Does it scare you when you think something (like a MONSTER) is under your bed at night? What if one is in the closet? It undoubtedly leaves threatening remarks on your head, whether a child or an adult. Fairy Tale monsters featured on this list involve 10 mythical antagonists that have been told and retold in several ways since our childhood.
I say you believe in monsters whether or not you know it. Many people out there are lovers of folktales, lovers of monsters, the lovers of weird, gruesome, and mysterious things in this universe. This list tries to combine the lot by selecting the most horrifying of all monsters from those age-old fairy tales.
By now, let’s not talk about the monsters in our brains; however, it can penetrate another serious topic to discuss. Here, we are just listing the top 10 monsters, but only those who exist in Fairy Tales.
10. Sphinx
The Greek Mythology gave rise to new folklore mythicizing one of the most dangerous and merciless creatures called the Sphinx. A sphinx has a lion’s body and a lady’s head. Myths say Sphinx used to ask a riddle to people on their way, and those who couldn’t answer her riddle were killed and eaten by Sphinx; what a ravenous monster! However, the exact riddle asked by Sphinx was not specified by the early tellers of the tales; the one offered to Oedipus was like this:
“What animal is that which in the morning goes upon four feet; upon two feet in the
afternoon, and in the Evening upon three?”
However, many interpretations are available about Sphinx’s Riddle; nobody knows what exactly Oedipus answered, but it’s been said that he was the only person to solve Sphinx’s Riddle and was not killed by Sphinx. If you meet Sphinx, what will you reply to her? Be well-prepared, guys! You know very well what she does when one can’t solve her riddle… ha ha ha!
9. Fenrir
Norse Mythology says Fenrir is a monstrous wolf. It’s a giant, shaggy black wolf. Fenrir is described as the offspring of Loki, who is the god of mischief. Various interpretations are still out there about Fenrir; however, it has been depicted as the great lover of human flesh.
The Fenris grows ever more prominent with each person he devours. Myths say Fenris is the size of a continent by the time of Ragnarok. In some other Mythos, Fenrir eats Odin and swallows the entire world. He uses his lower gaping jaw to drag the ground while his upper jaw touches the sky. Well, it’s been said!
8. Ogre
Maybe Ogre is the monster you used to fear the most while you were a kid. It’s because Ogres are most often described in fairy tales as eating babies. They are often depicted as giant humanoid monsters having a head large enough, abundant hair and beard, a powerful body, and, well, a voracious appetite for feeding on humans.
They hunt by smell or sound, and it’s been said that before it dies, the victim sees its reflection in the sightless eyes of Ogres. Ogres and Ogresses are still very popular in fairy tales and folklore.
7. Bluebeard
Bluebeard is a violent monster introduced originally by French folktales. Bluebeard is depicted as a ferocious nobleman in the habit of marrying and murdering his wives. Bluebeard is described as a wealthy aristocrat. And he was feared because of his blue-colored beard, which looked dreadfully ugly. Bluebeard is said to have married several girls, but nobody knows what becomes of his beautiful wives.
After marrying a new girl, Bluebird would give all keys to the new wife, telling her they open the doors to rooms containing treasures. And again, he would give her another key to the room, stressing that she should never enter this room, no matter what. He’d then go away from the house, showing some reasons. But, the overpowering desire of her wife would let her check what was there inside the forbidden room.
The new wife would immediately discover the horrible secret of that room: that it was all bloodshed. Suddenly, Bluebeard would return home the following day and would come to know that his new wife had entered the room. In the next step, you know what happens. The Bluebeard once again would kill his next wife. Beware, girls, would that be Bluebeard coming to you and convincing you to marry him!
6. Loch Ness Monster
It’s been said that Loch Ness Monster is a cryptid and gigantic animal that inhabits the Lake of Loch Ness situated in Scotland. Loch Ness Monster often appeared to be preached for the first time in 1933 at lake Loch Ness. Popular folktales say that Loch Ness Monster resembles a long-necked dinosaur, snake, or dragon.
This lake monster is often said to have seen only a head and neck. The photograph by the Surgeon is supposed to be the first photo of the head and neck of the Loch Ness Monster. Many people now claim to have spotted Loch Ness Monster. However, nobody can say with certainty about the existence of this creature.
5. Bigfoot and Yeti
‘Bigfoot’ and ‘Yeti’ share a very close resemblance. Bigfoot is a similar creature or cryptid but is believed to live in forests of North-West America. Many similar stories like that of Yeti have been heard about Bigfoot too. Yeti is popularly known as ‘The Abominable Snowman.’ They say Yeti supposedly live in the snowy Himalayas. Yeti is an ape-like cryptid taller than an average human and a very aggressive and monstrous snowman.
To date, nobody has reported seeing or meeting with the Yeti. However, there was a rumor around 1974 that Yeti attacked a Sherpa woman in Nepal Himalayas while grazing her yaks. According to the Sherpa woman, the Snowman came up behind her, hit her head, and grabbed her neck. It’s been said that Yeti also killed some yaks of Sherpa women. The story of the Yeti is as mysterious as Bigfoot’s story in North America. However, on the 19th of March, 1954, the Everest Expedition Team found some hair specimens in Pangboche Monastery from what was alleged to be the scalp of Yeti.
4. Ghoul
A Ghoul is another folkloric monster or spirit associated with graveyards. Ghouls are said to have consumed human flesh and are often classified as undead. The existing myth says that Ghouls are likely One Thousand and One Night old. Other tales describe Ghoul as an evil demon that preys on young children, eats the dead, drinks blood, and so on. Ghoul lures unwary people into the desert wastes or abandoned places to devour them.
3. Dragons
The flying and fire-breathing creature Dragon is one of the legendary creatures with typical serpentine and reptilian characteristics. Dragons are famous in the myths of several different cultures worldwide. The Dragons can be categorized into two distinct types: European and Chinese. Dragons are the mythological representation of a reptile and are predominantly depicted as vast lizards or snakes in modern days.
However, different popular myths depict Dragons in many different shapes and features. As per European folklore, dragons live in rivers or have underground lairs. In some tales, Dragons can even talk like humans. They are portrayed as evil monsters in some other tales, however.
European Dragons are depicted as malevolent though there are some exceptions. Chinese dragons are the highest-ranking animal in the Chinese animal hierarchy. They believe Dragons symbolize power, courage, and majesty and are considered protective. You might have already heard the tales of some Dragons, namely The Drake, Faerie Dragon, Hydra, The Sea Serpent, and so on.
2. Werewolves
In Myths, Werewolves are described as extremely terrifying hunters that can rip a man to shreds in seconds. By Werewolf, it means lycanthrope, meaning ‘Wolf Man.’ They are believed to come out on the full moon and take human form. It’s even possible for one of these beasts to have no clue what their true nature is in their human form.
According to some widespread rumors, the change can be controlled via magic. Even some in wolf form can control the beast and use it against their enemies. Various methods of becoming a werewolf have been reported in Mythos. One of the simplest methods is removing clothing, and putting on a belt made of wolf-skin is also popular. However, the methods of remedies have been equally stated in various myths.
1. Vampires and Dracula
Vampires! Myths say Vampires are supernaturally reanimated corpses, and the deceased’s spirit inhabits them. They suck blood, live in groups or colonies, and look like human beings. Blood is always the main component of a vampire’s diet. Their body will become severely weak if they somehow fail to drink blood, ultimately desiccating into mummification.
It’s been said that Vampires themselves are extremely feral and predatory creatures. Their canine teeth lengthen into fangs and give them a more predatory look. The bite of vampires can sever the limbs of both animals and humans.
It is also believed that vampires have emotions like humans, like anger, hate, happiness, love, and compassion. But again, their emotions are far more intense than that of humans. Many Myths are yet out there about how to kill or become a Vampire.
Dracula is also like a vampire but tends to live alone and is happy to tell anyone to sleep in a coffin. As in Fairy tales, Dracula has a more ancient look with a black cloak and sharp canine teeth.
Final Conclusion:
Those who exist in the utopian world of fairy tales are creatures too strange and sometimes do not occur to the human mind. Many fairy tales become legends. We all have heard stories of supernatural powers and creatures, aren’t we? Most probably, your granny told you some of the most interesting folklore. Or maybe your mom was there with those stories, but we have been very impressed with fairy tales since childhood.
More often, those horrible monstrous creatures you’ve heard about never leave their imprint on your mind, does it? But still, there’s no such certainty or scientific evidence about their existence to date. They are the cruelest, most shocking, most violent, and most terrifying monsters, but only in Fairy Tales. But what about the monster that lives inside our brains? Of course, that monster is a vital part of who we are. And by the way, these monsters are quite a bit more terrifying than the thing you only thought lived under your bed.
Be sure to drop your comments to let us know your favorites. We know that there’s no limit in Fairy Tales; it’s an imaginary world without boundaries.
Arun is an IT-gradate. But writing is something he has innate passion for. He loves to explore new things, places and ideas.