Name 37/40 Mythological Creatures and..."You're a Wizard, Harry!"

By: J.P. Naomi
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

Creatures and monsters and gods, oh my! If those three words get you excited, then this quiz will be right up your alley! The question is... can you ace it? It's time to see just how well you know some of the most famous mythological creatures history has ever known!

From Greek to Roman, and Hindu to Egyptian, many cultures around the world have their own collection of myths and folklore. For centuries, the epic tales of these mythological creatures have been passed down from generation to generation. And while many people know who Medusa and Cyclops are, only the biggest mythology buffs will prove their passion on this quiz. So we want to know... are you buff enough to rock this quiz? Will you tear through it like the almighty Heracles, or will you drown sorrowfully in the River of Hades? The time is drawing near!

So go ahead, transform yourself like a werewolf and get ready for this ultimate quiz! We want to find out if you know your banshees from your centaurs and your cockatrices from your harpies! Are you up for this challenge? Go ahead and give it your best shot, we think you'll come out a winner like the mighty Thor!

A centaur is a mythological creature with the upper body of a human and the lower body and legs of a horse. Centaurs are said to have been born of Ixion and Nephele.

Basilisk comes from the Greek word meaning 'little king'. It is a legendary reptile reputed to be a serpent king who can cause death with a single glance!

Chimera comes from the Greek word meaning "she-goat". It is usually depicted as a lion with the head of a goat coming out from its back and a tail that ends with a snake's head!

In Greek mythology, Medusa typically shows as a winged female human with living venomous snakes in place of hair! Did you know that Medusa is Greek for "guardian protectress"?

Did you know that banshee comes from Irish mythology? She represents the "fairy woman" who heralds the death of a family member!

The word "cyclops" literally means "round-eyed" or "circle-eyed". A cyclops usually served as a builder, blacksmith or craftsman.

In Greek mythology, the Minotaur is portrayed with its head and tail of a bull and the body of a man. Did you know that the minotaur was killed by the Athenian hero Theseus?

The kraken is a giant legendary sea monster that can grow to 50 feet in length. It is said to live off the coasts of Norway and Greenland!

Cerberus is often called the "hound of Hades". It is a multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld to prevent the dead from leaving.

In Greek mythology, a phoenix is a long-lived bird that is born again, and again, and again! It is said to die in a show of flames and combustion and obtains new life by arising from its ashes!

A sphinx is a mythical creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion. It is said to be treacherous and merciless, eating any visitors who cannot answer its riddle!

A mermaid is an aquatic creature with the head and upper body of a female human and the tail of a fish! They are often associated with events such as floods, storms, and shipwrecks.

Hydra, the Greek and Roman mythological monster is also known as the Lernaen Hydra and Hydra of Lerna. Did you know that Hydra was killed by Hercules using his sword and fire?

In Japanese folklore, a kappa is a "river child". It is usually depicted as green, human-like beings with webbed hands and feet, and a turtle shell on its back.

Lamia is an ancient Greek mythological creature. She was a woman who became a child-eating monster after her children were destroyed by Hera!

The python was a serpent in Greek mythology. It was portrayed as a medieval-style dragon, living at the center of the earth!

Orthrus was a two-headed dog who guarded Geryon's cattle. He was born of the monsters Echidna and Typhon and killed by Heracles.

The best known Ichthyocentaurs were Aphros and Bythos. They were sea gods with the upper body of a human, the lower front of a horse, the tail of a fish, and lobster-claw horns on their heads!

Scylla was a monster that lived on one side of a narrow channel of water, opposite her counterpart Charybdis. She first appeared in Homer's Odyssey.

Typhon was a monstrous serpentine giant and the most deadly creature in Greek mythology. He is believed to be the son of Gaia and Tartarus.

In Greek mythology, the Ophiotaurus was a creature that was part bull and part serpent. Despite its popularity, its only reference is found in Ovid's Fasti!

A cockatrice is a mythical beast. It is a two-legged dragon creature with a rooster's head. It was first described in the late 14th century.

In Greek mythology, Graeae translates to "old women" or "grey ones". They were three sisters who shared one eye and one tooth among them!

Known as "she-viper" in Greek mythology, Echidna was a monster made of half-woman, half-snake! She was the mate of Typhon and the mother of Orthrus.

Nemean Lion was a vicious monster in Greek mythology. Although its claws were sharper than mortals' swords and could cut through any armor, it was eventually killed by Heracles!

In Greek mythology, the Erinyes were also known as the Furies. They were female chthonic deities of vengeance who were sometimes referred to as "infernal goddesses".

Sea monster Charybdis was believed to live under a small rock on one side of the Straight of Messina. According to Greek mythology, Charybdis was estimated to be about 75 feet wide!

A harpy was a half-human and half-bird seen in Homeric poems. Ovid, among others, referred to them as human vultures!

In Greek mythology, a satyr has horse-like ears and tails and permanent, exaggerated... erections! They are known for their focus on sexual desires.

Sirens were dangerous creatures who lured nearby sailors to shipwreck with their enchanting music and singing voices. They appeared as a combined woman and bird.

The griffin is a legendary creature with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion, the head and wings of an eagle, and an eagle's talons as its front feet. Griffins are known for guarding treasure and priceless possessions.

In Greek mythology, gorgons had hair made of living, venomous snakes. Did you know that Stheno and Euryale were immortal but Medusa was not?

Pegasus is a divine winged stallion! It is the child of Poseidon and is one of the most recognized creatures in Greek mythology.

The manticore is a Persian legendary creature similar to the Egyptian sphinx. It has the head of a human, body of a lion and a tail with venomous spines.

Well here's a different one! Did you know that Mothman comes from West Virginian folklore? Mothman is connected to supernatural events, sightings and allegedly the collapse of the Silver Bridge!

Capricornus is one of the constellations of the zodiac. Its name is Latin for "horned goat". It is commonly represented in the form of a sea-goat - half fish, half goat!

The thunderbird is a legendary creature in North American indigenous history and culture. It is considered a supernatural being of power and strength.

In Old English folklore, werewolves are considered man-wolves. They are humans with the ability to transform into a wolf, either on purpose or as a result of a curse.

The unicorn is a legendary creature with a single large, pointed, spiraling horn projecting from its forehead! Did you know that the unicorn appears in mythology all throughout the world?

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