For centuries, many ancient civilizations were truly fascinated by mythical beings and beliefs that they thought were nothing short of real. In fact, mythical creatures are present in virtually every ancient culture, and span from believable to those bordering something truly alien. From dragons, sea monsters, and griffins, all the way to fauns, centaurs, and minotaurs, these fantastical beings usually mirrored the fears, beliefs, and aspirations of ancient societies. In this way, they often shaped their literature, art, and lifestyles, showing how ideals can be embodied in things imagined. But could there be a real-life origin to these beliefs and creatures? Could they have been inspired by real-world phenomena, or simply misinterpreted natural events?
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Guardians, Destroyers, Prophets
Amongst the most enduring mythical creatures, which were present in so many ancient cultures, are the dragons. Appearing frequently in folklore and tales from China in the east to Europe in the west, and elsewhere, these mighty creatures continue to captivate even today, in the modern age. What makes them so popular, and how did they influence cultures? In China for example, and in East Asia in general, where civilizations flourished for thousands of years, the dragon (known as lóng (loong)) usually symbolized wisdom, wealth, prosperity, and power. Usually depicted as serpentine and brooding, they were connected with the water, rain, fertility, and good fortune in general. Their influence was so great that even emperors adopted them as symbols of divine authority and might. Their garments, thrones, and palaces were decorated with flowing dragons, both carved and painted. In this way, the dragons became intermediaries between the heavens and the earth.
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Long dragon. Fragment of the Nine Dragon Wall in Forbidden City, Beijing (Jakub Hałun/CC BY-SA 4.0)
In stark contrast, however, the dragons of the Western world were not benevolent creatures. Instead, they were often seen as destructive and greedy, hoarding great treasures and devastating the peaceful countryside. In many European legends, heroes arose to slay dragons and put an end to their devastation. Notable such legends are Siegfried in the German heroic tales, or Saint George the Dragonslayer. Their victories over dragons symbolize the triumph of good over evil and the human conquest of chaos. These contrasting perceptions highlight cultural differences in humanity’s relationship with nature: Eastern traditions revered balance, while Western myths often portrayed nature as a force to be subdued.
Saint George and the Dragon by Gustave Moreau, 1889/1890. (Public Domain)
The myth of the dragons often had real-life origins. In Europe, the ancient cultures personified the destructive nature of the summer sun, which caused droughts and crop failures, with dragons - fire breathing monsters. Their appearance, which endures to this day, could have been inspired by fossils of large prehistoric animals, or through exaggerated tales of encounters with crocodiles and monitor lizards. Early mapmakers placed dragon illustrations in unexplored territories, reinforcing fears of the unknown and cautioning against venturing into uncharted lands.
The Fear of the Unknown
Mythical creatures in the ancient world often influenced real-life experiences as symbols of danger or something to be cautious about. This often pertains to early maritime navigation, as the oceans - and the lands beyond them - were often perilous to explore. This gave birth to the myths of sea monsters. In imaginations of ancient maritime cultures, these beings were aplenty, symbolizing the dangers of the sea. In Greek mythology, for example, there were creatures such as Scylla and Charybdis, posing as major threats to all sailors, just as seen in the Odyssey. These tales, however, were reflected in real life. They highlighted themes of perseverance and ingenuity, teaching mariners to respect the unpredictable power of the ocean and to, paradoxically, motivate them to persevere in maritime exploration.
Painting of Odysseus's boat passing between mythical creatures, the six-headed monster Scylla and the whirlpool Charybdis. Scylla has plucked Five of Odysseus's men from the boat. The painting is an Italian fresco. (Public Domain)
Such myths existed even in the murky ages before the Greeks arose. In Mesopotamian mythology, the sea monster Tiamat represented the primordial chaos, the salt water, and the creation. Her defeat by the god Marduk, as recounted in the epic tale Enūma Eliš, marked the establishment of order and the birth of the cosmos. Similarly, the Leviathan in Hebrew scriptures symbolized divine power and judgment, underscoring humanity’s vulnerability in the face of the divine.
There is no doubt that many of these sea monster myths were inspired by real-life encounters with large marine creatures. For example, ancient mariners who sighted giant squids or the enormous oarfish, might have described mighty krakens. Similarly, sightings of whales, walruses, or narwhals could have sparked the imaginations of any who saw them. But ultimately, they served as cautionary tales for would-be navigators, and influenced ancient cultures to preserve their own territories, instead of venturing into the great unknown.
Imagination Running Wild
To better convey real-life lessons and concepts, ancient mythical creatures were often larger-than-life, extraordinary beings, with inexplicable and impossible features. How else were the people to fear them and, after all, believe in their existence? And so it was that unique, “hybrid” creatures, which combined the elements of several beings, came to play a significant role in ancient art and belief. A notable example is the griffin, a mythical creature with origins in Ancient Greece. With the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle, this mighty being symbolized strength and vigilance. Revered in Persian, Greek, and Scythian cultures, griffins were often depicted guarding treasures or sacred sites. Their protective role extended to royal power, as seen in gold artifacts adorned with griffin motifs. Interestingly, the Greeks fervently believed that these creatures actually existed, particularly in the northern lands, amongst the Scythians.
A similar creature is the chimera, also originating in Greece, which had the heads of a lion, goat, and serpent. This abhorrent being represented chaos and danger, serving as a warning in real-life concepts. Mythical heroes such as Bellerophon, who defeated the chimera with the help of the horse Pegasus, embodied the virtues of bravery and resourcefulness. In this way, these mythical beings served as a way to promote good virtues in real life, contributing to an orderly and noble society. By reinforcing cultural values and providing tales of human triumph over evil and hardship, these creatures influenced men to always strive to do better, and to fight and protect what was their own.
Such creatures were present in other major cultures of the ancient world, usually having protective roles. In Ancient Egypt, the lion-human hybrids - the Sphinxes - guarded temples and protected the people, while in ancient Assyria the similarly-looking Lamassu stood proudly as sentinels near city gates. By blending artistry with spirituality, these majestic beings conveyed a sense of awe, fear, and inspiration, ensuring protection and instilling fear in all opponents. As such, they were an effective deterrent of enemies, many of whom believed in the wrath of these guardian beings.
Cast from the original in Iraq, this is one of a pair of five-legged lamassu with lion's feet in Berlin (Lusitana/CC BY-SA 3.0)
Could These Beings Have Origins in Nature?
There are many popular theories indicating that the mythical creatures of ancient history have origins in something natural, or some real-world phenomena. It is possible that ancient peoples, having discovered fossils and large animal bones, having no knowledge about prehistoric creatures, crafted imaginary tales of giants, dragons, and centaurs. A notable example is the theory that Protoceratops dinosaur fossils found in Central Asia could have influenced the legends of the griffins. Their skeletons resemble winged creatures, and the people could simply have built their myths upon such remains. There are those, however, who dispute this theory.
“Invoking a role for dinosaurs in griffin lore, especially species from distant lands like Protoceratops, not only introduces unnecessary complexity and inconsistencies to their origins, but also relies on interpretations and proposals that don’t withstand scrutiny. It is important to distinguish between fossil folklore with a factual basis - that is, connections between fossils and myth evidenced by archaeological discoveries or compelling references in literature and artwork - and speculated connections based on intuition. There is nothing inherently wrong with the idea that ancient peoples found dinosaur bones and incorporated them into their mythology, but we need to root such proposals in realities of history, geography and paleontology. Otherwise, they are just speculation.”
Dr. Richard Hing, University of Portsmouth (Source)
Encounters with unfamiliar animals also fueled myths. The narwhal’s tusk, often mistaken for a unicorn horn, contributed to the enduring legend of the unicorn. Similarly, the exaggerated accounts of sailors encountering manatees may have given rise to mermaid stories. These examples highlight how human curiosity and imagination transformed natural observations into fantastical narratives. We can only imagine the shock and awe an ancient person could have experienced upon seeing an exotic animal. Ancient Greek explorers, venturing into Africa or Asia, could have seen elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffes, pythons, crocodiles, or any other odd-looking animals and - being in disbelief - instantly characterize them as beings of myth and legend.
A traditional depiction of the griffin (Public Domain)
The Influence of Mythical Creatures on Art and Literature
Just one glimpse at ancient art of major civilizations, such as the Greeks, the Minoans, the Romans, or Egyptians, is enough to tell us that their myths were very important to them. From pottery to frescoes, to complex sculptures and architecture, the mythical creatures of old are represented everywhere. And they weren’t mere decorative elements, but served as cultural symbols as well. A notable example is the famed Ishtar Gate of Babylon, adorned with dragons and bulls, which clearly showed the integration of mythical creatures into monumental architecture.
Epic literature was likewise heavily influenced by mythology, with many references to mythical beings. The Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh features Humbaba, a guardian monster, while Beowulf recounts the hero’s battles with the monstrous Grendel and a dragon. These stories not only entertained but also imparted moral lessons and preserved cultural values. Ancient Greek literature was likewise heavily steeped in mythology, containing many encounters with beings such as centaurs, unicorns, minotaurs, the Medusa, the cyclops, and many others. And in all of these tales a unified message was contained - the man’s fight against the forces of evil.
Humbaba, demon guardian of the Cedar Forest. (Rama/CC BY SA 3.0)
And even today, real life is influenced by ancient mythical creatures. Popular movies often contain many of these creatures, and old legends still serve as inspiration, centuries later. Dragons, elves, giants, unicorns, and phoenixes remain a staple in literature, films, and art, embodying themes of power, purity, and resilience. Their enduring appeal clearly reflects humanity’s deep-seated fascination with the unknown and the extraordinary, which endures for thousands of years.
Myth and Reality, Entwined
In ancient cultures, mythical creatures were more than imaginary beings, they were mirrors of human fears, hopes, and beliefs. Whether as symbols of divine power, representations of natural phenomena, or lessons in morality, these creatures shaped the cultural and spiritual landscapes of civilizations. And as we explore their origins and significance, we gain a richer understanding of the ancient world and the timeless power of myth.
Looking back at our own histories, of our respective nations, we can quickly stumble upon odd myths and unique creatures that have far-reaching roots. All that is left is to ask ourselves - how did they influence or inspire us?
Top image: Myth of Tiamat the primordial goddess of the ocean rising from the waters ancient Mesopotamian myth swirling sea serpents chaos and creation. Source: Stock Source/Adobe Stock
References
Burkert, W. 1982. Structure and History in Greek Mythology and Ritual. University of California Press.
Krensky, S. 2020. The Book of Mythical Beasts and Magical Creatures: Meet your favorite monsters, fairies, heroes, and tricksters from all around the world. Dorling Kindersley Limited.
Rosen, B. 2009. The Mythical Creatures Bible: The Definitive Guide to Legendary Beings Volume 14. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.
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