Mythological Creatures
Mythological Creatures
Monsters and “hybrids” (human-animal forms) also feature
prominently in the tales: the winged horse Pegasus, the horse-man
Centaur, the lion-woman Sphinx and the bird-woman Harpies, the
one-eyed giant Cyclops, manticores and unicorns, Gorgons, pygmies,
minotaurs, satyrs and dragons of all sorts. Many of these creatures
have become almost as well known as the gods, goddesses and
heroes who share their stories.
Common Mythological Creatures
Minotaur
Pegasus
Cyclops
Kraken
According to the Scandinavian
mythology, the Kraken is a giant
sea creature (said to be 1 mile
long) that attacks ships and is so
huge that its body could be
mistaken for an island.
Charybdis
• Charybdis (Greek mythology) is
one of several Greek monsters
that appeared in multiple
famous myths. She is often
known only in her most vicious
form - a swirling whirlpool of
death that swallowed
enormous amounts of water
and anything that got caught
in it.
Kappa
• In ancient Japanese folklore,
the Kappa is a water demon
that inhabits rivers and lakes
and devours disobedient little
children. The Kappa, a word
meaning ‘river child’, is
usually depicted with the body
of a tortoise, a beak, and the
limbs of a frog, and has a
hollow filled with water on top
of his head
Cerberus
• Cerberus (Greek mythology) is
best known as the guardian to
the gates of Hades (the
Underworld).
• In Greek mythology Cerberus is
depicted as a dog with three
ferocious heads and the tail of
a snake.
Hydra
• The nine-headed serpent who
grew two new heads for every
one that was cut off.
Chimera
• The Chimera, in mythology, is
a Greek monster with the body
and head of a lion with a snake
for a tail and a fire-breathing
goat head coming from its
back.
The majestic Griffin
• The griffin is a legendary
creature with the head and
wings of an eagle, and the
body, tail, and hind legs of a
lion. As the eagle was
considered the ‘king of the
birds’, and the lion the ‘king
of the beasts’, the griffin was
perceived as a powerful and
majestic creature.
Basilisk
Basilisk mythology describes this
"king of serpents" as a reptilian
creature with sometimes
rooster-like qualities who is
famous for its ability to kill with
a single glance.
Centaur
• Centaur mythology revolves
around half-horse / halfhuman creatures whose origin
is little understood.
Create your own Mythological
Creature
Process
1. Brainstorm the characteristics of your mythological creature.
Think about:
Physical Characteristics/appearance
Personality
Abilities
2. Once your brainstorm is complete, you will write a descriptive paragraph about
your creature. Make sure to include its appearance, its personality and its special
abilities.
3. Name your new creature
4. Draw your unique mythical creature in the box provided.
Rubric- How you will be graded
You will be graded on the following criteria.
Neatly drawn mythological creature that includes the body parts of at least three animals.
One complete paragraph that describes your creature’s appearance, personality and abilities.
Correct spelling and punctuation
Proper heading on back
/8
/5
/5
/2
Total
Comments:
/20
How to create your creature
• Write down a list of animals. They can be your favorite animals
or just animals you find particularly funny or fascinating. Next to
each animal, write down their most interesting features.
• Once you have a list, choose three of the animals to work with.
• For instance:
• Lion: Big mane, long tail with fluffy end, big paws
Gold fish: Flowy fish fins, bright color, scales
Lizard: Feet with nails, scales, long tail
Owl: Big eyes, short beak, wings, round body
• Now you look at the features and pick the ones you like the most
from each creature—but make sure they are not the same type of
body part.
Paragagraph- Think About
1. Does your creature serve 6. Is it singular or are there 11.Does your creature have
a particular role or
others?
magical powers or special
function? If so, what?
abilities? If so, what are
7. What is your creature’s
they?
2. What does your creature
diet?
look like?
12.Are there any famous
8. How does it
stories or historical
3. (Size? Color? Features?
communicate?
events in which your
Appendages? Eyes?Mouth? 9. How does it like to spend
creature was or is
Tail? Flippers? Fur?
its time?
involved?
Scales? Beak? Wings?
10.What are (3) adjectives 13.What else should we
Etc….)
to describe your
know about your fabulous
4. Where does your
creature’s personality
creature?
creature live?
and temperament?
5. What is its life span?