Shapeshifting is a common theme in mythology and folklore. Many
legendary creatures have this ability, which is represented in a full
body transformation. It enables the creature to trick, deceive, hunt,
and kill humans. Throughout history many murder sprees have been
attributed to the presence of these beings. As Halloween is just around
the corner, this list might help to give you all some ideas for a
costume if you are going to a party. [JFrater: I am going to a
Halloween party but I have no idea what I should go as - something that
reflects a topic from the site might be nice. Any ideas?]
10 Leshy
The
Leshy is a male woodland spirit in Slavic mythology believed to protect
wild animals and the forests. They usually appear as tall men, but
have the ability to change size and shapeshift into any form, animal or
plant. Leshies have beards made of living grass and vines, and are
often depicted with a tail, hooves, and horns. The Leshy has pale white
skin and dark green eyes.
They are the lords of the forest and hold
close bonds with gray wolves, bears, and all animal life. When a leshy
is in human form it looks like a common peasant, although its eyes glow.
The creatures can shrink themselves to the height of a blade of grass
or grow to the size of the tallest trees. It is commonly understood
that leshies will lead peasants astray, make people sick, and even
tickle them to death. The creatures are terribly mischievous and have
horrible cries. However, Leshies can also imitate human voices and
often times lure lost wanderers to their caves. They aren’t always
evil, but enjoy misguiding humans and kidnapping young women.
9 Selkie
Selkies are creatures found in Faroese, Icelandic, Irish, and
Scottish mythology. They have the ability to transform themselves from
seal to human form. Selkies are able to shapeshift by shedding their
seal skin, a risky endeavor because they must reapply the same skin in
order to return to seal form. Stories surrounding these creatures are
usually romantic tragedies. They are allowed to make contact with
humans for only a short amount of time before they must return to the
sea.
In many cases humans have unknowingly fallen in love with selkies.
Other times, humans have hidden the skin of the selkie, thus
preventing it from returning to seal form. Male selkies are very
handsome in their human form, and have great seduction powers over
women. If a man finds and steals a female selkie’s skin then she will
be under his control and is often times forced to become his wife. The
creatures have been known to lure humans into the sea, by creating
illusions and a false sense of reality.
8 Berserker
Berserkers were a group of Norse warriors. They are human, but in
battle entered into a nearly uncontrollable, trance-like fury, and
transformed into wolves, bears, and wild bulls. This enabled the men to
fight more effectively. Their name would give rise to the English word
“berserk”.
Berserkers were said to wear the pelts of bears and wolves
as they entered battle and could make the full transformation as they
felt necessary. They are characterized as having bloodshot eyes,
incredible strength, and endurance. Various Scandinavian kings used
berserkers as part of their army or as hired men and royal bodyguards.
Similar behavior is described in the Iliad, in which warriors are
possessed by Gods and given the power to exhibit superhuman abilities.
7 Kitsune
In Japanese folklore the Kitsune is an intelligent and magical being.
The creature’s strength increases with age, wisdom, and life
experience. Kitsune is a Japanese fox. They have the ability to assume
human form and are great tricksters. The creatures are noted for
having as many as nine tails.
A kitsune may take human form when it
reaches a certain age, usually 100 years. They prefer to assume the
shape of a beautiful woman, young girl, or elderly man. The creatures
have the ability to clone the appearance of an individual. Kitsune have
a fear and hatred of dogs. They can willingly manifest themselves in
people’s dreams and create illusions so elaborate that they are
perceived as reality. The kitsune can fly, become invisible, and often
times generate fire or lightning. In some regions of the world the
creatures can bend time, space, and drive people mad.
6 Púca
The púca is a legendary creature of Celtic folklore, most notably in
Ireland, the West of Scotland, and Wales. The púca is a mythological
fairy and ultimate shapeshifter. The creatures are capable of assuming a
variety of terrifying forms, including a horse, rabbit, goat, goblin,
or dog. No matter what shape the púca takes, its fur is always dark.
They are most commonly seen as a black horse with a flowing mane and
luminescent orange eyes.
Púcas have the power to use human speech and
although they are known for giving good advice, they also enjoy
confusing and terrifying humans. Púcas have a fondness for riddles and
are sociable creatures. They love to gather and play pranks on
unsuspecting people and children. In many regions of the world the púca
is seen as a creature of the mountains and hills. They are incredibly
respected and if treated nicely will help humans.
5 Wendigo
The Wendigo is a creature appearing in the mythology of the
Algonquian people. Descriptions of the Wendigo vary across culture, but
they are generally described as a large alien-like canine beast. They
are malevolent and cannibalistic creatures. Wendigos are strongly
associated with the winter, the north, and coldness. Human beings will
transform into Wendigos if they perform cannibalism. The person will
become possessed by the demonic spirit of the beast, usually in a dream.
Once transformed, the individual will become violent and obsessed with
eating human flesh. These monsters are the embodiments of gluttony,
greed, and excess. They are never satisfied with killing and consuming
one person. Wendigos are constantly searching for new victims. They
have been classified as giants and upon transformation the human will
grow considerably in size. They populate rural and highly forested,
mountainous regions. Recently the Wendigo has become a horror entity,
much like the vampire, werewolf, or zombie.
4 Encantado
An encantado is a Brazilian legendary creature. They live in a deep
underwater realm named the Encante. Encantados are most commonly viewed
as a type of freshwater dolphin or sea snake that has the ability to
shapeshift into human form. They are characterized by superior musical
ability, seductiveness, and attraction to parties. The creature’s
transformation into human form seems to be rare, and usually occurs at
night.
While in human form the encantado will wear a hat to hide its
protruding forehead. It does not disappear while shapeshifting and
frequently displays magical abilities, such as the power to control
storms and haunt humans. They use various mind control techniques and
can inflict illness, insanity, and even death. The creatures are known
for kidnapping humans. Many villagers will not go near the Amazon
River at night because of this. Plenty of South Americans believe in
the existence of the encantado and claim to have seen and interacted
with the species
.
3 Aswang
An aswang is a mythical creature in Filipino folklore. The legend of
the aswang is well known throughout the Philippines, except in the
IIocos region. The creature is described as a combination of vampire
and witch and is almost always female. The aswang is an eater of the
dead and a cannibal. They are capable of transforming into either a
huge black dog or a black boar.
The creatures stalk and eat human beings
at night. Garlic bulbs, holy water, and other objects are believed to
repel aswang. Many stories revolve around these creatures eating
children and unborn fetuses. In human form they appear normal, and are
quiet, shy, and elusive. At night, they transform into the deadly
beast. One key feature of the aswang is its bloodshot eyes. In the
Middle Ages, the aswang was the most feared among the mythical creatures
in the Philippines.
2 Vampires
Vampires are legendary creatures said to feed on the blood of humans
and animals. It is difficult to make a single, definitive description
of the folkloric vampire, although they were usually reported as bloated
in appearance, ruddy, purplish, or dark in color. They are
shapeshifters and can take many forms, predominantly bats or humans.
Vampires are typically described as the undead, although some cultures
believe that they can be living. Beginning in the 19th century, modern
fiction began to portray vampires as gaunt and pale. In the past,
vampire superstition in Europe led to mass hysteria, which resulted in
corpses being staked and people being accused of vampirism. Many
violent killing sprees have been attributed to vampires.
They are known
to terrorize their previous neighborhoods and will seduce their
victims, waiting for the right moment to attack the neck. The creatures
will frequently visit their relatives, particularly their spouses.
Vampires are masters of disguise and camouflage. The most recently
recorded case of vampirism is that of nineteen-year-old Mercy Brown, who
died in Exeter, Rhode Island in 1892.
1 Lycanthrope
Lycanthropes or werewolves are mythological humans that have the
ability to shapeshift into wolves or anthropomorphic wolf-like
creatures. They can infect the human population with a bite and the
creature’s transformation is often associated with a full moon. The
lycanthropes mythology originated in Europe, but many accounts are found
all over the ancient world. Features of the werewolf include the
meeting of both eyebrows at the bridge of the nose, curved fingernails,
low set ears, and a swinging stride. They have super-human strength and
senses, far beyond those of either wolves or men. The beasts are known
to feed on the homeless and easy prey. A person can be identified as a
werewolf by cutting into their flesh to reveal hair or by revealing
special bristles under their tongue. In returning to the human form the
creature becomes weak and debilitated. Up until the 20th century wolf
attacks on humans were widely reported causes of mass death in Europe.
Jamie is the founder of Listverse. He spends his time
working on the site, doing research for new lists, and cooking. He is
fascinated with all things morbid and bizarre.
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