This list includes 20 Mythological creatures that start with Z, from “Zaltys” to “Zār”. Many entries are serpents, spirits, or hybrid beasts, reflecting diverse folklore and literary traditions across the globe.
[Mythological creatures that start with Z] are non-human beings from myths and folk tales that begin with the letter Z, including spirits, legendary animals, and hybrids. Notable examples include the Lithuanian “Zaltys”, a sacred grass-snake, and “Zār”, an East African possession spirit.
Below you’ll find the table with Origin, Description, and Famous Stories.
Origin: Shows the culture or region where each creature appears, so you can trace roots and compare traditions.
Description: Provides a concise 20–40-word summary of appearance, powers, and behavior to help you understand each creature quickly.
Famous Stories: Lists one or two named myths, tales, or works where the creature appears, useful for further reading or inspiration.
Mythological creatures that start with Z
| Name | Alternate names/spellings | Origin (culture/region) | Famous stories (1–2 examples) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ziz | Zīz | Hebrew, Jewish mythology | Talmud, Midrashic legends |
| Zmey Gorynych | Zmei Gorynych, Zmey | East Slavic, Russian folklore | Russian byliny and folktales |
| Zmeu | Zmej, Zmey | Romanian folklore | Romanian folk tales, heroic ballads |
| Zmei | Zmey, Zmej | Bulgarian and South Slavic folklore | Bulgarian folktales, epics |
| Zduhać | Zduhac, zduhacz | Montenegrin, Serbian folk belief | Montenegrin folk tales, epic songs |
| Zaltys | Žaltys, Zaltis | Lithuanian Baltic folklore | Lithuanian folktales, household rites |
| Zana | Zana e malit | Albanian folklore | Albanian folk tales, heroic ballads |
| Zashiki‑warashi | Zashiki warashi | Japanese folklore (Iwate) | Tono Monogatari tales, local legends |
| Zlatorog | Zlătorog, Goldenhorn | Slovenian Alpine folklore | Slovenian folktale “The Tale of Zlatorog” |
| Zimwi | Zimwi | Swahili and East African coastal folklore | Swahili coastal tales, island legends |
| Zaratan | Zaratán, Zaratan | Medieval Arabic and bestiary traditions | Al‑Qazwini, Pliny‑inspired bestiaries |
| Zemi | Cemi, Zemi idols | Taíno Caribbean religion | Taíno myths, Columbus-era accounts |
| Zombie | Zombi, zombi‑spirit | Haitian Vodou, West African diasporic traditions | Haitian folktales, ethnographies |
| Zilant | Zilanty, Şilant | Tatar, Volga Bulgarian folklore | Legend of Kazan, local chronicles |
| Zhar‑ptitsa | Zhar ptitsa, Firebird | Slavic, Russian folklore | Russian folktales “The Firebird” stories |
| Zhuque | Vermilion Bird, Zhuque | Chinese mythology | Four Symbols cosmology, Han dynasty texts |
| Zu | Anzu, Zu‑bird | Sumerian, Akkadian mythology | Epic of Anzu, other Mesopotamian myths |
| Zār | Zar, Zaar | Ethiopian, Horn of Africa, Persian coastal cults | Zar possession rituals, oral accounts |
| Zburător | Zburator, Zburătorul | Romanian folklore | Romanian love ballads, folk tales |
| Zhulong | Chuolong, Zhulong | Chinese myth, Classic texts | Shanhaijing, ancient mythic geography |
Descriptions
Ziz
A colossal, griffin-like bird in Jewish myth said to be king of birds. Ziz is a primordial creature whose wings can block the sun and who balances Leviathan and Behemoth in cosmic lore.
Zmey Gorynych
A multi‑headed fire‑breathing dragon from Russian epics, often slain by heroes. Zmey Gorynych hoards treasures and abducts maidens, symbolizing chaotic force overcome by bravery and wit.
Zmeu
A Romanian dragon or ogre often portrayed as a malevolent, human‑like monster who kidnaps princesses. Zmeu embodies greedy violence and is defeated by clever heroes or pure‑hearted heroines.
Zmei
A generic Slavic dragon figure appearing in Bulgarian and Serbian tales. Zmei are powerful, often humanoid serpents who control storms and challenge warriors for honor and treasure.
Zduhać
A protective Balkan spirit of the air who battles on behalf of communities. Zduhaći leave their bodies in sleep to fight weather demons, shaping harvests and fortunes.
Zaltys
A sacred household grass‑snake in Baltic myth, keeper of fertility and fortune. Zaltys lived near homes or altars; harming it brought misfortune while respect granted blessings.
Zana
A powerful mountain nymph who bestows strength and fate on heroes. Zana protects nature, aids warriors, and can be both benevolent and capricious toward humans.
Zashiki‑warashi
A childlike house spirit believed to bring good fortune to households. Zashiki‑warashi appear as playful ghosts in tatami rooms; their departure is said to presage decline.
Zlatorog
A mythical white chamois with golden horns guarding mountain treasures. Hunters who wound Zlatorog face misfortune, while its blood sprouts healing flowers and tests human greed.
Zimwi
A generic monstrous being of coastal East African lore, sometimes cannibalistic or shape‑shifting. Zimwi stories warn of dangerous strangers, unexplained disappearances, and moral transgressions.
Zaratan
A giant sea creature likened to a turtle or whale that sailors mistake for an island. Zaratan appears in medieval travelogues and exemplifies mariner wonders and dangers.
Zemi
Ancestral or nature spirit of the Taíno peoples, often represented by carved figures. Zemis mediated between humans and gods, controlling fertility, weather, and community fate.
Zombie
An undead being revived by sorcery or ritual servitude in Haitian tradition. Zombies embody questions of autonomy, colonial trauma, and social boundaries rather than modern cinematic tropes.
Zilant
A winged serpent or dragon associated with Kazan. Zilant guards cities and symbolizes both protection and danger; its image appears on local heraldry and legends.
Zhar‑ptitsa
The radiant Firebird is a magical, glowing bird whose feathers glow like embers. Its capture sparks quests, tests heroes, and often brings both wonder and misfortune.
Zhuque
One of China’s Four Symbols, the Vermilion Bird embodies the south, summer, and fire. Zhuque is a fiery mythic bird representing seasonal balance and celestial order.
Zu
A colossal storm‑bird or lion‑headed eagle that steals the Tablet of Destinies in myth. Zu challenges the gods and represents chaotic winds and abrupt cosmic upheaval.
Zār
A spirit invoked in possession cults across Ethiopia and surrounding regions. Zār are spirits of various origins causing illness or luck, managed through elaborate rituals and music.
Zburător
A nocturnal winged spirit who visits young women as a lover, inspiring forbidden passion. Zburător blends eroticism and danger, appearing in folklore and 19th‑century literary motifs.
Zhulong
A torch dragon or luminous serpent that brings day and night by opening or closing its eyes. Zhulong is a primeval dragon associated with light, climatic cycles, and ancient cosmogony.