Fantasy, mythology and horses, three ingredients in a recipe for absolutely amazing creations. Horses are noble and majestic animals, fantastical in their own right and have been the inspiration for numerous timeless tales like Black Beauty and Sea Biscuit. Horses have played a major role in epics like J.R.R Tolkiens the Lord of the Rings, with every hero having their own noble steed. Equestrian activities have been a big part of the history of man, the history of fiction, and the history of, well, history! Almost every religion, mythology and folklore contains various equine beasts and beauties. Here are 20 such startling creatures, each more fascinating than the last!
1. Each-uisge, a water spirit from Scottish Folklore
(By Liza Phoenix, Wikimedia Commons)
2. Cheval Mallet, the Mallet Horse from French Folklore
(By Tsaag Valren, Wikimedia Commons)
3. Hippocampus, the sea-horse popular in Greek, Roman, Phoenician and other mythologies
4. Horse-Face, and his counterpart Ox-Head, guardians of the Underworld in Chinese folklore
5. Pegasus, the Winged Horse from Greek Mythology
(By Mary Hamilton Frye, Wikimedia Commons)
6. Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse of Odin in Norse Mythology
(By W.G. Collingwood, Wikimedia Commons)
7. Chollima, the thousand-mile horse in East Asian Mythology
(By Nicor, Wikimedia Commons)
8. Unicorn, the mystical single-horned horse from numerous ancient folklores
(By Mohammad.m.nazari, Wikimedia Commons)
9. Uchchaihshravas, the Seven-Headed flying horse of Hindu Mythology
10. Hippalectryon or Hippalektryon, a half-horse half-rooster hybrid fantasy creature from Greek Mythology
(By Xenokles, Wikimedia Commons)
11. The Dragon-horse of Xuan Zang, from 7th Century Chinese Folklore
12. Helhest, the three-legged horse of Hel, in Norse Mythology
(By Tsaag Valren, Wikimedia Commons)
13. The Mares of Diomedes or Mares of Thrace, the man-eating horses of Diomedes, son of Ares, in Greek Mythology
(By Luis García, Wikimedia Commons)
14. Qilin/Kirin, the fire-breathing equivalent of the Chimera in Japanese mythology
15. Keshi, the Horse-Demon from Hindu Mythology
(By I, Sailko, Wikimedia Commons)
16. Centaur, a half-human half-horse beast from tales of Greek Mythology
(By John La Farge, Wikimedia Commons)
17. Hippogriff, the winged half-eagle half horse, derived from Greek Mythology
(By LadyofHats, Wikimedia Commons)
18. Longma, the dragon-horse hybrid from Chinese Mythology
(By Chloé M, Wikimedia Commons)
19. The Nuckelavee, a horse-demon from Orcadian mythology
By James Torrance, Wikimedia Commons)
20. Bäckahäst, bækhest, the brook horse or water horse of Scandinavian Folklore
(By Theodor Kittelsen, Wikimedia Commons)
Aerial View of World's Largest Airplane Graveyard
Aerial photos show patterns we wouldn't notice otherwise!
These Artists Turn Musty Old Shoes Into Colorful Art
They make these sculptures by hand, and this video will show you their artistic process.
Each Type of Lily Has Its Own Unique Colors and Patterns!
Hybrid Lilies like these are the most beautiful addition to every garden, requiring little maintenance and giving us beautiful flowers
The Incredible Beauty of Horses in Stunning Photography
Many beautiful horse breeds have been developed over the course of the centuries, but some are more beautiful than others... Take a look.
This Family Makes Art. The Beach is Their Canvas
This family creates art together! Imagine what it would be like to wander on the beach and see their work in progress.
When You Look to the Sky at Night, Look For These Figures
Get ready to become an astronomical expert with these depictions of the stories behind the most famous constellations in the world.
This Gorgeous 6-Year-Old Sings Like a Diva!
This 6 year old sings like some of the greatest women of the twentieth century. What a talent!
These Needle-Felted Cats Are Adorably Realistic
Japanese artist Mayumi Yamamoto makes incredibly lifelike cat portraits.
The Story of the Woman Behind Botticelli's Venus Painting
This article answers the age-old question: Who is the woman in Botticelli's painting The Birth of Venus?
It's a Pleasure Watching This Couple Dance This Old Dance
Even if you're not a fan of swing music, you cannot help but admire this talented couple.
These Charming Old Paintings are Like a Balm for the Soul
Marvel at some of the finest landscape watercolor paintings by renowned American artist Thomas Moran.
16 Unforgettable Tracks By Nat King Cole
Celebrate the beautiful music of one of the most influential jazz pianists and vocalists in history - Nat King Cole.
You'll Never Guess What This Dog Does For Its Owner!
This Japanese dog is certainly very patient and a very good model. Its human creates cardboard cutouts for it to model. View the hilarious results.
This Rope Jumping Act Takes it to an Entirely New Level
Watch as these Chinese acrobats somersault over skipping ropes in mid-air. This is not for the faint of heart!
Relax With a Few Moments of Heavenly Music
Take a few moments for yourself. Close your eyes and let the smile spread on your face as this sweet music spreads in the air.
30 Works of Art by Vincent van Gogh You May Not Have Seen
Van Gogh is an artist most well know for the severing of his ear and his painting Starry Night. Here are a few other treasures he created.
A Gorgeous Piece of Music to Uplift Your Spirits
These 2 cellists will take you on a musical journey of a lifetime.
These Phenomenal Acrobats Have Terrific Strength
These amazingly strong acrobats are going to effortlessly entertain you.
WATCH: Hungarian Symphony Orchestra Interprets Brahms
The Romantic composer, Johannes Brahms, completed a series of compositions called the Hungarian Dances. Enjoy Hungarian Dance no. 5 in this video.
Have You Read the 5 of the Greatest Poems Ever Written?
Discover some of the greatest poems that the history of literature has ever seen, along with a detailed analysis to complement them.
Rembrandt and the Jews: The Surprising Relationship
Why do religious Jews love Rembrandt? Was he Jewish? Answering the questions about the Dutch painter's relation to the Jewish people.
All Lovers of Films Should Watch These 7 Epic Biographies
Looking for your next cinematic obsession? You can't go wrong with these 7 epic biographical films.
30 Hilarious One-Panel Comics the Whole Family Can Enjoy
These clean and lighthearted comics will give you the giggles of a lifetime!
Gosh, These Artful Sculptures are Quite Brilliant
Discover some of the most creative and innovative street statues from around the world.
10 of the Most Famous Dog Paintings Throughout History
Dogs have been a part of art history through the ages. Let’s explore some of the most famous dog paintings ever made.
It is Amazing What This Artist Can Do With Two Strings
Listen to the beauty of a true Erhu master, creating exquisite music with just two strings...
The Blindfolded Swordsman - Intense!
Aaron Crow follows a long line of circus performers on the show, with a dangerous act that leaves the judges speechless.
Any Animal Lover Will Appreciate These Whimsical Artworks
Artist Roberto Rizzo uses rocks as a canvas for his animal paintings - and the results are incredibly realistic works of art.
20 Books You Should Read & Reread in Your Lifetime...
Here are the 20 novels you should not only read once, but again and again!
Will this Acrobat Blow Your Minds as Well?
Watch Kai Ho's dangerous and skilled acrobatic performance.
String Pulling Art - the Newest Art Technique Out There
Fluid string-pulling art is a fairly new and intriguing art technique that uses chains, strings, and colorful paints to create amazing bouquets of flowers
5 Hyper-Realistic Drawings That Just Seem IMPOSSIBLE
Prepare to be amazed by these incredibly lifelike drawings.
This Artist Uses an Unusual Tool to Create Magical Images...
Ralvin Dizon uses an unconventional medium to create his art.
11 Stunning Victorian Buildings Around the World
In this article, we list 11 of the finest examples of Victorian-era architecture. You’ll surely recognize some of them!
Leonardo da Vinci: Profile of a True Renaissance Man
We're about to uncover the real Leonardo da Vinci in this deep dive into the life and personality of this famous genius.
This Food Art of Kids' Favorite Characters Is Remarkable!
One mom turns her child's meals into amazing food art. Here are 20 of her greatest dishes.
Amazing! This Chinese Duet Can Dance Like No Other
Gao Lin and Liu Xin leave the judges speechless with their amazing dance act on Asia's Got Talent.
10 Stunning Renaissance Buildings That Survive to This Day
This article will walk you through 10 incredible examples of Renaissance architecture around the world.
Watch: This Visual Dance Act Is Out of This World!
The amazing dancing couple, Another Kind of Blue, bring new and exciting techniques to Britain’s Got Talent.
This Old Man Kept His Amazing Voice Secret Until He Was 60
When one unemployed 60-year-old Dutch baker's daughter secretly signed up her father to appear on Holland's Got Talent, no one could guess he would win...
Here's One Magic Trick That's Totally Bizarre...
Watch in awe as the incredible magician Brian Bushwood performs an outstanding magic trick called 'Psychic Surgery'.
You Have Never Heard Drums Played This Beautifully Before
Listen to these drums play in this incredible performance.
The Artist and The Horse: 10 Stunning Works of Art
Take a look at these stunning paintings of horses by these incredible artists.
This Interpretative Dance Made Me Scream With Laughter!
Watch David Armand ridiculously mime Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now,' while a couple of audience members try to guess the song. Hilarious!
André Rieu In Another Beautiful Operatic Sensation!
In this video, we are treated to an incredible rendition of Caro Nome by an incredibly skilled operatic singer.
This Orchestral Masterpiece Will Bring Tears to Your Eyes
Watch Plácido Domingo's incredible version of 'Silent Night' that will bring tears to your eyes!