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MYTHICAL CREATURES OF THE ARAB WORLD
(This is going to be a long one, so bear with me)
MYTHICAL CREATURES OF THE ARAB WORLD
(This is going to be a long one, so bear with me)
also, apologies @Paindu_Sarkar but this one won out before qaf 
Dividing this once again into three parts, because there are almost 19 creatures (known); each one linked to another sometimes (Arabic mythology is complex that way). Will not be theorizing anything, but stating facts as they are.
Categories:
1) Humanized Creatures - those displaying human characteristics (physical mostly)
2) Shapeless Entities - Very common in Arab religious/non-religious folklore
3) Animalized Forms - Hybrids or creatures mirroring the physical characteristics of a certain animal
1) Humanized Creatures - those displaying human characteristics (physical mostly)
2) Shapeless Entities - Very common in Arab religious/non-religious folklore
3) Animalized Forms - Hybrids or creatures mirroring the physical characteristics of a certain animal
☆ Humanized Creatures ☆
NASNAS (النَّسْنَاس an-nasnās):
Born of a human and a demon parent (Shiqq), Nasnas had the powers to kill humans and turning them 'fleshless', simply by touching them. It was known to have each of half a body part, and half a leg which allowed it to make giant leaps.
Born of a human and a demon parent (Shiqq), Nasnas had the powers to kill humans and turning them 'fleshless', simply by touching them. It was known to have each of half a body part, and half a leg which allowed it to make giant leaps.
SHAHMARAN (Persian: شاهماران // Also known as Sapa dē Shaha' in Punjabi):
The name literally translates to 'Shah (King) of Snakes'. According to the legend, Shahmaran is a creature whose head is a beautiful woman, the bottom is a snake, and lives in the land of the snakes -
The name literally translates to 'Shah (King) of Snakes'. According to the legend, Shahmaran is a creature whose head is a beautiful woman, the bottom is a snake, and lives in the land of the snakes -
- which is located somewhere under the Earth. The Turkish, Iraqi and Kurdish sources argue on its background story; but agree that Shahmaran is known for her eternal wisdom and knowledge of the secrets of the world.
SILA (سعلا أو سعلاة) :
Is not necessarily a humanized creature, but is a kind of Jinn (introduced later) that takes on the form of humans and are known to seduce men, marry and/or birth children from them. Very similar to the European succubus.
Is not necessarily a humanized creature, but is a kind of Jinn (introduced later) that takes on the form of humans and are known to seduce men, marry and/or birth children from them. Very similar to the European succubus.
ZARQA AL-YAMAMA (زرقاء اليمامة) :
From the Najd region; A powerful woman with incredible blue eyes, which helped her foresee and predict future events. Kind of like the Greek Oracle of Delphi
From the Najd region; A powerful woman with incredible blue eyes, which helped her foresee and predict future events. Kind of like the Greek Oracle of Delphi
It is said that she once saw an army invading her tribe, from a three days' distance. Her blue eyes could pierce through the veil of Space and Time. However she was killed by her own tribe out of jealousy, and her eyes were gouged out.
☆ SHAPELESS ENTITIES ☆
GHOUL (غول/ ghūl):
Originating in Pre-Islamic Arabia, ghouls are generally shapeless, but do have shape shifting abilities which allow them to wreak havoc on whatever crosses their paths (be it a human/animal). They usually dwell in deserted areas or graveyards -
Originating in Pre-Islamic Arabia, ghouls are generally shapeless, but do have shape shifting abilities which allow them to wreak havoc on whatever crosses their paths (be it a human/animal). They usually dwell in deserted areas or graveyards -
- feeding on human flesh, and often taking on the form of the consumed human. Female ghouls are known to lure men into their lair and eat them up. A particular kind of ghoul is known to frequent the valleys of Afghanistan and Iran, known as Ghūl-e-Biyaban.
Hatif (هاتف // sudden 'calling' or 'shouting') :
Not necessarily a creature, but Bedouins describe it as a voice that can be heard without discovering the body which made that sound.
Not necessarily a creature, but Bedouins describe it as a voice that can be heard without discovering the body which made that sound.
It was also believed that these voices were prophetic entities within themselves (using jinns as transmitters) often heralding someone's death.
MARID (مارد/mārid):
Known to be rebellious supernatural beings; a mix between a jinn and a demon. Large and powerful, according to folklore, they also have the ability to grant wishes to mortals, but that usually requires imprisonment, rituals, or flattery.
Known to be rebellious supernatural beings; a mix between a jinn and a demon. Large and powerful, according to folklore, they also have the ability to grant wishes to mortals, but that usually requires imprisonment, rituals, or flattery.
NEPHILIM (נְפִילִים, nefilim):
Well-known in biblical myths, however Arab Pagans believed in them too. Described as 'fallen angels' that take upon the shape of humans on Earth, they were known to produce hybrid children. Abu Jurhum of the Jurhum tribe, was one such hybrid child.
Well-known in biblical myths, however Arab Pagans believed in them too. Described as 'fallen angels' that take upon the shape of humans on Earth, they were known to produce hybrid children. Abu Jurhum of the Jurhum tribe, was one such hybrid child.
☆ANIMALIZED FORMS☆
AL-MI'RAJ (المعراج):
A giant serpent that is said to live on Jezîrat al-Tennyn (Sea-Serpent Island), located somewhere around the Indian Ocean. Legend says the beast was gifted to Alexander the Great, after it killed a dragon that was plaguing the inhabitants of the island.
A giant serpent that is said to live on Jezîrat al-Tennyn (Sea-Serpent Island), located somewhere around the Indian Ocean. Legend says the beast was gifted to Alexander the Great, after it killed a dragon that was plaguing the inhabitants of the island.
BAHAMUT (BAHAMŪT/ بهموت):
Gigantic cosmological sea-monster (fish/whale) that acts as one of the layers which support the Earth (Sort of like Atlas). It is described as having a monstrous head with large teeth, almost like a hippopotamus.
Gigantic cosmological sea-monster (fish/whale) that acts as one of the layers which support the Earth (Sort of like Atlas). It is described as having a monstrous head with large teeth, almost like a hippopotamus.
Bahamut is not only well-known in Middle-Eastern mythology, but also emulates the characteristics of the mythical Japanese fish Jinshin-Uwo (which is believed to be the cause of all the earthquakes that occurs in the region)
KUJUTA (Kuyūthā/كيوثاء):
Part of the Bahamut-verse. In fact it is a cosmic bull, which stands upon the fish Bahamut, and supporting on its back the Earth and a rock platform which supports an angel. Super complex to explain, but hopefully the illustration may help.
Part of the Bahamut-verse. In fact it is a cosmic bull, which stands upon the fish Bahamut, and supporting on its back the Earth and a rock platform which supports an angel. Super complex to explain, but hopefully the illustration may help.
The orientalist Edward Lane describes the bull to have had 4,000 eyes, ears, noses, mouths, tougues and feet. But according to Islamic mythology, the number is 40,000 eyes, limbs, etc. Its horns were said to extend all the way from the Earth to "God's Throne".
ROC (ruk/ رخ):
Giant legendary bird of prey, described as a large "mountain" hanging mid-air (should give you a good idea of just how huge the bird was) it mimicked most prehistoric birds in flight and feeding habits; eg: carrying off elephants and other large beasts for food
Giant legendary bird of prey, described as a large "mountain" hanging mid-air (should give you a good idea of just how huge the bird was) it mimicked most prehistoric birds in flight and feeding habits; eg: carrying off elephants and other large beasts for food
SHÂD'HAVÂR (شادهوار):
Arab version of the unicorn; said to reside in the country of Rūm (Byzantium). It is said that it has one horn with 42 hollow branches which, when the wind passes through them, produces a pleasant sound that makes the animals sit around and listen.
Arab version of the unicorn; said to reside in the country of Rūm (Byzantium). It is said that it has one horn with 42 hollow branches which, when the wind passes through them, produces a pleasant sound that makes the animals sit around and listen.
If the number of the branches however increased to 72, it turned shahdavar into a ferocious carnivore; playing music to lure victims into its trap. Similar to the sea-sirens in Greek mythology.
WERE-HYENAS:
Originating in NE Africa and the Near-East (known as 'boudas' in some places) are hyenas resembling humans, robbing graves at midnight and feast on the bodies. Bouda turned into a insult when Ethiopian Christians started referring to the Jews as "boudas"
Originating in NE Africa and the Near-East (known as 'boudas' in some places) are hyenas resembling humans, robbing graves at midnight and feast on the bodies. Bouda turned into a insult when Ethiopian Christians started referring to the Jews as "boudas"
Larger than a hyena and able to stand on two-legs, boudas were every bit as dangerous as their European counterparts (werewolves). They were ruthless and brutal, and much like the 1600s witchhunts, marginalised communities were often accused of being "boudas".
There are so many other creatures, the list could go on and on. But I've tried listing the major ones I hope. Gonna call it a day for now.
☆FIN☆
☆FIN☆
