The Dark Side of Mythical Humanoid Monsters
In the shadowy recesses of human imagination, mythical humanoid monsters have long lingered. Since the dawn of language, creatures of a repellent nature have existed in all their abhorrent splendor. They are omnipresent and stretch every corner of the world. Straddling the line between the familiar and the fantastical, they offer not only spine-chilling stories but profound insights into the human condition. The complexity of ancient societies grappling with identity, morality, and the unknown is not so different than those of the modern age. More so, the monsters of the past feed the monsters of the present. In their myths and legends, a common thread is bound to be found.
The Epitome of Chaos: Giants
Tales of giants are by far the most prevalent throughout world cultures. The very basis of humanity, of the cosmos, depended on the work of giants. Although their hands forged civilizations, held the planet in place, or sacrificed their flesh to birth gods and humans, many were also treacherous creatures of absolute unmatched savagery. Towering over the puny, they lashed out with a maliciousness that defined their appallingly infamous shape and form. Ultimately, humans triumphed, but not without a formidable and catastrophic fight from those who once ruled the earth.
- Mythological Sea Serpents And Lake Monsters Versus Scientific Sharks And Surviving Dinosaurs
- Perseus and the Legendary Rescue of Andromeda: Slaying of a Dangerous Sea Monster
The monstrous Cyclops of Greek myth, descendants of the great titans, were known for their immense size, fearsome singular eyes, and supernatural abilities. Polyphemus, the most notable of the Cyclops, and encountered by Odysseus on his epic journey, was a foreboding figure who lurked within a cave. His brutish strength reduced the hero’s men to only a few, but like most heroes, Odysseus prevailed through clever trickery. In contrast to Polyphemus’s clumsy fiasco, Balor of the Evil Eye from Celtic mythology was a creature of pure devastation. Reigning over the Fomorians, a race of giants associated with the sea and chaos, his malevolent gaze, capable of unleashing devastating energy, killing anyone in its path, was the epithet of tyranny.
Odysseus in the cave of Polyphemus. By Jacob Jordaens between 1630-1635. (Public Domain)
In European folklore, ogres were depicted as gargantuan, grotesque beings, fond of human flesh. Prowling in desolate forests or mountains, they posed a sizable threat to travelers and villages alike. Believed to possess immense barbaric strength and cunning, they were dangerous adversaries to heroes in fairy tales. They were also portrayed as a bit dim-witted, similar to Polyphemus, but noticeably more revolting in appearance, with wilted faces and ill-shaped jaws. The Japanese ogre, the Oni, had a demonic appearance and was a master of dark magic. Oni were depicted with wild hair, sharp claws, and horns, wielding iron clubs called kanabo. Inhabiting remote mountains and ghostly places, they were menacing figures with a penchant for causing mischief and harm. Nevertheless, they were to some extent evoked for protection, as the red demons were notorious for chasing away other spiteful entities.
