Mythical Monsters E-Book

Gerrie McCall

• Herausgeber: Amber Books Ltd
• Kategorie: Für Kinder und Jugendliche
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 107

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2020

Beschreibung

Werewolves and vampires, dragons and gorgons, giants and goblins – since ancient times man has invented strange creatures to explain the unknown or caution children. Mythical Monsters includes 44 fantastical beasts ranging from Greek mythology to present day folklore, literature and cinema. Included are such classic mythical beasts as the Minotaur, St. George and the Dragon and the Cyclops, while examples from more recent tales include Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Norwegian Ridgeback from the Harry Potter books and Smaug from The Hobbit.

Featuring Chinese dragons, Japanese trolls, Norse dwarves, Persian giant birds, the Loch Ness Monster, King Kong and Godzilla, among many others, Mythical Monsters is illustrated throughout with outstanding full-colour artworks for each animal. Each entry includes easy-to-follow text, maps and information boxes describing the background to the myth. This engaging and accessible volume reveals the spectacular world of some of mankind’s most sensational creations.

Leseprobe

www.amberbooks.co.uk

This digital edition first published in 2012

Published by

Amber Books Ltd

United House

North Road

London N7 9DP

United Kingdom

Website: www.amberbooks.co.uk

Instagram: www.instagram.com/amberbooksltd/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/amberbooks

Twitter: @amberbooks

Copyright © 2012 Amber Books Ltd

eISBN: 978-1-908696-85-4

PICTURE CREDITS

All illustrations © Amber Books Ltd (Illustrator Myke Taylor/The Art Agency) except

p10-11, 18-21, 28-29, 32-33, 38-41, 46-47, 50-53, 58-61, 68-69, 80-95 © IMP AB

All rights reserved. With the exception of quoting brief passages for the purpose

of review no part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written

permission from the publisher. The information in this book is true and complete

to the best of our knowledge. All recommendations are made without any guarantee

on the part of the author or publisher, who also disclaim any liability incurred in

connection with the use of this data or specific details.

Ancient Legends and Folklore

Beowulf ’s Dragon

8

Chupacabra

10

Gorynych

12

Knucker

14

Krak’s Dragon

16

Leviathan

18

Mummy

20

Orochi

22

St. George and the Dragon

24

Wyvern

26

Mythological Monsters

Basilisk

28

Cerberus

30

Cyclops

32

Fafnir

34

Futs-Lung

36

Gorgon

38

Griffin

40

Hatuibwari

42

Jawzahr

44

Kraken

46

Ladon

48

Minotaur

50

Oni

52

Ryujin

54

Shen-Lung

56

Sphinx

58

Thunderbird

60

Movie Monsters

Dracula

62

Frankenstein's Monster

64

Glaurung

66

Godzilla

68

Hungarian Horntail

70

King Kong

72

Luckdragon

74

Norwegian Ridgeback

76

Smaug

78

Werewolf

80

Modern Monsters

Bigfoot

82

Hopkinsville Goblin

84

Jersey Devil

86

Loch Ness Monster

88

Reptoid Alien

90

Yeti

92

Yowie

94

Index

96

Contents

Introduction

6

Introduction

F

or as long as humans have had fears, there have been stories about monsters.

Some monsters were born of literature and myth—creatures such as Cyclops,

the Sphinx, and the Minotaur. For ancient people, these were not mere

fantasies, but real beliefs that haunted their lives. The citizens of Ancient Greece, for

example, believed they faced an afterlife meeting with the three-headed dog

Cerberus. In North America, Native Americans would tremble in fear

of the Thunderbird every time a storm slashed through the sky.

Legends of many ancient monsters survived to terrorize people born

hundreds of years later. The Basilisk, a lethal hybrid creature

first described 2,000 years ago by the Roman writer

Pliny, was still feared and encountered by the 16th

century

AD.

In 1587, a Basilisk was said to have

killed two young girls who were hiding in

their cellar in Poland.

But haven’t we moved on since then? Don’t

we know now that monsters are just products of

fantasy? Don’t be so sure. Several of the monsters in this

book are certainly figures of pure invention. King Kong was created for

cinema in 1933, and Godzilla has been a star of film and print for

more than 50 years. Yet, countless witnesses throughout

history have claimed that monsters are every bit as real as

you or me—they have seen them with their own eyes!

Thousands of people, for example, say they have seen

the Loch Ness Monster. Scientists still aren’t able to

explain the sightings and huge footprints of Bigfoot.

Reports of Reptoid aliens come from around the world.

And more than 1,000 people claimed to witness the

Jersey Devil in 1909.

All monster stories lurk somewhere between fantasy and reality. Everyone knows that

some creatures are pure myth, but people love to hear a good story! Oftentimes,

skeptics discredit modern monster stories by giving scientific explanations—

like Bigfoot is just a big ape. But what’s so wrong with believing? Thousands of

witnesses can’t all be lying, right? Don’t let the skeptics fool you. It’s human nature to

be interested in the unknown, and many people—even the nonbelievers—secretly want

to believe in these strange beasts.

EYES

Adapted to see in the dim

light of caves, the dragon’s

eyes are well suited for

watching over its hoard of

plundered treasure.

WINGS

Batlike wings attached to

the torso by robust muscles

lift the dragon in flight.

The bones within the wing

structure are hollow to

reduce their weight.

BODY

The dragon’s enormous body is

blackened by the soot of its own

flames. Its blue green scales glow

with inner fire.

JAWS

Its fiery breath lights the skies. Chain mail

provides no defense against its crushing jaws and

poisonous fangs. A reservoir of venom is located

in the upper jaw.

Beowulf’s Dragon

TAIL

The barbed tail

shaped like an

arrowhead can be

used as a weapon in

battle. In flight, the

tail operates like a rudder,

balancing the dragon and

allowing it to execute skillful

aerial maneuvers.

Did you know?

Where in the world?

Geatland, a region in the south of

Sweden, is where Beowulf met the

mighty dragon in battle. Geatland’s

deep forests provided the ideal

habitat for a fire drake.

Did you know?

BEOWULF STRIKES THE DRAGON WITH HIS SWORD,

but the blow glances off the beast’s

terrible hide. Beowulf is engulfed in dragon flames, a sight so terrifying that his army

flees. Only the faithful Wiglaf remains to help. Beowulf breaks off the blade of his magic

sword in the dragon’s head. Bitten on the neck by the dragon, Beowulf is soaked in his own

blood but continues fighting. Wiglaf stabs the dragon in a vulnerable place and Beowulf

slashes it through the middle, cutting the monster in two and ending its life.

●

Beowulf dies from his battle wounds. The dragon’s treasure is removed from the cave and buried

with Beowulf. All the pieces of the dragon’s corpse are thrown into the sea.

●

The dragon’s flames are so intense that they burn Wiglaf ’s shield down to its handle. Wooden

shields, such as the one Wiglaf used, are a poor choice when doing battle with a fire drake.

●

Beowulf carries an iron shield bearing the image of a dragon.

●

A dragon’s lightweight bones are tougher than reinforced concrete.

●

Smoke rising from the mouth of a cave is usually a telltale sign that a dragon resides within.

●

The dragon is the largest-known flying creature.

C

oiled in a cavern beneath a gray rock there is a terrifying

dragon—a fire drake measuring 50 ft. (15 m) long. The dragon

guards a lair filled with piles of priceless treasure. Its heavy

body blocks daylight from reaching the armor, goblets, jewels, coins, and

golden swords it hoards deep in the cave. When a thief steals a golden

cup from its lair, the dragon rampages through the countryside, burning

everything it sees. The fire drake

breathes flames that light up the

sky, terrifying villagers and burning

every home in Geatland. Beowulf,

King of the Geats, armed with a

magic sword, leads an army into

battle to face the dragon.

SWEDEN

SKIN

Some witnesses say the beast

has bare gray or blue skin,

others that it has scales or fur.

SPINES

These reportedly burst through the skin

of the monster’s head and back. Their

purpose is unknown, but they may offer

protection against enemies.

SIZE

Eyewitness accounts are muddled.

Estimates of the creature’s height

in the standing position vary from

3 ft. 3 in. (1 m) to 6 ft. 6 in. (2 m).

WINGS

The chupacabra is usually

said to have bat like wings

with a span up to 13 ft.

(4 m). A few reports say

it has no wings.

FANGS

Witnesses say the chupacabra’s

mouth bristles with great fangs.

Some say they are bright red.

CLAWS

The monster’s feet and

hands have huge, viciously

curved and wickedly sharp

claws for pinning down

helpless prey.

LEGS

These are long and muscular

for bounding 66 ft. (20 m) at

a stride when advancing on

prey. Strangely, the monster

never leaves footprints.

EYES

The size of hens’ eggs,

the big eyes glow an

alien red. Some

witnesses claim they

fire laser beams to

paralyze victims!

Chupacabra

Where in the world?

Did you know?

A

CHUPACABRA SWOOPS TOWARD A SMALL HERD OF GOATS  and drops silently between

the trees —a ragged silhouette against the night sky. Sensing danger, the goats shuffle

nervously, then start to bleat in panic as the monster strides toward them, moving

unnaturally fast on its long legs. Paralyzed by terror and the foul, sulfurous odor of the

chupacabra, the goats are helpless to flee. The monster seizes the nearest one with its claws,

plunges its huge fangs into the animal, and swiftly sucks out every last drop of blood. Goat

after goat, it drains the whole herd, then slips off in search of other prey—for a chupacabra’s

craving for blood is never satisfied. It leaves no tracks behind.

●

Two Brazilian fishermen claim they shot a chupacabra dead and still have its head—which they

refuse to let anyone examine.

●

The mayor of Canovanas, a town in Puerto Rico, leads chupacabra search parties, armed with

a crucifix and a gun. He also sets traps around the town in the hope of catching one of the

elusive creatures.

●

In 1996, a Mexican policeman opened fire on a chupacabra at close range—but his bullets had

no effect, and the monster escaped.

●

Attacks on humans are rare, but a nurse in Mexico reportedly lost an arm to the fangs

of a chupacabra.

A

modern menace of the Americas, this bloodsucking, bat-like

fiend is blamed by farmers and the authorities alike for the

brutal slaughter of pets and livestock. This multi-fanged,

many-spined, foul-smelling monster was first reported in 1995. It seeks

out its victims in the dark of night and preys on a range of farm and

domestic animals, sucking them

dry of blood – its name means

“goat-sucker,” after its first victim.

Some people say that the

chupacabra comes from outer

space, while others say it is the

result of US military experiments.

The chupacabra is known in

Central and South America. There

are also reports from the southern

states of the USA, including

California, Arizona, Texas and

Florida. Most sightings are from

Puerto Rico, an island 994 miles

(1600km) southeast of Florida.

PUERTO

RICO

TAILS

Seven wildly thrashing tails

render the dragon’s back end

as hazardous as his front.

BODY

The scaly body produces a reek of sulfur that

hangs around Gorynych like a sinister cloud.

WINGS

Although his great bulk prevents him

from flying quickly, Gorynych’s wings

allow him to descend in places where he

is least expected.

CLAWS

Iron claws rip knights’

suits of armor open as if

they were aluminum

cans.

Gorynych

HEADS

Three fanged, fire spitting

heads with terrible horns make

it impossible to approach

Gorynych. Six watchful eyes

and a heightened sense of smell

enable him to detect a maiden

from a mile (1.6 km) away.

Did you know?

Where in the world?

The fearsome seven-tailed

Gorynych is featured in folktales

and myths originating from Russia

and Ukraine.

IVAN, A PALACE GUARD who understands the speech of animals, overhears two crows

discussing where the princess is hidden. The czar gives Ivan a magic sword to help him

on his rescue mission. Nemal Chelovek’s fortress is unguarded because he believes no one

would dare approach him. Nemal Chelovek turns himself into a giant when he discovers Ivan

in his castle. The magic sword flies from Ivan’s hands, killing the giant, then flies through the

castle halls until it finds and slays Gorynych. Ivan marries the princess.

●

Gorynych caused eclipses of the Sun and Moon. The fact that they reappeared showed that

even a powerful dragon could not defeat the Sun and Moon. The Russians took this as a sign

that dragons can be defeated by the righteous.

●

Not all Slavic dragons are destructive. The Slovenian city of Ljubljana is protected by a dragon.

This benevolent dragon is pictured on the city’s coat of arms.

●

Dragon blood is so venomous that Earth does not absorb it.

●

There are no cave paintings of dragons because caves are a favorite residence of dragons. The

dragon residing in the cave would have driven all cave painters away.

●

A magic sword that enables the warrior to stand far away from the dragon is the ideal weapon

for battle with dragons.

T

his savage Russian dragon has three fire-spitting heads and

seven tails. Gorynych walks on his two hind legs and has two

small front legs, like a Tyrannosaurus rex. His iron claws can

slash through any shield or suit of armor. The air around Gorynych

reeks of sulfur, a sign of its evil. His uncle, the sorcerer Nemal

Chelovek, kidnaps the czar’s daughter and intends her to wed

Gorynych. The princess is

imprisoned in the sorcerer’s dark

mountain castle. Desperate to have

his daughter back, the czar offers a

huge reward to anyone who can

rescue the princess from the castle.

Many princes try and fail.

UKRAINE

RUSSIA

JAWS

Immense jaws open wide

enough to swallow a horse and