The Definitive Ranking Of Dangerous Supernatural Creatures

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14. The Mothman

Mark Cameron (CC BY-ND http://2.0) / Via Flickr: marada

Why It's #14: With an estimated wingspan of up to 10 feet, the Mothman is an imposing figure. However, it was only active during the mid-'60s and, other than flying after people, appears to be mostly harmless.

In fact, with a pancake eating contest as part of the annual Mothman Festival, it seems almost friendly.

13. El Chupacabra

Michael Snipes (CC BY-SA http://2.0) / Via Flickr: sausagelinks

Why It's #13: The Goat Sucker is a threat to livestock from Puerto Rico to Russia. However, its thirst for blood seems to be limited to animals, not people... and the many alleged Chupacabra corpses have proven it's not bulletproof.

12. The Jersey Devil

Via en.wikipedia.org

Why It's #12: Supposedly the child of a witch and Satan, the elusive Jersey Devil has been a blight on the Garden State since 1735. Other than at hockey games, it appears very rarely (and has been banished for a century at a time), and the last actual attack on people took place in 1909.

11. Kappa

Toshihiro Oimatsu (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: oimax

Why It's #11: The river-dwelling Kappa has been known to drown people who swim in its water, then consume their victims' blood, liver, or soul.

However, its several weaknesses — including overt politeness and a fondness for cucumbers — make the Kappa an easily deterred foe, and its adoption as a mascot of a Tokyo street known for its restaurant supplies has turned it into something of a lovable creature.

10. The Rusalka

Via en.wikipedia.org

Why She's #10: The Rusalka (plural: Rusalki) is a beautiful, river-dwelling woman who captivates you with her music and dancing... and lures you to a watery death.

Unlike the Kappa, she has no known weaknesses, and even her laugh is said to be fatal to those who hear it.

9. Krampus

tribp (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: 82088316@N05

Why He's #9: Krampus, the Christmas demon of the Alpine countries, has no mercy on naughty children. On the 5th of December, he beats the mild offenders with a birch branch and carries off the worst to be eaten or drowned... or worse.

Krampusnacht is celebrated around the world, as merrymakers unleash their inner demon and parade through the streets, threatening children and passersby alike.

8. La Llorona

Berenice Garcia (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: berenicegg

Why She's #8: This ghostly woman weeps for the children she drowned... and now steals any unattended child (naughty or otherwise) she comes across.

Even adults are not safe — some legends say that anyone who hears her cries is marked for death.

7. Black Shuck

William Whyte (CC BY-SA http://2.0) / Via Flickr: 53357045@N02

Why It's #7: This ghostly black dog has haunted the British Isles for nearly a millennium.

Though his appearance varies — sometimes he's the size of a large dog, other times the size of a calf, and his eyes might burn red or glow green — the sighting of Black Shuck always means death is approaching, either for you or for a loved one.

Black Shuck is said to have attacked a church in the 16th century, and the skeleton of a seven-foot-long dog was recently unearthed near the site of that attack.

6. Cockatrice / Basilisk

Charles Hoffman (CC BY http://2.0) Flickr: kitonlove

Quinn Dombrowski (CC BY-SA http://2.0) Flickr: quinnanya

Why They're #6: Although bizarre in appearance (they resemble a rooster crossed with a dragon crossed with a snake) their gaze/touch/breath can either turn you to stone or kill you outright. These are creatures whose paths are best left uncrossed.

5. Succubus / Incubus

Julian Tysoe (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: kradlum

Why They're #5: They are demons that kill you... through sex.

4. Cerberus

sd98fw897r (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: 30589119@N04

Why It's #4: The multi-headed hound guards the gates of the Underworld.

Getting past its many jaws, mane of snakes, and lion claws is an almost impossible feat... one that would require the strength of Hercules or the musical skills of Orpheus.

3. Y Ddraig Goch

Geraint Rowland (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: geezaweezer

Why It's #3: The Red Dragon of Wales is not just any dragon (and "just any dragon" is fearsome in its own right), but the supposed standard of King Arthur himself.

In addition to its fiery breath and invulnerable hide, its shriek was said to cause women to miscarry, animals to perish, and crops to wither.

2. Kraken

Ryan Somma (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: ideonexus

Why It's #2: The greatest of all sea monsters, large enough to be mistaken for an island, it's a terror to any ship caught in its path. And even those who survive an encounter with the Kraken will most likely drown in the whirlpool caused by its wake.

It's now a famous creature in pop culture, appearing in films, video games, as a rum, and as a roller coaster.

1. Ouroboros

Sebastien Wiertz (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: wiertz

Why It's #1: The serpent eating its own tail is a symbol of eternal recurrence. More than death, more than life, it encompasses all of that and more, and has moved beyond a supernatural creature into an archetype.

In Scandinavian folklore, the Ouroboros is also known as the Jörmungandr, the Midgard Serpent that surrounds the world, and it is destined to kill Thor in the final battle of Ragnarök. Even the gods aren't immune to its powers.

For other supernatural creatures, such as the...

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