Athenaeum of Epiphanies, Oddities, and Wonders

Folk Tales by the Fireside

Of all the things in this baffling world, humans are perhaps the most so. Therefore, the crazy things our minds cook up should probably be expected, but we still seem to surprise ourselves quite frequently. The things humans think of can be beautiful, disturbing, and everything in between, but all of it contributes to what we call culture.

Culture can come in the form of traditions, beliefs, behavior—even clothing. Let’s take a look at some of the more bizarre products of culture.

Creatures of Folklore

In the mythology of the Solomon Islands, Adaro are both ghosts and elemental spirits, with a sharp fin atop their head. They are said to be created by the sun dancing on the waves, and are associated with rainbows. They can shoot deadly projectiles—sometimes poison water, sometimes poison fish.

Also known as bushmen. Its main diet is humans, which it eats with its extremely elongated teeth. They are said to target lone desert travelers at night. The monster is said to have its eyes on its feet, meaning that it cannot see as it hunts. In order to see, it must stand on its hands or head, or lie in the sand.

Greek creatures that are missing a head and wear their faces on their chest. Said to inhabit remote parts of the world. They most likely came from a mistranslation of an insult, from calling a group of people "brainless" to calling them "headless".

A Yōkai (supernatural apparition) of Japan that takes on the appearance of a bald-headed child with one eye in the center of its forehead, similar to a cyclops. They generally do not cause any injury, are said to suddenly appear and surprise people, and are a comparatively harmless type of yōkai.

Or river children. Typically described as human-like beings with webbed hands and feet and turtle-like carapaces on their backs. A depression on the head retains water, and if this is damaged or its liquid is lost, a kappa becomes severely weakened. They are partial to cucumbers and sumo-wrestling. Dangerous but not evil.

A hybrid between an ant and a lion. Most likely derived from an error in the Septuagint version of the book of Job. An alternate, less interesting interpretation of the Myrmecoleon is a lion of ants, or a very large ant. But that's no fun, so we'll ignore it.

A skinless, horse-like demon with a man's torso attached to its back from Scottish folklore that brings death and disease. It's said to live in the sea and emerge onto land to cause havoc. It stalks its prey for days, appearing in the distance to cause fear and panic.

An entity in English folklore, His bizarre appearance and ability to make extraordinary leaps made him quite popular. Jack was described as having a frightful appearance, with clawed hands, and eyes of red flames. He was tall and thin, with the appearance of a gentleman. Several reports mention that he could breathe out blue and white flames.