Chesma iyesi

Chesma iyesi

Region of origin: Turkic regions

A shape-shifting female water spirit, the chesma iyesi will primarily appear as a cat but may take on numerous forms resembling other animals, fairy- and mermaids-like creatures or often simply an attractive human woman, their identity given away by the hems of their clothes being wet. Each chesma iyesi inhabits a particular well, fountain or spring. They are commonly considered dangerous, using their forms to entice young people into the water and drown them, however the kuyu iyesi is a more benevolent guardians of their wells, the water from which is believed to have curative or luck-granting properties.

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Nuppeppō

Nuppeppō

Region of origin: Japan

A walking blob of fat and flesh with rudimentary features that most noticeably produces an incredibly foul, rotting odor. The nuppeppō is a solitary creature that will live by itself in ruins of cemeteries and temples, but on rare occasion will venture into human settlements at night to make a bit of harmless mischief, taking delight in spooking people with its appearance or their revulsion at its smell. It’s said eating the flesh of the nuppeppō can have curative properties, such as being a panacea or even granting the person eternal youth or immortality, but in order to do so the person must first be able to catch the surprisingly nimble yokai and then manage to withstand its stench to consume it. Their origins remain unclear, with some suggesting they may be other yokai who botched a transformation and became stuck in this form, while others saying it is some man-made construct built from rotting flesh and given life. Its name is a play on a term for someone wearing too much makeup, in reference to the vagueness of its facial features.

Originally posted on Tumblr on September 13, 2016

Simurgh

Simurgh

Region of origin: Iran

The simurgh is an ancient, benevolent creature who has been reborn along with the earth several time and is said to possess the knowledge of one who has lived for thousands of years. She often appeared in stories to help kings and heroes, teaching them valuable lessons or skills (in one story introducing the cesarean section to humanity) or offering them three feathers which the human could use to call on her and overcome obstacles or adversaries. In most of these stories the simurgh holds a particular enmity against dragons and serpents. She represents purity and fertility, and roosts in Geokerena, the Tree of Life, whose leaves could be used to heal any disease and the source of all other plant life in the world, which the simurgh distributed as she flew from the tree.

Originally posted on Tumblr on August 7, 2016

Bagiennik

Bagiennik

Region of origin: Eastern Europe

Aquatic demons from Slavic mythology who lived in rivers and lakes. They could shoot a scalding hot oil from their large nostrils that could be harmful to their targets, but if harvested the oil had incredible medicinal properties; from patching and healing wounds to curing infertility.

Originally posted on Tumblr on July 21, 2016

Abada

Abada

Region of origin: Central Africa

A shy creature from Kongo folklore, the abada, also known as a nillekma or arase, is often compared to the western unicorn, particularly the ability to use its horns as a panacea to cure diseases and poisoning.

Originally posted on Tumblr on May 4, 2016

Ramidreju

Ramidreju

Region of origin: Cantabrian Mountains, Spain

A rare creature born to a normal weasel or marten once every hundred years, the ramidreju is a prized animal to be kept because it can hunt for gold, silver and rare minerals like a hog hunting for truffles. Additionally, its fur is said to have incredibly potent curative properties.

Originally posted on Tumblr on March 29, 2017