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Knucker

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Tradition: English Mythology
Alternative Names: Knucker, Knucker Dragon
Category: Dragon

The Myth

The Knucker is a winged water dragon said to live in deep pools known as knuckerholes in Sussex, England. It is sometimes described as a sea serpent, with a gigantic slithering body, cold sea-serpent-like eyes, and a deadly hissing mouth.

The most famous Knucker lived at Lyminster. It caused great trouble by devouring local livestock and even villagers, so the people decided that the monster had to be killed.

In one legend, the King of Sussex offered his daughter’s hand in marriage to whoever could slay the dragon. A knight-errant accepted the challenge and killed the beast. He married the princess and settled at Lyminster. His gravestone, known as the Slayer’s Slab, was said to remain at Lyminster Church.

Another legend tells that the Knucker was defeated by a local farmer’s boy named Jim Pulk, or Jim Puttock, who was said in some versions to have come from Wick. The Mayor of Arundel had offered a reward for killing the dragon. The boy prepared a gigantic poisoned pie and transported it to the Knuckerhole on a horse and cart.

The Knucker devoured the entire offering, including the horse and cart, and eventually died from the poison. Jim returned and cut off its head. In some versions, however, Jim himself later died from the poison he had used against the dragon. This death may have been added to explain the Slayer’s Slab.

Knuckers were believed to inhabit knuckerholes in several places across Sussex, including Binsted, Lyminster, Lancing, Shoreham, and Worthing. A knuckerhole was believed to be an extraordinarily deep, round pool, sometimes considered to be bottomless.

The Lyminster knuckerhole was actually only about thirty feet deep, but local legend claimed that the villagers once tied together all six bell ropes from the church tower and lowered them into the pool without reaching its bottom.

Sources

“Knucker.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed September 19, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knucker

Jidiao

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Tradition: Chinese mythology
Alternative Names: Jidiao, 吉弔
Category: Dragon, Turtle

The Myth

Jidiao has the body and shell of a turtle, but its head resembles that of a dragon or snake. Its legs resemble the feet of a bird, with four toes. It is an aquatic creature, though it can also live among trees.

Jidiao is said to live in southern China, particularly around Guangdong and Guangxi, and in areas near the border with Vietnam. It inhabits places near water as well as forests.

According to one tradition, when a dragon lays eggs, it produces two eggs. One hatches into a dragon, while the other becomes a Jidiao. Another account says that a dragon produces three eggs, one of which becomes a Jidiao.

The Jidiao has an unusually long head and tail, so that they cannot both be withdrawn completely into its turtle shell.

Ancient accounts also describe a special fat or oil obtained from the Jidiao. This substance was said to be extremely light and capable of penetrating materials more effectively than clarified butter. It was collected in containers, with eggshells said to be the only vessels that would not allow it to leak through. The fat was used medicinally against poisonous swellings and injuries caused by leeches.

Sources

“吉弔 (Jídiào).” Chinese Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed September 19, 2026. https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%90%89%E5%BC%94

Colchis Dragon

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Tradition: Greek mythology
Alternative Names: Colchian Dragon, Dragon of the Golden Fleece
Category: Dragon

The Myth

The Colchis Dragon was a sleepless dragon that guarded the Golden Fleece in Colchis. It watched over the fleece belonging to King Aeetes, which had been given to him by Phrixus.

Jason arrived in Colchis seeking the Golden Fleece. Aeetes promised to give it to him, but only if Jason completed three difficult tasks. Jason became discouraged when he heard what was required, but Medea, the daughter of Aeetes, had fallen in love with him after Hera persuaded Aphrodite to have Eros cause her to love him. Medea therefore decided to help Jason.

Jason first had to yoke and plow a field using the Khalkotauroi, fire-breathing oxen. Medea gave him an ointment that protected him from their flames. He then sowed dragon’s teeth into the field. The teeth grew into an army of warriors, the Spartoi. Medea had warned Jason about them and told him how to defeat them. Jason threw a rock among the warriors, causing them to attack one another until they had destroyed themselves.

His final task was to overcome the sleepless dragon guarding the Golden Fleece. Medea gave Jason a potion made from herbs, which he sprayed upon the dragon. The potion caused the dragon to fall asleep.

With the dragon asleep, Jason seized the Golden Fleece and escaped with Medea. The two sailed away while Medea distracted her father, Aeetes, who pursued them. Medea killed her brother Apsyrtus and threw pieces of his body into the sea, forcing Aeetes to stop and gather them. In another version, Medea lured Apsyrtus into a trap, where Jason killed him and buried his body after cutting off his fingers and toes. Jason and Medea ultimately escaped.

Sources

“Jason.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed September 19, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason#The_arrival_in_Colchis

Zilant

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Tradition: Tatar and Russian Mythology
Alternative Names: Zilant, Zilant the Flying Serpent
Category: Dragon, Cow

The Myth

Zilant was a two-headed flying serpent. One head was that of a snake, while the other was that of an ox. With the snake’s head, it devoured young horses and beautiful maidens brought to it as sacrifices. With the ox’s head, it ate grass.

According to legend, the site of Kazan was once inhabited by countless snakes, each as thick as a log. Zilant was their leader. The snakes became such a danger that the people sought a way to destroy them.

The Khan consulted the sorcerer Hakim, who advised him to cut down the surrounding forest and brush and gather it into a great pile of straw. In spring, when everything had dried and the snakes had crawled out from beneath the ground, the straw was to be burned.

The plan was carried out. The snakes were surrounded by the blazing fire and burned alive. The flames and smoke were so intense that people, horses, and camels died from them.

After the destruction of the snakes, the Khan placed Zilant on his coat of arms to commemorate the event.

The image of Zilant later became associated with Kazan and was depicted as a black winged dragon with scarlet wings and tail, a golden beak and claws, and a scarlet tongue. The creature became an enduring symbol of the city.

Sources

“Ostrovetskii Tsmok.” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). Accessed September 19, 2026. https://www.bestiary.us/ostrovetskii-tsmok

Ostrovets Tsmok

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Tradition: Belarusian Mythology, Lithuanian Mythology
Alternative Names: Ostrovets Tsmok, Tsmok
Category: Dragon, Cow

The Myth

The Ostrovets Tsmok has the body of a snake and the head of a cow. It is a strong and frightening creature, with a large body and horns resembling those of a cow. The Tsmok lives in forests and underground burrows, and is associated with hidden places, rivers, caves, and buried treasures.

The most famous Ostrovets Tsmok comes from the village of Voleikiški in the Ostrovets district. It was said to live in ancient times in a remote forest near the village. One legend says that it was a very kind creature, despite its frightening appearance. It helped people who were poor, and it was said to have guarded treasure hidden underground.

Another tradition says that the Tsmok was a dangerous creature. It lived in a forest or underground and would sometimes emerge from its burrow. People were warned not to approach it. Some stories describe a red snake living beneath the ground, with one such creature inhabiting each forest.

One local story tells of children who were forbidden to swim in the Viliya because a cow-headed creature lived there. The Tsmok was said to emerge from the water and suck the blood of swimmers.

Other stories connect the Tsmok with cattle. In one tale, a child was herding cows when he suddenly heard a sharp mooing sound. He followed the sound and discovered that one of the cows had a strange bite on its lip. No one could explain what had bitten it.

The Tsmok was also associated with hidden treasure. One legend says that gold was concealed beneath a pile of stones in the forest. The treasure was guarded by a Tsmok, which frightened away anyone who attempted to retrieve it. People said that whoever was brave enough to defeat the Tsmok could take the treasure.

The creature was particularly associated with underground places. Stories describe Tsmoks living in burrows and caves, sometimes hiding beneath hills or near rivers. One tradition even says that Tsmoks could construct stone barriers in rivers, marking dangerous shallows and places where the water was difficult to cross.

The Ostrovets Tsmok was therefore connected with both the natural landscape and the hidden world beneath it: forests, rivers, underground passages, buried treasure, cattle, and dangerous places.

Sources

“Ostrovetskii Tsmok.” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). Accessed September 19, 2026. https://www.bestiary.us/ostrovetskii-tsmok

Bifron

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Tradition: French Mythology
Alternative Names: Bifron
Category: Demon

The Myth

Bifron appears in the form of a monstrous creature. When he takes human form, he makes people knowledgeable in astrology and teaches them the secrets of geometry. He also knows the virtues of herbs, stones, and precious plants.

Bifron transports corpses from one place to another and can move the remains of the dead. He has also been seen lighting torches on the tombs of the dead.

Bifron commands twenty-six legions of demons.

Sources

Collin de Plancy, Jacques Albin Simon. Dictionnaire infernal: répertoire universel des êtres, des personnages, des livres, des faits et des choses qui tiennent aux apparitions, aux divinations, à la magie, au commerce de l’enfer, aux démons, aux sorciers, aux sciences occultes, etc. 4th ed. Paris: Chez Tous Les Libraires, 1845.

Jusuheru

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Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: Jusuheru, Jusher, Djosferatu
Category: Demon

The Myth

Jusuheru was one of the seven leaders of the tens of thousands of angels created by Deus, the God of Heaven. He possessed a rank of 100 marks and an appearance of 32 marks. Jusuheru had a long nose, a wide mouth, scales on his hands and feet, and horns, giving him a terrifying appearance.

Deus created heaven and earth, the twelve heavens, the sun, moon, and stars, and summoned tens of thousands of angels. He later created the first humans, Domeigosu no Adan and Domeigosu no Ewa, from earth, water, fire, wind, tide, oil, and his own bones and flesh. Adam and Eve lived in Koroteru, the mortal world, but went to Baraiso, heaven, each day to worship Deus. They had two children, Chikoro and Tanho.

One day, while Deus was away, Jusuheru gathered the tens of thousands of angels and declared that he was equal to the Emperor of Heaven and that they should worship him instead. The angels began to worship Jusuheru. When Adam and Eve were asked to worship him as well, they refused, insisting that they worshipped Deus.

When Deus returned, Adam, Eve, and the angels bowed before him. Their remorse over what had happened became the origin of the orasho called “Koukai Konchirisan.” Deus warned Adam and Eve that although they might bow before Jusuheru, they must never eat the fruit of the Masan tree.

Jusuheru then descended to Koroteru to deceive them. He took fruit from the Masan tree and went to Adam and Eve. Adam was absent, serving at the gate of Baraiso, so Jusuheru approached Eve alone. He claimed to be a messenger from Deus and showed her the fruit.

Eve recognized it as the forbidden fruit and asked whether she was really allowed to eat it. Jusuheru deceived her, saying that the nuts belonged to both God and himself, and that eating them would make them like God. Eve accepted the nuts and ate them. When Adam returned, she told him what had happened and gave him the nuts. Although suspicious, Adam also ate them.

Jusuheru pretended to leave but remained nearby, watching them from the shadows. Soon Deus revealed to Adam that the nuts were evil. Adam tried to spit them out, but the nuts became stuck in his throat. As a result, Adam and Eve lost the pleasures of heaven.

The couple cried out toward heaven and fell to the ground, shedding tears of blood and deeply regretting what they had done. Their lamentation became the beginning of the “Ka no Orassho.” They begged Deus to allow them to experience heavenly pleasure once more, but Deus told them that if they did so, they would regret their actions for more than 400 years.

Adam and Eve’s descendants therefore remained in the mortal world. They ate animals, worshipped the moon and stars, and lived with the memory and regret of their fall.

Jusuheru himself then bowed before Deus and begged to experience heavenly pleasure again. He claimed that his evil heart had caused his terrible condition and feared what would happen to him. His plea was rejected, and he was banished from heaven.

Because Eve’s descendants were now living in the mortal world, Jusuheru was given a rank of ten marks and descended to the middle heaven, where he became the god of thunder. The angels who had worshipped him were likewise cast down and became tengu.

Later, as Eve’s descendants multiplied, three evil beings appeared: Unyoku, representing the desire for fortune, Greed, and Selfishness. They stole the food of good people. Deus became angry and bound the three together. They became a terrifying creature with three faces, each bearing horns, but continued their wickedness. Deus eventually kicked them to the bottom of the sea and commanded them to become tengu.

Their monstrous transformation was believed to have been caused by Jusuheru.

Sources

Takahashi, Toshihiro. “じゅすへる (Jusuheru).” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). December 13, 2014. https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1015477601.html

Muteikai Daiinjo-o

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Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: Muteikai Daiinjo-o, Bottomless Sea Great Yin Queen, Hiesto
Category: Demon

The Myth

Muteikai Daiinjo-o, the Bottomless Sea Great Yin Queen, is a demon queen of the demon world. She has a red face, blue lips, reddish-black hair resembling a palm tree, and a tall, thin body approximately seven feet in height.

She is one of the demon kings mentioned in Memorandum of Other Worlds. She appears after the first demon king, the Great Creator Queen.

Muteikai Daiinjo-o is also known as Hiesto. According to the hermit Kawatan, who was the teacher of the author, she possesses roughly one hundred times the power of an ordinary god. Her power is said to be comparable to that of the Great Creator Queen.

Sources

Takahashi, Toshihiro. “無底海大陰女王 [むていかいだいいんじょおう] (Muteikai Daiinjo-o).” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). December 2, 2017. https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1068700857.html

Narechnici

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Tradition: Macedonian Mythology
Alternative Names: Narechnici, Наречници
Category: Demon

The Myth

Narechnici are three demonic women who possess the power to predict the destiny of a newborn child. They arrive on the third night after the child’s birth to determine or pronounce its fate.

The Narechnici are sometimes described as three sisters. Two of them are evil and pronounce harmful curses upon the child, while the youngest sister is good and undoes the evil curses of her two older sisters.

Sources

“Macedonian Slavic mythology.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed September 12, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macedonian_Slavic_mythology