When faced with majestic mountain ranges with peaks that almost touch the sky it can be understood why ancient man wove myths and legends around mythical mountain-dwelling creatures. There are mountains such as Mount Olympus in Greek mythology that are regarded as sacred and even legends about how the mountains themselves were created.

Legendary creatures have been a part of human culture throughout the world; some having their origin in traditional mythology, others based on supposed sightings of travellers whose accounts would be passed on and no doubt embellished upon, on each telling of the tale!

The mythical yeti, for instance, is supposed to live in the Himalayan Mountains. According to Tibetan myths, the yeti or abominable snowman prefers to come out at night, it whistles and can kill a person with a single punch. The debate as to whether the yeti exists continues to this day.

Reports of the first sighting of the Sasquatch, a hairy, long-armed man believing to live in the mountains and woods in Canada was in 1811. In 1910 when the bodies of dead miners were found without their heads, this was thought to be the work of the Sasquatch. The name Sasquatch is believed to come from an Indian dialect meaning “wild man.” Its more common name is Big Foot and legends about Bigfoot-like creatures dwelling in mountains in other parts of the world include Russia and the Pacific Northwest.

Not all mythical mountain creatures are ugly, scary or repulsive. In Greek and Celtic mythology, nymphs were female entities bound to a specific location such as rivers, ravines, springs or mountains. These gorgeous, bewitching creatures were companions and lovers of the gods and heroes. They were also known to take human lovers.

Bulgarian legends tell of the Samovily, nymph-like creatures who live in the mountains and forests performing spectacular dances. Any human who joins in with their dancing will fall under a magical spell that makes them dance until they die.

Mythical mountain creatures come in all shapes and forms. The Aatxe for instance is a Spanish spirit shaped like a bull that dwells in the mountains and haunts travellers at night. While the Thurses, according to Norse legends, are giants living in snowy and icy regions who frequently tried to abduct the goddess Freyr.

Some legendary mountain dwelling creatures resemble humans for instance the three-headed race of forest dwellers in East Asia called the Santouren or the mountain dwelling dog with a human face, the Shanhu from the legends of China. According to myth, seeing one of these mythical creatures was an omen of strong winds and hurricanes ahead.

From goblins, giant reptiles, huge monkey-like creatures to unicorns and fairies, mythical mountain creatures are the subject of some fascinating legends all around the world and continue to intrigue as modern day scientists carry on searching for proof that some still do exist!

References

http://www.wunderalpen.com/intern/#mysticalps

http://seinenkai.com/articles/tengu.html

http://www.occultopedia.com/y/yeti.htm

http://www.paleothea.com/Nymphs.html

http://www.ourbigfoot.com/bigfoot_sightings.html