15 Spectacular Mythological Beasts Illustrations

15 Spectacular Mythological Beasts Illustrations.

I have been always a fan of mythological creatures and the way they are presented in japanese anime series. So i thought of making a collection with a lilttle available overview of them. Hope you like it and enjoy.
All artworks are gathered from Deviant Art and Properly Linked back. To go to artists profile click on their name, to go to artwork click on artwork name and to see full view click on the image.

The Criosphinx by ~Vyrilien

The Criosphinx

The Sphinx is a traditional monster with the body of a lion, and the head of either a human, falcon or ram invented by the Egyptians of the Old Kingdom, before being imported in Greek mythology. The name sphinx comes from the Greek sphiggein Σφινξ — Sphinx, apparently from the verb σφινγω — sphingo, meaning ‘to draw tight’ or more loosly translated: ‘to strangle’.

Nine-tailed Fox

The Nine-tailed fox – 九尾狐

In Japanese folklore it is believed that foxes -or ‘kitsune’ as they are also called- are intelligent beings and possess magical abilities.

The more tails a kitsune has the older, wiser, and more powerful it is. In some folktales it is said that a kitsune will only grow an additional tail when it has lived for 1000 years. When a kitsune grows its ninth tail, its fur becomes golden or white. These nine-tailed foxes gain the abilities to see and hear anything happening anywhere in the world. Other tales attribute them infinite wisdom.

Most notably they are known for their ability to take on human forms –an ability learned when it reaches a certain age (usually 100 years). Foxes are particularly renowned for impersonating beautiful women. Common belief in medieval Japan was that any woman encountered alone, especially at dusk or night, could be a fox.

Suzaku

Also known as the Vermillion Bird of the South 南方朱雀

Suzaku (or Zhu Que in Chinese) is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese Constellation, along with Genbu (Black Tortoise) Seiryuu (Blue Dragon) and Byakko (White Tiger). Suzaku represents the South, the summer season and the element of Fire.

Seiryuu

Also known as the Azure Dragon of the East 東方青龍

Seiryuu (or Qing Long in Chinese) is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese Constellation, along with Genbu (Black Tortoise) Byakko (White Tiger) and Suzaku (Red Sparrow). Seiryuu represents the East, the spring season and the element of Wood.

Huang Long

Also known as the Yellow Dragon 黄龍

In East Asian culture, there’s sometimes a fifth Guardian Beast of the Four Symbols. This deity is the guardian of the center and it represents the element Earth, the Chinese quintessence, as well as the changing of the seasons.

Byakko

Also known as the White Tiger of the West 西方白虎

Byakko (or Bai Hu in Chinese) is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese Constellation, along with Genbu (Black Tortoise) Seiryuu (Blue Dragon) and Suzaku (Red Sparrow). Byakko represents the West, the autumn season and the element of Metal (Wind in the Japanese system).

Genbu

The Black Tortoise of the North 北方玄武

Genbu (or Xuan Wu in Chinese) is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese Constellation, along with Seiryuu (Blue Dragon) Byakko (White Tiger) and Suzaku (Red Sparrow). Genbu represents the North, the winter season and the element of Water

Leviathan

Leviathan – Ruler of the Sea

Leviathan is a Biblical sea monster referred to in the Old Testament. Its appearance varies greatly but is commonly believed to resemble a large fish or a whale with luminous eyes. Leviathan spends most of his time slumbering on the deep artic seafloor. Gargantuan in size he feeds mainly on whales and larger species of squid and shark. Only when the tremors of land quakes caused by the thundering hooves of Behemoth reach his murky abode does he rise from the depths to meet with his adversary

Cerberus

Cereberus is said to be the Guardian of Gates of Hell.

Quetzalcoatl – Kukulcan by *GENZOMAN

Quetzalcoatl (Classical Nahuatl: Quetzalcohuātl IPA: [ketsaɬˈkoaːtɬ]) is a Mesoamerican deity whose name comes from the Nahuatl language and has the meaning of "feather-serpent".

Quetzalcoatl

Nidhogh

this is zombie-dragon of an European myth. This creature devours the dead souls..

Okenuth

lord of fire… a magma dragon…

Leviathan

Leviathan was a creature of the Old Testament, appears in the book of Job, and Isaac described it as a large sea serpent. sometimes is relative to another biblical creatures, as behemoth, ziz and taninim.

Fire, Stars and Fire by *ShadowUmbre