Here you’ll find 13 Mythical creatures that start with Q that begin with Q, organized from “Qalupalik” to “Qutrub”. Many entries are spirit or dragon figures with strong cultural roles and vivid stories. Use this list for research, storytelling, game design, or classroom reference.
Mythical creatures that start with Q are legendary beings from global folklore and myth, linked by their initial letter. For example, the Qilin and Quetzalcoatl play central symbolic roles in Chinese and Mesoamerican traditions.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Origin, Description, and Famous stories.
Name: The creature’s common name and any alternate names, so you can find and cross-reference entries quickly.
Origin: The culture or region where the creature appears, helping you understand its historical and cultural background.
Description: A concise one-to-two sentence summary that highlights the creature’s appearance, powers, and notable traits for quick reference.
Famous stories: Short list of well-known myths, legends, or texts where the creature appears, so you can locate primary narratives.
Mythical creatures that start with Q
Name
Alternate names
Origin
Famous stories or sources
Qilin
Kirin, Chinese unicorn
Chinese mythology
Classic of Mountains and Seas, imperial art
Quetzalcoatl
Feathered Serpent, Kukulcan, Gukumatz
Mesoamerican mythology (Aztec, Toltec, Maya)
Florentine Codex, Aztec creation myths
Questing Beast
Glatisant
Arthurian legend (British/French)
Le Morte d’Arthur, Post-Vulgate Cycle
Qalupalik
Qallupilluit, Kalopaling
Inuit mythology (Canada, Greenland)
Inuit cautionary tales for children
Qiqirn
Qiqion, Kekean
Inuit mythology (Canada, Greenland)
Inuit oral traditions
Qingniao
Bluebird, Green Bird
Chinese mythology
Classic of Mountains and Seas, stories of Xiwangmu
Qiongqi
Chiung-ch’i
Chinese mythology
Classic of Mountains and Seas, Zuo Zhuan
Quinotaur
Bestia Neptuni Quinotauri similis
Frankish mythology
Chronicle of Fredegar
Quinametzin
Giants of the Sun of Rain
Aztec mythology
Codex Ríos, Florentine Codex
Qareen
Qarīn, Hamzad
Islamic and pre-Islamic Arabian folklore
Quran, Hadith literature
Qutrub
Qutrubbul-ghul
Arabian folklore
Pre-Islamic poetry, folklore collections
Queen Mab
Mab
English folklore
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, “Queen Mab” by Percy Shelley
Qianliyan
Thousand-Mile Eye
Chinese folklore and Taoism
Investiture of the Gods, stories of Mazu
Descriptions
Qilin
A gentle, chimeric creature with horns, hooves, and scales, often called the “Chinese unicorn.” Its appearance is a great omen, said to herald the arrival of a wise and benevolent ruler.
Quetzalcoatl
A powerful deity depicted as a magnificent serpent covered in bright quetzal bird feathers. He is a god of wind, air, wisdom, and learning, and a creator of humanity.
Questing Beast
A monstrous chimera with a serpent’s head, leopard’s body, and lion’s haunches. It makes a noise like thirty baying hounds from its belly and is pursued by King Pellinore.
Qalupalik
A human-like sea creature that preys on children who wander too close to the ice’s edge. It has green skin, long hair, and wears a parka to carry children away.
Qiqirn
A large, bald, dog-like spirit with hair only on its feet, mouth, and ears. It is skittish and frightening, causing fits in those who approach it, but is not overtly malevolent.
Qingniao
A mythical blue or green bird, often appearing in a trio, that acts as a divine messenger for Xiwangmu, the Queen Mother of the West, bringing her food and messages.
Qiongqi
A fearsome winged tiger, one of the Four Perils of Chinese legend. It is a malevolent beast that devours people, encourages war, and perversely sides with the guilty in disputes.
Quinotaur
A mysterious “beast of Neptune” that resembled a bull with five horns. According to legend, it attacked the wife of a Frankish king and was the father of the hero Merovech.
Quinametzin
A race of giants who were believed to have inhabited the world during a previous era. According to legend, these powerful beings built the ancient city of Teotihuacan before being destroyed.
Qareen
A personal spirit or djinn assigned to every human, representing their other self. It can be a companion or a tempter, whispering evil suggestions and encouraging bad behavior.
Qutrub
A type of djinn or ghoul, sometimes described as a werewolf-like creature or a demon of lycanthropy. They were believed to be a specific, monstrous class of jinn that haunted graveyards.
Queen Mab
A mischievous fairy queen who delivers dreams to sleepers by driving her tiny, intricate chariot over them at night. She is a diminutive but powerful and iconic figure in the world of the Fae.
Qianliyan
A guardian spirit with the power of clairvoyance, able to see for a thousand miles. He and his partner Shunfeng’er (Thousand-Mile Ear) are often depicted as fierce demonic guardians.
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