In this edition of SEA Wave’s Into the Horror-verse mini-series, we continue our previous deep dive into the fascinating and terrifying world of mythical creatures in Southeast Asia.
Creatures from old folktales and mythical stories are a huge part of our culture. In Southeast Asia, many of these stories are passed down through generations to serve as examples, often being used as a warning to keep young children from being disobedient or to reinforce old traditions and cultural norms. But some claim that these sightings are warnings, letting us know that we exist alongside unknowable creatures that lurk in our world.
southeast asia and their affinity for the supernatural is so real. that old ass tree outside ur house thats seemingly normal ? no yeah thats haunted and heres 10 stories passed down from ur bloodline to prove it
— danna 🩸 (@dnncats) November 14, 2023
In this article, we add five more enchanting and terrifying mythical creatures from Southeast Asia to our list.
Ho Tinh (Vietnam)
Photo from Jeremy Vassey
Ho Tinh are creatures from Vietnam, commonly depicted as nine-tailed foxes who live in deep caves. Much like the animals they take the form of, Ho Tinh are elusive and unplaceable – sometimes depicted as friendly spirits, but other times as malevolent ones. They are said to have the ability to change their appearance, either using this ability to trick humans and lure them to their demise, or to save them.
The Ho Tinh is even tied to gods in some regions of Vietnam, with the legends of a nine-tailed fox and a feathered bird who came down to earth to save villagers from Xuân Thiều village.
There are also other depictions of nine-tailed foxes in different parts of Asia and the world, including the Huli Jing from China, the Kitsune from Japan, and the Gumiho from Korea. This also includes depictions in popular media such as the nine-tailed demon fox Kurama from Naruto, the K-drama series My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, the playable character Ahri from League of Legends, and many more.
Sirena (Philippines)
Photo from Chalo Garcia
The Sirena is the Filipino version of the mermaid – beautiful creatures with the head and torso of a human woman and the tail of a fish. These creatures are categorized as “engkanto,” which is a term used in the Philippines to describe supernatural guardians of the natural world.
As guardians of the seas, Sirena have enchanting voices that lure fishermen into the depths to stop them from harming sea life. Sirena will use their voices to attract men into diving underwater, where the creatures will drown them once they get the chance to sacrifice them to sea deities. There are also stories of Sirena that pretend to drown, asking for help from passing fishermen or travelers. These men will inevitably attempt to save them, but will meet their demise underwater.
Although Sirena are usually depicted as hostile to humans in folk stories, in popular culture Sirena are often seen through the lens of telenovelas or TV dramas as female leads longing for love and acceptance. The most popular Sirena in Philippine media is Dyesebel, a naive young woman who gains a human form through a deal with a witch.
Manussiha (Myanmar)
Manussiha as depicted in Kyauktawgyi Pagoda Mandalay in Myanmar | Photo from Go Myanmar Tours
Manussiha is a half-lion, half-man creature that is comparable to an ancient sphinx. Myanmar has statues of the Manussiha displayed in the vicinity of their temples or pagodas. Statues are even situated in Sambuddhe Pagoda, one of the famous pagodas in Monywa. This is because the Manussiha is mostly attributed as a guardian even though it has an unnatural appearance.
It is said that Manussiha were created by Buddhist monks to protect new-born royal babies, which is why they can be found guarding the four corners of a pagoda. They frighten creatures like ogres, demons and evil spirits, preventing them from entering any structure.
Nyi Blorong (Indonesia)
Photo by David Clode
Nyi Blorong is another creature that possesses the appearance of a beautiful woman – with a human head and torso and the tail of a snake. Often dubbed as a “serpent lady,” the Nyi Blorong tempts humans by offering them her gold scales in exchange for their subservience.
Other versions of the legend say that the Nyi Blorong can be summoned through a “serpent ritual,” similar to other serpent creatures in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Once summoned, the Nyi Blorong can give those who summoned it wealth, power, or anything they desire in exchange for what they deem an appropriate sacrifice. If the summoner cannot find a sacrifice within the year, they will be absorbed by the Nyi Blorong, using their soul to keep itself perpetually beautiful.
The Great Naga (Thailand)
Photo from My Thailand
The Great Naga or Phaya Nak is a giant dragon with many heads, often transforming into a snake-like creature when sleeping and a dragon when awake. Legends say that the Great Naga lives in rivers and has the ability to shoot fireballs into the sky and bring rain. In many rituals and ceremonies, the Naga is called to showcase his powers to bring future prosperity to the land.
It is said that two Naga kings created the Mekong River by slithering around the area, with its body carving the earth and his power to bring rains filling it with water. Creatures similar to Naga are present in other Southeast Asian cultures such as the crowned and winged naga in Indonesia, the Sri Gumum located in lake Chini in Malaysia, and the great moon-eating serpent Bakunawa in the Philippines.
While we’ve explored some of the most awe-inspiring creatures known in Southeast Asian folklore and mythology, we are barely scratching the surface. If you want to learn more about Southeast Asian mythology, read our story about the Tales and Oracles of Eleven here. And for a more spooky undertaking, check out our story about Southeast Asian urban legends here.
For more pop culture trends, Southeast Asian news and stories, visit seawavemag.com.
SEA Wave’s Into the horror-verse is a mini series that showcases Southeast Asian countries’ urban legends, horror stories, spooky events, mythological creatures, and folk legends, keeping stories that make each country’s rich culture alive.