Monster Encyclopedia - F

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fylgia

Fylgia is a Norwegian shadow soul, often an individual's guardian spirit. They are usually invisible and take an animal form in dreams. On the rare occasion that they are seen by someone who is awake, it is an omen of death. Some legends imply that it is adoppelganger.

gargantua

The origin of the adjective 'gargantuan', this giant had a huge appetite. From medieval europe, this giant once ate five pilgrams as a salad.

garm

Sometimes depicted as a group of dogs, Garm was the dog that guarded the gate to hell in Norse mythology. Having four eyes and seen with blood spattered on it, the dog was very fierce and dangerous. Sometimes this dog has been compared to Cerberus, as both are ferocious dogs that guard the realm of hell in their respective mythologies.

garuda

Sometimes called Garida, it is probably the oldest of the great birds. Having many characteristics that are similar to the roc, the Garuda was capable of blocking out the sun with its body, and picking up elephants in it talons. It had an eagle's beak and wings with a human's body. His face was white, his wings scarlet and his body golden. Sometimes it was called the bird of life. This bird was the mount of Vishnu. Sometimes it was thought that this bird was the incarnation of the fire god because of how brightly it shone at birth. This bird was the dreaded enemy of the nagas.

geryon

It is said that Geryon was the strongest man alive, having three bodies joined at the waist, three heads and six arms and hands. He lived on the island of Erytheia beyond the pillars of Heracles, i.e. in the Atlantic, beyond the strait of Gibraltar. He had a herd of unique red cattle. One of the twelve labours of Heracles was to capture these cows and take them to Eurystheus. After doing this, Heracles was pursued by Geryon. Heracles killed Geryon by shooting an arrow that had been dipped in the blood of the hydra through all three of Geryon's bodies.

goblin

The term goblin is a collective noun for evil spirits like redcaps and bugbears. They are usually grotesque and misshappen but are of human form. They live in dark places and are of a very mischievous nature. It is said that their smile curdles the blood, and that their laugh causes milk to sour and causes fruit to fall off trees. Typically, they only cause slight inconveniences like nightmares, but at times they can be very dangerous.

golem

In Jewish legend the Golem is a man made of clay. It is said that the most famous Golem, created by Rabbi Judah Loew of Prague, was created to protect the Jewish people from persecution. To animate the Golem, a small tablet is placed under its tongue daily, and the Hebrew word Ameth (truth) is written on its forehead. To kill the Golem, the tablet had to be removed, and the word Ameth had to be changed to Meth (death) by erasing the first letter.

gorgon medusa

The Gorgons are three hideous sisters from Greek mythology. It is said that they live in the far west and are the offspring of sea-gods. Insead of hair, they have live snakes; their necks are covered with scales; they have tusks like a boar's, golden hands and bronze wings. It is said, that the Gorgon, Medusa, was once a beautiful maiden, but because of her boasting that she was even more beautful than Athena, the goddess of wisdom stripped her of all her beautiful qualities leaving her the hideous monster of infamy. Because of her appearance, Medusa has the power to turn anyone who gazes upon her to stone. Unlike her sisters though, Medusa is mortal, and is killed by Perseus with the aid of Athena and Hermes. Her sisters, the other gorgons, Stheno and Euryale, are immortal. The blood of the Gorgon had special powers. It was a lethal poison, but it also granted Erichthonius the power to reanimate the dead. From the blood of Medusa, it is said that the winged horse Pegasus was created. The decapitated head of Medusa was used by Perseus to kill the sea monster Cetus. He then gave the head to Athena who fixed it in the middle of her Ægis, her shield (or breastplate).

grendel

In the eighth century English epic called Beowulf, the monster Grendel is descibed. Grendel is a giant, half-man and half-monster. Every night Grendel would terrorize the hall of the Danish King Hrothgar, killing thiry of his men nightly. This started a terrible feud between Hrothgar's court and Grendel that would last many years. Each night the creature would return and murder and destroy and no one could stop him, as he was under an enchantment that made Grendel invulnerable to a sword. Eventually, Beowulf came to Hrothgar's court and swore that he would kill the beast. When Grendel arrived, Beowulf wrestled with the creature, eventually using great strength to rip Grendel's arm off. The arm was nailed up as a trophy in the court. Grendel retreated to his cave and died of the wound and of his great misery at the fact that he had lost his only pleasure: tormenting and killing those in Hrothgar's hall. After witnessing the death of her son, Grendel's mother, a beast scarcely less terrible than her son, a water-troll, determined to avenge her son. She came at night to the hall and tore down her son's arm. Beowulf followed her and saw her disappear into the waters of Dark Lake. He was attacked by serpents and brought to her cave. A terrible battle ensued and even though he had been terribly wounded by her claws, Beowulf killed Grendel's mother. Upon doing this, he noticed an enormus sword. This was the only sword that could harm Grendel. So he used it and lopped off the head of the creature and carried it back to the hall as a trophy.

gulon

The Gulon is a beast from Scandinavian legend. Is is described as a lion-hyena with the tail of a fox. It is said to have sharp claws. It is sometimes used as a symbol of gluttony.

gwyllion

Sometimes taking the form of goats, these Welsh female færies are hideous in appearance. They hide at roadsides, often making travelers become lost. They should be welcomed into a house or they can become offended and will cause mischief.

gytrash

This sprit from northern England haunts lonely roads awaiting travelers. Sometimes they take the shape of horses or dogs. Usually feared, they can also be benevolent, guiding lost travelers on the right road.

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