Fantasy creatures have been around for ages. The first ever fantasy creature that was recorded is the sphinx in Egypt. Fantasy creatures include vampires, werewolves, fairies, goblins, and cyclops.
Vampires or “Nosferatu” were discussed most in 1819 by way of the name Dracula, even though vampires were mentioned in ancient Greek books. Vampires are known for their pasty white skin and long teeth. Their fangs help penetrate the skin of their victims; the small groves inside the fangs help make the wound. If people assumed you were a vampire, you died in plenty of ways; it just depended on where you were during the medieval period. A fun fact about Dracula is that he was based on the prince of Wallachia – Vlad aka Dracula. Vlad the Impaler got his nickname Dracula from impaling people to streaks and the rumor that he drank his victim’s blood. Vampires symbolize the fear of death, cannibalism, and the unknown.
Fairies or “Faeries” were first recorded in 1485 in a book about the connection of realms. There are plenty of types of fairies – good and bad. Bad faeries are called “Wicked.” They are known for stealing, vandalizing, and even kidnapping. Wickeds are blamed for sick or dying livestock. Good faeries do not have a classified name. Good faeries make abundance in gardening and goodness.
Werewolves or “Lycanthropes” were introduced into mythology as far back as 2100 BC. Their bodies were big and muscular, and they had wolf-like faces, fur, and tails. Werewolves are originally human and transform into werewolves under the moonlight. They are a mutant combination of humans and wolves. Werewolves cannot contain their lust and need to kill humans and animals for no actual reason. When a human transforms into a werewolf, they have heightened senses, such as strength, speed, agility, smell, and razor-sharp claws. Werewolves symbolize the duality of humans as animals and spiritual beings.
Goblins have existed in mythology since the 14th century and have mainly been known as annoying creatures that harass and rob other creatures. They are grotesque fairies that are often mischievous or malicious. In Celtic mythology, goblins would tend to hang themselves on pots and pans of people’s houses, banging and making a commotion. At night, they would steal clothes from sleeping people and move furniture around at random. Goblins indicate that evil or mischievous spirits are around.
The Cyclops or “cyclopes” is a one-eyed rare species of troll that spans from a genetic mutation in their species. Cyclops go back to the mid-fifth century BC. Cyclops are strong compared to their troll counterparts, with them usually being a lot taller than trolls. Cyclops helped Zeus defeat the Titans and hindered Odysseus from getting home in time. Poseidon eventually stops Odysseus from getting home once more due to him killing his son Polyphemus, who was a Cyclops. Cyclops are considered a force of nature and are protective over the earth. Cyclops symbolize the forces of nature and how unpredictable they can be.
Over all fantastical creatures are still known today and many tales are still going around today.
