Threshold
A role · 65 figures in all
The crossing point personified or guarded: the figure holds a door, gate, bridge, shore or boundary between states, and passage depends on it.
A role a story gives a figure, not a picture a figure fits. No reference work prints this as a headword, so the wording and the reading are both ours. What each was read from is not: the works named below, and their entries on these figures rather than the descriptions on this site. How this was made.
52 figures carry it. 13 others meet it without carrying it.
Carried by
Figures whose entries here read as carrying the role itself. Both readings marks a figure two independent readings placed here; one reading marks one.
Ab-ta both readings
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Ab-Ta."
Adar Llwch Gwin one reading
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Adar Llwch Gwin."
Akhlut both readings
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Akhlut."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Akhlut."
Ankou both readings
- Maria Leach, editor, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, s.v. "Ankou."
Anubis both readings
- Geraldine Pinch, Egyptian Mythology, p. 104.
- Maria Leach, editor, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, s.v. "Anubis."
Aqrabuamelu both readings
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Aqrabuamelu."
Arawn both readings
- translated by Lady Charlotte Guest, The Mabinogion, p. 167.
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, s.v. "Arawn."
- Patricia Monaghan, The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore, p. 22.
- Wirt Sikes, British Goblins.
Baku both readings
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Baku."
- F. Hadland Davis, Myths and Legends of Japan, p. 346.
- Michael Dylan Foster, The Book of Yōkai, s.v. "Baku."
Black Shuck one reading
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Black Shuck."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Black Shuck."
Blue Men of the Minch both readings
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Blue Men of the Minch."
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Blue Men of the Minch."
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, s.v. "Blue Men of the Minch."
- Patricia Monaghan, The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore, p. 196.
Bushyasta one reading
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Bushyasta."
- Maria Leach, editor, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, s.v. "Bushyasta."
Campe both readings
- Apollodorus, translated by J. G. Frazer, The Library, p. 474.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Campe."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Campe."
Centaur one reading
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Centaur."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Centaur."
- Timothy Gantz, Early Greek Myth, p. 21.
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Centaur."
Cerberus both readings
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Cerberus."
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Cerberus."
- Hesiod, translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White, Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns and Homerica, p. 9.
Charybdis both readings
- Apollodorus, translated by J. G. Frazer, The Library, p. 1.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Charybdis."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Charybdis."
- Timothy Gantz, Early Greek Myth, p. 356.
Dwarf one reading
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Dwarf."
- J. C. Cooper, An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Traditional Symbols, s.v. "Dwarf."
- Jeremy Black and Anthony Green, Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia, s.v. "Dwarf."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Dwarf."
Echidna one reading
- Apollodorus, translated by J. G. Frazer, The Library, p. 339.
- Hesiod, translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White, Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns and Homerica, p. 9.
Furies one reading
- Apollodorus, translated by J. G. Frazer, The Library, p. 540.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Erinyes."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Erinyes."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Erinyes."
- Timothy Gantz, Early Greek Myth, p. 15.
Gabriel one reading
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Gabriel."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Gabriel."
- Damiana L. Eugenio, Philippine Folk Literature: The Myths.
Hadhayosh one reading
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Hadhayosh."
- Maria Leach, editor, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, s.v. "Hadhayosh."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Hadhayosh."
Hantu Raya both readings
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Hantu Raya."
- Walter William Skeat, Malay Magic, p. 104.
Humbaba both readings
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Humbaba."
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Humbaba."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Humbaba."
- Jeremy Black and Anthony Green, Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia, s.v. "Humbaba."
Iris both readings
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Iris."
- Apollodorus, translated by J. G. Frazer, The Library, p. 502.
- Hesiod, translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White, Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns and Homerica, p. 98.
Jaculus one reading
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Iaculi."
Kelpie one reading
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Kelpie."
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Kelpie."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Kelpie."
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Kelpie."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Kelpie."
Kirkegrim both readings
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Church Grim."
- Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Church Grim."
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, s.v. "Church Grim."
Kolowisi both readings
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Kolowisi."
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Kolowisi."
- Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz, editors, American Indian Myths and Legends.
Kur both readings
- Jeremy Black and Anthony Green, Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia, s.v. "Kur."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Kur."
Ladon both readings
- Apollodorus, translated by J. G. Frazer, The Library, p. 510.
- Maria Leach, editor, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, s.v. "Ladon."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Ladon."
- Timothy Gantz, Early Greek Myth, p. 6.
Lamassu both readings
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Lamassu."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Lamassu."
- Jeremy Black and Anthony Green, Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia, s.v. "Lamassu."
- R. Campbell Thompson, The Devils and Evil Spirits of Babylonia.
- Robert Lebling, Legends of the Fire Spirits, p. 2010.
Michael one reading
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Michael."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Michael."
- Louis Ginzberg, The Legends of the Jews.
Mušḫuššu both readings
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Sirrush."
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Sirrush."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Sirrush."
Namtar both readings
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Namtar."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Namtar."
- Jeremy Black and Anthony Green, Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia, s.v. "Namtar."
Nehebkau one reading
- Geraldine Pinch, Egyptian Mythology, p. 168.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Nehebkau."
Ningyo one reading
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Mermaid."
- Arthur Charles Fox-Davies, A Complete Guide to Heraldry.
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Mermaid."
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Mermaid."
Ogopogo one reading
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Naitaka."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Naitaka."
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Naitaka."
Orthos one reading
- Apollodorus, translated by J. G. Frazer, The Library, p. 516.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Orthos."
- Hesiod, translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White, Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns and Homerica, p. 9.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Orthos."
- Timothy Gantz, Early Greek Myth, p. 22.
Ouroboros both readings
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Ouroboros."
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Ouroboros."
- J. C. Cooper, An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Traditional Symbols, s.v. "Ouroboros."
Pytho both readings
- Apollodorus, translated by J. G. Frazer, The Library, p. 182.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Delphyne."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Delphyne."
Scylla both readings
- Apollodorus, translated by J. G. Frazer, The Library, p. 510.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Scylla."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Scylla."
Sedna one reading
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Sedna."
- Maria Leach, editor, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, s.v. "Sedna."
Selkie both readings
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Selkie."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Selkie."
Sphinx both readings
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Sphinx."
- Geraldine Pinch, Egyptian Mythology, p. 206.
- Hesiod, translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White, Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns and Homerica, p. 9.
Surma both readings
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Surma."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Surma."
Talos both readings
- Apollodorus, translated by J. G. Frazer, The Library, p. 534.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Talos."
- Timothy Gantz, Early Greek Myth, p. 262.
Vision Serpent both readings
- Mary Miller and Karl Taube, An Illustrated Dictionary of the Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya, p. 181.
Xolotl both readings
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Xolotl."
- Mary Miller and Karl Taube, An Illustrated Dictionary of the Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya, p. 190.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Xolotl."
Met by
Figures read as meeting the role rather than carrying it: it is in their stories, held by something they meet, oppose, serve or are destroyed by. It is the commoner reading here, and saying so is the point: a bestiary is largely a catalogue of what the carriers of these roles encounter.
Ammit
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Aman."
- E. A. Wallis Budge, The Gods of the Egyptians, p. 2.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Aman."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Aman."
- Geraldine Pinch, Egyptian Mythology, p. 100.
Apep
- E. A. Wallis Budge, The Gods of the Egyptians, p. 272.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Apep."
Camazotz
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Camazotz."
- Maria Leach, editor, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, s.v. "Camazotz."
Cliodna
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Cliodna."
- Lady Gregory, Gods and Fighting Men.
Cwn Annwn
- Maria Leach, editor, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, s.v. "Annwn."
- Patricia Monaghan, The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore, p. 20.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Annwn."
- Wirt Sikes, British Goblins.
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Annwn."
Gallu
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Gallu."
- Jeremy Black and Anthony Green, Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia, s.v. "Gallu."
- R. Campbell Thompson, The Devils and Evil Spirits of Babylonia.
Liban
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Liban."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Liban."
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, s.v. "Liban."
- Lady Gregory, Gods and Fighting Men, p. 124.
- Patricia Monaghan, The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore, p. 288.
Nuckelavee
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, s.v. "Nuckelavee."
- Patricia Monaghan, The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore, p. 362.
Oschaert
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Oschaert."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Oschaert."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Oschaert."
- William Henderson, Notes on the Folk-Lore of the Northern Counties of England and the Borders.
Rahab
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Rahab."
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Rahab."
- Louis Ginzberg, The Legends of the Jews.
Samebito
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Samebito."
- F. Hadland Davis, Myths and Legends of Japan, p. 375.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Samebito."
Siren
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Siren."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Siren."
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Siren."
Sleipnir
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Sleipnir."
- John Lindow, Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs, s.v. "Sleipnir."
- Maria Leach, editor, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, s.v. "Sleipnir."
Not to be confused with: NOT merely living near a river, road or crossroads.