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Reus te Hammen

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Tradition / Region: Belgian Mythology
Alternate Names: Giant of Hamme
Category: Giant

The Myth

The Reus te Hammen refers to a legendary giant or giants associated with the town of Hamme in Flanders. The most tangible element of the legend is a massive bone kept in the local church, believed by the people to be the thigh bone of a giant.

According to tradition, this enormous bone was pulled from the river Durme long ago and preserved in the church, where it came to be treated almost like a sacred relic. Its unusual size reinforced the belief that giants once lived in the region.

Older accounts speak of two giants who lived on opposite sides of the river. They argued over who was taller and went to prove their size by reaching the roof of a church under construction, each able to place stones without the need for scaffolding.

In other versions, there were three giants who built a church in Hamme themselves, their height allowing them to work directly at roof level. One of them was said to cross the river simply by walking through it, unaffected by its depth.

Local traditions also preserve traces of their presence in the landscape. Certain paths and features, such as “giants’ roads,” were believed to mark where they once moved, and these places were treated with caution and respect.

The giant of Hamme was not just a distant myth but a figure tied to physical evidence, local geography, and enduring popular belief, linking the land, the people, and the memory of beings of immense size who once walked there.

Sources

de Cock, A. (1921). Vlaamsche sagen uit den volksmond. In Amsterdam: Maatschappij voor goede en goedkoope lectuur p. 154.

Gort Dev

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Tradition / Region: Armenian Mythology
Alternate Names: —
Category: Toad

The Myth

The Gort Dev is a toad-like demonic being in Armenian belief, associated with night, disease, and harmful forces. It is linked to the broader class of dark creatures connected with evil powers and is regarded as unclean and dangerous.

Toads were seen as part of a group of evil animals that act especially at night, alongside snakes, scorpions, ants, and other harmful creatures. These beings were believed to pursue humans in darkness, either alone or together.

The Gort Dev was specifically associated with illness. It was thought to cause warts on the hands and was considered responsible for certain physical afflictions. Because of this, it was not to be killed with a stone.

Encounters with it required protective actions. When a person saw a toad, especially at night, they would spit on their hands and feet as a way to guard against its harmful effects and against other evil beings.

It was also believed that seeing a toad could cause harm to the body, such as making a person lose their teeth, which is why one was expected to immediately close the mouth upon seeing it.

Sources

Abeghyan, M. (1899). Der armenische Volksglaube (English translation: Armenian Folk Beliefs). In Leipzig. Translated by Bedrosian, R. p. 25.

Torx

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Tradition / Region: Armenian Mythology
Alternate Names: Torch
Category: Giant

The Myth

Torch is a powerful giant-like being in Armenian mythology, associated with a class of supernatural craftsmen similar to dwarfs and ancient smith-spirits. He is known for great strength as well as skill in crafting and working materials.

He was described as having a massive and rough body, an ugly face, a flat nose, and deep-set, harsh eyes. He belonged to a race connected to ancient beings of great physical power and was believed to dwell in the western regions of Armenia, near the Black Sea.

Torch was renowned not only for his strength but also for his ability as a craftsman. He could shape hard stone, smoothing it and carving figures into it with his fingernails, and was known as both an artisan and an artist.

In one account, he encountered his enemies on the shores of the Black Sea. At the sight of him, they fled by ship and put great distance between themselves and the giant. Torch responded by hurling enormous rocks toward them. The stones struck the sea with such force that some ships were swallowed by the waters, while others were driven far away by the waves caused by the impact.

Sources

Ananikian, M. H. (1925). Armenian Mythology. In The Mythology of All Races, Vol. 7. Published by the Archaeological Institute of America p. 85-86.

Nhang

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Tradition / Region: Armenian Mythology
Alternate Names: —
Category: Water spirit, Demonic being

The Myth

The Nhang is a malevolent water spirit in Armenian mythology, associated with rivers and deep waters. Although the word originally meant “crocodile,” it came to refer to a supernatural being believed to inhabit certain waterways.

These spirits were said to dwell in specific rivers, including the Euphrates and the river Aragani, where they remained and caused harm. They were regarded as incorporeal beings rather than ordinary animals.

The Nhang could take different forms. At times it appeared as a woman in the water, resembling a mermaid-like figure. At other times it took the shape of a seal-like creature that attacked swimmers, seizing them by the feet and dragging them beneath the surface.

It was also said to prey on animals, feeding in a blood-drinking manner and leaving them dead afterward.

Its nature was not clearly defined in tradition, as some described it as a beast while others considered it a type of Dev.

Sources

Ananikian, M. H. (1925). Armenian Mythology. In The Mythology of All Races, Vol. 7. Published by the Archaeological Institute of America p. 89-90.

Phlachal

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Tradition / Region: Armenian Mythology
Alternate Names: Elephant-Goat
Category: Sheep, Elephant, Hybrid

The Myth

The Phlachal is a rare and obscure creature in Armenian mythology, described simply as an “elephant-goat.” It belongs to a class of chimeric beings—monsters formed by combining traits of different animals.

Very little detailed information survives about the Phlachal, but its name suggests a hybrid of immense size and unnatural composition, likely blending the strength and mass of an elephant with the agility or form of a goat. Like other chimeras in regional folklore, it would have been perceived as unnatural and unsettling.

It appears in the same context as other hybrid creatures such as the sea-bull, indicating that it was part of a broader mythological tradition of monstrous animals that defied natural order. These beings were often associated with fear, unpredictability, and the boundaries between land, sea, and the supernatural.

Sources

Ananikian, M. H. (1925). Armenian Mythology. In The Mythology of All Races, Vol. 7. Published by the Archaeological Institute of America p. 92.

Kaches

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Tradition / Region: Armenian Mythology
Alternate Names: Devs (popular belief), “The Brave Ones”
Category: Fairy

The Myth

The Kaches are incorporeal spirits in Armenian mythology, forming a link between dragons and the later concept of Devs. Their name, meaning “the brave ones,” is a euphemistic title used to appease them, reflecting a common tradition of referring to dangerous spirits with respectful names.

They are similar to European fairies or kobolds—unpredictable supernatural beings that are not inherently evil but can be harmful. Though considered good in essence by some traditions, they were often instruments of punishment or misfortune.

Kaches were believed to inhabit stony and mountainous places, especially Mount Massis, though they could appear almost anywhere. Many locations were associated with them, indicating a widespread belief in their presence across the landscape.

Like dragons, they were said to have palaces in high or remote places. They were also connected to legendary figures, holding captives such as Artavazd, Alexander the Great, and King Erwand in hidden or supernatural realms.

Their behavior closely resembled that of wild or primitive communities. They hunted, waged wars, and lived in organized groups. At the same time, they interfered with human life by stealing grain and wine, disrupting agriculture, and causing hardship.

They could also be directly hostile. People believed they beat, dragged, or tormented humans, sometimes driving them to madness through their influence.

Kaches were associated with magic and occult practices. Practitioners of magic were said to travel to them, even across water, to gain knowledge or serve them, suggesting that these spirits acted as hidden masters of forbidden knowledge.

They were also known for music. Their singing could be heard by humans, reinforcing their connection to other fairy-like beings in global folklore.

Overall, the Kaches represent a class of elusive and ambivalent spirits—neither fully benevolent nor entirely malevolent—existing between the natural and supernatural worlds, and deeply embedded in the mythological landscape of Armenia.

Sources

Ananikian, M. H. (1925). Armenian Mythology. In The Mythology of All Races, Vol. 7. Published by the Archaeological Institute of America p. 77–79.

Urvakan

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Tradition / Region: Armenian Mythology
Alternate Names: Ghost, Phantom (from “uru”)
Category: Ghost

The Myth

The Urvakan is a ghostly being in Armenian belief, representing the spirit of a deceased person after death. The term derives from an older word meaning soul or phantom, which over time came to signify a visible or perceptible ghost.

In early Armenian thought, a human being consisted of a body and a soul, the latter originally understood as “breath.” At death, this soul was believed to leave the body—often imagined as exiting through the mouth in a painful process—becoming a separate, wandering entity.

After death, the Urvakan did not immediately depart to another realm. It remained near the body until burial, lingering in a transitional state between the living world and the afterlife. This period was considered dangerous and sacred, which is why candles and incense were used around the corpse—to protect the spirit and ward off harmful influences.

These ghostly beings were not merely feared but also, in earlier times, received forms of reverence or worship. The existence of the term for “ghost-worshippers” indicates that the Urvakan once held a recognized place in spiritual practices, possibly linked to ancestor veneration.

The Urvakan reflects a broader fatalistic worldview in which human life was tied to cosmic forces. The soul itself was sometimes associated with stars, and it was believed that when a star fell, a human life ended—suggesting a deep connection between human existence and the heavens.

Though not always malevolent, the Urvakan inspired fear and respect. The presence of the dead was considered polluting and powerful, requiring ritual care. Improper handling of death or burial could disturb the spirit, potentially leaving it restless.

Overall, the Urvakan embodies the Armenian conception of the soul after death: a lingering, perceptible presence caught between worlds, shaped by ritual, belief, and the cosmic order governing human fate.

Sources

Ananikian, M. H. (1925). Armenian Mythology. In The Mythology of All Races, Vol. 7. Published by the Archaeological Institute of America p. 94.

Dragon Children

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Tradition / Region: Armenian Mythology
Alternate Names: Brood of the Vishap, Dragon offspring
Category: Dragon, Hybrid

The Myth

The Dragon Children are the offspring or brood of the Vishap, the great dragons of Armenian mythology. They are described as uncanny beings that exist between human and dragon, combining physical presence with ghostly and demonic traits.

These beings were believed to dwell around Mount Massis, the sacred mountain strongly associated with dragons. They lived near their parent creatures in hidden ravines, mountain palaces, and remote regions, forming a kind of extended dragon lineage or tribe.

In some traditions, they were not purely monstrous but could appear human or semi-human, suggesting that they were born from unions between dragons and human women. This gave rise to the idea of dragon-born individuals—people with unnatural origins, often marked by strange behavior, magical abilities, or a sinister nature.

The Dragon Children were closely linked to witchcraft and supernatural knowledge. They were said to possess skill in magic and deception, and their presence among humans often brought unease. Some were thought to infiltrate human society, living among people while hiding their true nature.

A particularly feared trait was their connection to changelings. Like their dragon parents, they were believed to steal human children and replace them with one of their own kind—offspring that appeared human but behaved wickedly and unnaturally.

Historical and legendary figures were sometimes associated with this lineage. Individuals of strange origin or destructive character were believed to have dragon ancestry, reinforcing the idea that the Dragon Children could influence human bloodlines.

Despite their danger, they were not purely chaotic monsters. Their behavior reflected a primitive, almost human way of life—they hunted, set traps, and lived in organized groups, much like early human societies. This blurred the boundary between monster and being.

Overall, the Dragon Children represent a disturbing and complex concept: a race born from dragons, existing between worlds, capable of blending into humanity while carrying the power, cunning, and danger of their ancient lineage.

Sources

Ananikian, M. H. (1925). Armenian Mythology. In The Mythology of All Races, Vol. 7. Published by the Archaeological Institute of America p. 77–79.

Vishap

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Tradition / Region: Armenian Mythology
Alternate Names: Dragon, Vishap (from Persian, “poisonous”)
Category: Dragon

The Myth

The Vishap is a dragon-like being of Armenian mythology, often envisioned as a gigantic serpent or monstrous creature associated with mountains, especially Mount Massis. It is both a physical and supernatural entity, combining traits of beasts, spirits, and demons.

These dragons were believed to dwell in remote and dangerous places such as high mountain ravines, volcanic regions, and deep waters. Their connection to Mount Massis was especially strong, where eruptions, smoke, and fire reinforced their image as destructive and fearsome beings.

Vishaps were intelligent and magical creatures capable of shape-shifting, often appearing as humans or serpents. Despite their monstrous nature, they were not purely evil. While dangerous and sometimes hostile, they also possessed qualities that made them part of a broader mythological balance rather than absolute embodiments of evil.

They were known to abduct humans, especially children, sometimes replacing them with strange offspring of their own kind. In certain legends, they formed relationships with humans, suggesting the existence of dragon-born lineages or hybrid beings with supernatural abilities.

Vishaps also had strong ties to fertility and natural forces. They were said to steal milk from livestock and carry away crops, linking them to both abundance and loss. Their presence could disrupt human life, yet also indicated a deep connection to the cycles of nature.

In heroic mythology, they served as adversaries to divine or semi-divine figures. The god Vahagn, associated with fire and lightning, was known as a slayer of dragons, battling Vishaps in a role similar to storm gods defeating forces of chaos and drought.

They were believed to possess powerful talismans, such as serpent stones, and to have poisonous breath or essence. Their voices were terrifying, and their sheer size made them overwhelming to encounter.

Overall, the Vishap represents a complex dragon figure—part natural force, part demon, part ancient being—feared by humans but deeply embedded in the mythological landscape of Armenia.

Sources

Ananikian, M. H. (1925). Armenian Mythology. In The Mythology of All Races, Vol. 7. Published by the Archaeological Institute of America p. 77–79.

Shahapet

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Tradition / Region: Armenian Mythology
Alternate Names: Shvaz, Shvod
Category: Snake, Spirit

The Myth

The Shahapet is a serpent-ghost, a guardian spirit tied to specific places such as fields, forests, mountains, homes, and especially graveyards. It can appear either as a snake or in human form, but its serpent aspect is the most common and deeply rooted.

In its role as a household spirit, the Shahapet was believed to be an ancestral presence, watching over the home and ensuring prosperity. When respected, it brought protection, fertility, and sometimes even wealth. However, if angered or driven away improperly, it could bring misfortune, poverty, and disorder upon the household.

The same spirit also existed beyond the home. As Shvaz, it guarded agricultural lands and was connected to seasonal cycles, appearing particularly in spring when farming resumed. As Shvod, it remained within the house, acting as a domestic guardian feared especially by children.

A unique ritual marked its transition between these roles. At the end of winter, villagers performed a ceremony to drive the household spirit out into the fields so it could aid agricultural work. They struck the walls of their homes, shouting for the spirit to leave, while placing water at the threshold to help guide its departure. Though forced away, the spirit was believed to labor in the fields and later return.

The Shahapet was not inherently malevolent. It was protective and beneficial by nature, but highly sensitive to human behavior. Hospitality, respect, and proper ritual ensured its favor. Neglect or disrespect, however, could transform it into a source of harm.

In some traditions, larger territorial serpent-spirits guarded entire regions, distinguishing between locals and outsiders—protecting their own while attacking strangers.

Overall, the Shahapet represents a complex fusion of ancestral ghost, land spirit, and protective serpent, deeply tied to both the home and the cycle of life, death, and fertility.

Sources

Ananikian, M. H. (1925). Armenian Mythology. In The Mythology of All Races, Vol. 7. Published by the Archaeological Institute of America p. 74-75.