Mythology!

Calul Năzdrăvan

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Tradition / Region: Romanian Mythology
Alternative names: –
Category: Horse

The Myth

The Calul Năzdrăvan is a magical horse that appears throughout Romanian fairy tales. It serves both as a flying steed and as the wise adviser of the hero, guiding its rider through dangerous quests with intelligence and supernatural abilities.

When first encountered, the horse usually appears to be an old, weak, and worthless nag. Its true nature is only revealed after it is fed burning embers, which restore its hidden strength. Even then, the horse first tests its renewed power before taking flight.

The Calul Năzdrăvan possesses both magical wisdom and extraordinary abilities. It often carries enchanted objects hidden within its ears, such as a brush that becomes an impenetrable forest when thrown behind it, or a whetstone or ring that transforms into an impassable mountain or wall to block pursuing enemies.

Throughout the hero’s adventures, the horse performs many of the most difficult tasks. It provides advice, solves problems, and accomplishes feats beyond human ability. It can heat or cool an emperor’s bath with its breath, travel swiftly across the earth, fly through the air, and even pass between different realms. During battles against creatures such as dragons, Scorpia, and Ghionoaia, it maneuvers with great speed, placing its rider in the best position to defeat the enemy.

Some tales describe the magical horse eventually growing old after long service. Before it can no longer continue the journey, it advises its master to ride its younger brother instead, assuring the hero that the new horse will provide the same faithful guidance and supernatural assistance.

More than a simple mount, the Calul Năzdrăvan is the hero’s most trusted companion, combining unmatched speed, magical power, and wisdom throughout the quest.

Sources

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Calul năzdrăvan. In Wikipedia, enciclopedia liberă. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calul_n%C4%83zdr%C4%83van

Bo

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Tradition / Region: Chinese Mythology
Alternative names: Zibai
Category: Horse

The Myth

The Bo is a legendary beast recorded in the Classic of Mountains and Seas. It resembles a white horse with a black tail, a single horn on its head, tiger-like teeth, and sharp claws on all four feet. Its cry is said to sound like the beating of a drum.

Despite its horse-like appearance, the Bo is a fierce predator that hunts and devours tigers and leopards. Because of its extraordinary strength and fearsome nature, it was believed to possess the power to protect people from armies.

The Classic of Mountains and Seas places the creature on Mount Zhongqu, where it dwells among deposits of jade, gold, realgar, and white jade. Another passage also describes a similar white horse-like beast with saw-like teeth that preys upon tigers and leopards.

The Yi Zhou Shu refers to the same creature under the name Zibai, describing it as a white horse-like animal with saw-like teeth that feeds on tigers and leopards.

According to later folklore, the horn of the Bo resembled that of a rhinoceros and was believed to possess medicinal properties, particularly the ability to neutralize poison and cure illness.

Sources

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). 駮. In 维基百科，自由的百科全书. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%A7%AE

Bakotsu

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Tradition / Region: Japanese Mythology
Alternative names: Horse Bone
Category: Horse

The Myth

Bakotsu is a yōkai that appears in the Tosa Obake Zōshi (Tosa Ghost Scroll), an illustrated collection of supernatural creatures from Tosa Province.

According to the legend, Bakotsu is the transformed spirit of a horse that perished in a fire. After its death, the horse returned as a yōkai rather than passing on.

In the scroll, Bakotsu is depicted inside a mosquito net, calmly conversing with the keeper of an inn. Beyond its fiery death and ghostly transformation, little else is recorded about the creature, making it one of the more mysterious yōkai preserved in the Tosa Obake Zōshi.

Sources

TYZ. (n.d.). 馬骨 (Bakotsu). In 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1010654261.html

Beisht Kione Dhoo

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Tradition / Region: Manx Mythology
Alternative names: Beast of Black Head
Category: Horse, Sea dweller

The Myth

The Beisht Kione Dhoo, or the Beast of Black Head, is one of the most feared sea creatures in Manx folklore. It is said to dwell within the sea caves of Black Head, near Spanish Head at the southern tip of the Isle of Man.

Those who claim to have encountered the creature describe it as having the head of a large horse. Fishermen sailing near Spanish Head have reported hearing its terrifying roars echoing across the sea, and the beast is regarded as a dangerous presence capable of bringing disaster upon fishing vessels.

According to one tradition, the Beisht Kione Dhoo is the restless soul of a man murdered by pirates to guard a hidden treasure concealed within the caves of Black Head. Because of the fear surrounding the creature, no one is said to have attempted to recover the treasure.

To appease the beast and secure good fortune, offerings of rum were left in the caves at Spanish Head. Fishermen also threw a glass of rum into the sea before beginning their voyage, hoping the Beisht Kione Dhoo would spare them from harm and reward them with a plentiful catch.

Sources

A Book of Creatures. (2017, July 10). Beisht Kione Dhoo. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://abookofcreatures.com/2017/07/10/beisht-kione-dhoo/

Baki

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Tradition / Region: Japanese Mythology
Alternative names: Horse Demon (馬鬼, Baki)
Category: Horse

The Myth

Baki is a modern yōkai described by Ariyuki Sato in his Yokai Encyclopedia (1980). According to Sato, it is born from the curse of a horse that suffered cruel treatment at the hands of humans. After death, the animal’s resentment transforms it into a supernatural horse demon.

The creature is not based on an older traditional legend. Its illustration in the encyclopedia uses a still photograph of the Uma-oni from the 1968 Daiei films Yokai Hyaku Monogatari and Yokai Daisenso. However, that film monster was originally depicted as a prison guard and has no traditional connection to the yōkai called Baki.

For this reason, Baki is generally regarded as a modern yōkai created by Ariyuki Sato rather than a creature from classical Japanese folklore.

Sources

TYZ. (n.d.). バキ (Baki). In 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1010655032.html

Bái Lóngmǎ

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Tradition / Region: Chinese Mythology
Alternative names: White Dragon Horse, Jade Dragon, Yì Mǎ (Will Horse)
Category: Horse, Dragon

The Myth

The White Dragon Horse was originally the third son of Ao Run, the Dragon King of the Western Sea. After accidentally burning a sacred pearl bestowed by the Jade Emperor, he was sentenced to death. Guanyin Bodhisattva intervened, sparing his life and instructing him to wait at Eagle Sorrow Gorge for the monk Tang Sanzang, whose pilgrimage to India would become his path to redemption.

Before recognizing the monk, the dragon emerged from the river and devoured Tang Sanzang’s white horse. Guanyin then revealed his true purpose and ordered him to transform into a white horse to replace the one he had eaten. After shedding his dragon horns and scales, he became Tang Sanzang’s faithful mount, carrying the monk throughout the long journey to obtain the Buddhist scriptures.

Unlike Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing, the White Dragon Horse rarely fought. He quietly endured the hardships of the journey, serving with unwavering loyalty while transporting his master across mountains, rivers, and deserts.

His greatest act of heroism came when Tang Sanzang was captured by the Yellow-Robed Demon after Sun Wukong had been dismissed from the pilgrimage. Realizing that the entire quest would fail if he remained passive, the White Dragon Horse cast off his saddle, transformed back into his dragon form, and infiltrated the demon’s palace disguised as a palace maid. Although he was defeated and wounded in battle, he escaped and urged Zhu Bajie to seek out Sun Wukong and beg him to return, leading to Tang Sanzang’s rescue.

After the successful completion of the pilgrimage and the return with the sacred scriptures, the Buddha rewarded the White Dragon Horse for his faithful service by elevating him to the rank of Guangli Bodhisattva of the Eight Heavenly Dragons. He then regained his true dragon form in the Dragon Transformation Pool and took his place among the celestial dragon guardians of the Buddhist paradise.

Sources

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). 白龙马. In 维基百科，自由的百科全书. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%99%BD%E9%BE%99%E9%A9%AC

Arion

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Tradition / Region: Greek Mythology
Alternative names: Areion
Category: Horse

The Myth

Arion was a divine, black-maned horse renowned for its incredible speed, intelligence, and heavenly origin. It was considered one of the greatest horses in Greek mythology.

According to the most common tradition, Arion was born when the sea god Poseidon pursued Demeter as she searched the world for her abducted daughter Persephone. To escape him, Demeter transformed herself into a mare and hid among a herd of horses in Arcadia. Poseidon discovered her, became a stallion himself, and their union produced the immortal horse Arion. Other traditions instead claim Arion was born from Gaia (Earth) or from the West Wind Zephyrus and a Harpy.

Arion was eventually given to Heracles, who rode the divine horse during several of his campaigns, including his battle against Cycnus, the son of Ares, and his expedition against Elis. After these adventures, Heracles presented Arion to King Adrastus of Argos.

The horse became most famous during the legendary war of the Seven Against Thebes. Before the campaign, Arion won the horse race at the first Nemean Games, demonstrating his unmatched speed. When the expedition ended in disaster and every other Argive leader was killed, Arion alone succeeded in carrying Adrastus safely away from the battlefield, saving his master’s life through his extraordinary swiftness.

Ancient poets describe Arion as far more than an ordinary horse. He was said to be almost impossible to control in his youth, moving with the speed of the wind and even racing across the sea beside Poseidon’s divine steeds. Later, after years beside heroic riders, he became calmer while losing none of his supernatural speed.

Some traditions even attributed speech to Arion, placing him among the rare intelligent horses of Greek mythology. Throughout Greek literature he symbolizes divine favor, heroic endurance, and the miraculous bond between a legendary hero and an immortal steed.

Sources

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Arion (horse). In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arion_(horse)

Anggitay

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Tradition / Region: Philippines Mythology
Alternative names: –
Category: Horse

The Myth

The Anggitay is a mythical creature with the upper body of a woman and the lower body of a horse, making it the Philippine counterpart of the female centaur. Some depictions also give the Anggitay a single horn in the center of its forehead, resembling a unicorn.

According to tradition, the Anggitay is the female counterpart of the Tibalang. It is especially attracted to precious gemstones and jewelry.

The Anggitay is also believed to appear when rain falls while the sky remains clear, a phenomenon sometimes associated with its presence.

Sources

Bestiary.us. (n.d.). Anggitay. In New Bestiary: Encyclopedia of Imaginary Beings. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://www.bestiary.us/anggitai/en

Karkadann

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Tradition / Region: Persia, Arabia, India, Iran
Alternative names: Karkaddan, Kardunn, Karkadan, Karkend
Category: Horse

The Myth

The Karkadann is a legendary beast from Persian and Arabic tradition, originally based on the Indian rhinoceros but gradually transformed into a mythical creature resembling a unicorn.

Early descriptions portray it as a powerful animal with the body of a buffalo, thick black scaly skin, donkey-like ears, three-toed feet, and a single horn growing from its nose. Later traditions changed its appearance, giving it a long, straight horn growing from its forehead, making it increasingly resemble the unicorn of medieval legend.

The Karkadann was feared for its ferocity. It was said to attack and drive away even elephants, fiercely defending its territory. Despite its savage nature, it could be calmed and subdued by a virgin, a motif that later became closely associated with the European unicorn.

Its horn was believed to possess extraordinary medicinal powers. It could detect or neutralize poison, cure ailments such as epilepsy and lameness, relieve constipation, and serve as a powerful antidote against toxins. Because of these properties, the horn was highly prized and was sometimes fashioned into knife handles and other valuable objects.

In later Persian and Arabic folklore, the Karkadann became the mythical counterpart of the rhinoceros—a wild and dangerous beast whose miraculous horn combined immense destructive power with the ability to heal and protect.

Sources

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Karkadann. In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karkadann

Abada

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Tradition / Region: Congo Mythology
Alternative names: Nillekma, Arase
Category: Horse

The Myth

The Abada is a rare mythical beast from Kongo tradition, often compared to a unicorn, though it differs in one important respect: instead of a single horn, it bears two crooked horns. These horns possess remarkable healing powers and are believed to neutralize poison and cure disease.

The creature is about the size of a small donkey and has a sturdy body with the tail of a boar. Despite its unusual appearance, the Abada is not portrayed as a fearsome or majestic beast, but as one associated with endurance, healing, and survival.

According to tradition, the Abada appears during times of great hardship. It is encountered when travelers lose their way, when illness persists beyond ordinary remedies, or when danger quietly threatens a person’s life. Rather than confronting evil through violence, the Abada offers the possibility of recovery and restoration through the healing power of its horns.

The Abada symbolizes hope arriving when human strength is no longer enough. Instead of preventing suffering, it appears when suffering has reached its greatest point, embodying the belief that healing and assistance can emerge even in humanity’s darkest moments.

Sources

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Abada (unicorn). In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abada_(unicorn)