf, the wulver is not a transformed human and is naturally kind. It … Read more
Vouivre is a mythical creature from French folklore, particularly in the Jura and Franche-Comté regions. It is often described as a dragon or serpent with a precious stone or jewel (sometimes a carbuncle) on its forehead. The Vouivre is associated with rivers, caves, and treasures, and is sometimes considered a guardian spirit. The name derives … Read more
Underground Treasures in Scottish and Breton folklore are believed to exist beneath mountains, guarded by supernatural beings. In Scotland, treasures are watched over by giants and fairies, while in Brittany guardians may include an old man, an old woman, a serpent, a black dog, or small demons a foot tall. Rituals for acquiring these treasures … Read more
Totam is a guardian spirit in the belief systems of North American Indigenous peoples. It is thought to protect individuals and is visualized as an animal. The animal associated with a person’s totam is never harmed, hunted, or eaten by that individual, a practice akin to the totemic systems widely documented in anthropological studies. Related … Read more
Tomtegubbe (Swedish: ‘old man of the attic’) is a household spirit in Scandinavian folklore, particularly Sweden, associated with goblins or brownies. Tomtegubbe is considered a guardian of the homestead, often depicted as a small, elderly man living in attics or barns. He is related to the wider family of European house spirits such as the … Read more
Tibalang are ghostly entities in the folklore of the Philippines, believed to inhabit the tops of old trees. Locals imagine Tibalang as giant beings with long hair, small feet, large wings, and painted bodies. They are considered the spirits of ancestors, and their presence in certain trees underpins local animist traditions. The Tibalang play a … Read more
Tenare (Taenarum in Latin) refers to the ancient Greek concept of a gateway to the underworld. Situated at Cape Taenarum in the southern Peloponnese, this location was considered an entrance to Hades, according to Greek mythology. Classical sources, including Homer and Pausanias, describe Tenare as guarded by Cerberus (Kerberos), the three-headed hound that prevents souls … Read more
Three Tells are legendary saviors of Switzerland believed to rest in a hidden cave near Lake Lucerne. Per local lore, they await the appointed time to return and defend the canton. A shepherd’s accidental glimpse in the Middle Ages recounts their questioning of current time before resuming slumber. Related Posts:Three TellsKatakhanes (Crete)Mythological Anatomy: The Hidden … Read more
Tée is a guardian spirit worshipped by Tahitian families, regarded as ancestors or deceased relatives. These protective genii are believed to grant healing and ward off disease, central to familial cult practices in traditional Tahiti. Related Posts:TéeMarriage After Death in French Culture and LawDeathMythological Anatomy: The Hidden Vocabulary of the…
Taniwoa is the supreme sea deity among the indigenous peoples of New Zealand, analogous to Tangaroa in Māori tradition. As god of the ocean, he presides over marine creatures and weather, and his worship involved offerings cast into the sea. Related Posts:TaniwoaMythological Anatomy: The Hidden Vocabulary of the…AstrologyThe Werewolf in Central European Folklore: Between…