Showing results for "Creature" in Customs & Traditions

Monsters, spirits, fantastic beings, and supernatural creatures haunt the folklore and popular culture of Japan. Broadly labeled yōkai, they appear in many forms, from tengu mountain goblins and kappa water sprites, to shape-shifting kitsune foxes and long-tongued ceiling-lickers. Popular today in anime, manga, film, and video games, many yōkai originated in local legends, folktales, and regional ghost stories. The Book of Yōkai invites listeners to examine how people create, transmit, and collect folklore, and how they make sense of the mysteries in the world around them.

From creation stories to timeless human emotions, A Beginner's Guide to Greek Mythology reveals universal themes, transforming complex myths into relatable narratives that will inspire and captivate listeners of all ages.

Traditional interpretations of the creatures of the Bible have sanded down their sharp, unsavory edges, transforming them into celestial beings of glory and light—or chubby, happy cherubs. Those cherubs? They're actually hybrid guardian monsters, more closely associated with the Egyptian sphinx than with flying babies. And the seraphim? Winged serpents sent to mete out God's vengeance. Demons aren't at war with angels; they're a distinct supernatural species used by Satan and by God. The pattern is chilling. Most of these monsters aren't God's opponents—they're God's entourage.

Discover the history and mythology of faeries—across time and cultures—as well as their significance in art, poetry, and more, in this lushly illustrated volume, featuring more than 100 reproductions of artistic masterpieces. Faeries have captured the collective imagination throughout time...

Embark on an epic journey into the captivating world of Norse mythology, where gods, goddesses, and mythical creatures come alive with rich detail and vibrant storytelling. Whether you're a curious newcomer or a seasoned enthusiast, this book offers a fresh, accessible gateway into the lore that shaped Viking heritage. Struggling to untangle the complexities of Odin, Thor, and Loki’s adventures? Overwhelmed by dry or overly dense texts? Norse Mythology Unleashed bridges the gap, combining accurate research with engaging narratives that breathe life into ancient tales.

Perché il Consiglio degli Dei ha deciso urgentemente di incatenare un lupo di ghiaccio? Perché Odino sceglie di perdere il suo occhio destro? E che cos'è quella creatura tanto grande e feroce da terrorizzare Thor, il più forte degli Dei? La mitologia norrena trae origine dalle leggende che si diffusero in epoca pre-cristiana e che vennero tramandate per secoli dai popoli che abitavano la Scandinavia, fino a poi arrivare ad essere influenzata dalle gesta dei sanguinari, quanto conquistatori Vichinghi.

Our world is a strange place. This haunting book peers into the dark spaces that lie somewhere between belief and imagination, and into the weird stories we tell to make sense of where and who we are.