The Ultimate Guide to Mythical Fire Creatures in Legends and Folklore

Allow me to take you on a journey through the mystical lands of the past.

To tell you ancient tales of mythical fire creatures that were once said to roam our lands and skies.

These beasts were no match for mere mortals, and for those fire elementals that saught harm, only the fiercest and strongest of warriors could defeat them.

Some of these creatures were benevolent protectors, and creatures such as the Phoenix have since become positive symbols of power and rebirth.

You'll be able to recognise some of the fiery beasts on this list, as they commonly make appearances in fantasy genre films/TV shows/books/etc.

This includes the Phoenix, most notably seen in Harry Potter. The Fire Spirit Salamander, most notably seen in Frozen 2. Or Surtr, most notably seen in the Marvel film Thor: Ragnarok.

But others you may have never heard of before, such as the Cherufe - a destructive humanoid monster in the Mapuche Mythology of Chile, which is made of volcanic magma and fire.

Read on to discover all of the fiery beasts/spirits/magical beings found in mythology and folklore from across the world!

Celtic Folklore

Caorthannach - fire-conjuring Demon/Serpent/Witch

• Appearance: This evil creature was part Demon, part Serpent, and part Witch, giving her a hideous Medusa-like appearance as she slithered around causing chaos, death, and destruction. She could also be found living in lakes.
• Abilities: The Caorthannach has the ability to breathe fire and would often maliciously burn down villages and family homes, as well as burn up or poison the wells. It was said that she was invincible, apart from a single mole on her left side which made her vulnerable. Even in death, she could be brought back to life if one of her bones are snapped.
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: Terrifyingly dangerous!

German Folklore

Kobolds - fire Fae

• Appearance: While they remain invisible, those who have caught a glimpse say that they are around the size of a small toddler, slightly hunched, and sometimes dressed in a red coat and hat with a brim.
• Abilities: Invisibility, shapeshifting (into animals such as cats, hens, snakes, inanimate objects, and fire) and when they move through the air they look like a stripe of fire.
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: Can be mischievous and easily offended/temperamental, but they are generally friendly beings who offer household assistance, or assistance to those working in caves or mines.

Norse Mythology

Surtr - a primordial Jötunn fire Giant

• Appearance: A humanoid Giant with a bright flaming sword, can also embody the volcanic fire of the Underworld while in battle.
• Abilities: Born from the flames of Muspelheim (the fire realm), Surtr is a primordial being who is unimaginably strong, immortal, and possesses the ability to manipulate and embody volcanic fire from the Underworld. His flames were said to have engulfed the 9 Worlds (including Earth) in a catastrophic omnicidal event called Ragnarök, which then allowed for rebirth and new beginnings.
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: Evil being of chaos and destruction. Definitely avoid!

Ancient Egyptian Mythology

Phoenix - fire Bird

• Appearance: An eagle-sized bird with magnificent gold and scarlet feathers, and long Peacock-like tail feathers.
• Abilities: When coming to the end of its life, the Phoenix will engulf itself in flames and will bore a new Phoenix. Hence why this mythical bird is the symbol for death and rebirth, new beginnings and balance.
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: Quite friendly.

Greek Mythology

Lampads - fire (and Underworld) Nymphs

• Appearance: Nymphs are beautiful young women who are lesser deities who attend to the whims of Gods and Goddesses. They are very closely associated with the nature of their environment, and as they live within Hades' Underworld (Hades is the King of the Underworld/God of the Dead), Lampads are closely associated with/personify Death.
• Abilities: The bright torches that they hold to light the paths for the dead are said to have the power to drive one mad. Lampads also have the ability to use illusions and black magic to deceive. Originally, the Lampads were a gift from Zeus (King of Olympus/God of the Sky) to Hecate (Goddess of Witchcraft, Crossroads, Creatures of the Night, and the Moon) as gratitude for her help in the Titanomachy (the war between the Titans and Olympians), and so are frequently regarded as Hecate's companions throughout her nighttime travels. They also attend to Persephone (Queen of the Underworld/Goddess of Spring).
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: Can be good or evil, but will likely play tricks on you.

Chimaera - fire-breathing Monster

• Appearance: A beastly hybrid Monster with the head & body of a male lion, an additional head of a goat on her back, and a tail ending with a venomous snake head. She is one of the many Monsters born by Typhon (God of Storms and Monsters/one of the deadliest Monsters in Greek Mythology) and Echidna (half Nymph, half Monster/Mother of all Monsters). And so therefore the Chimaera is sibling to other famous Monsters such as the Nemean Lion, the Hydra, Cerberus, Ladon, the Sphinx, and more.
• Abilities: The Lycian Chimaera is able to breathe fire from its lion head, and its snake tail head is extremely venomous. She possesses great strength and size, and is incredibly deadly in battle.
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: Most definitely dangerous.

Mapuche Mythology (Chile)

Cherufe - fire Monster

• Appearance: An entity made of living magma and volcanic stones, and can grow as tall as 12 feet.
• Abilities: Extreme heat, strength, and can cause volcanic eruptions.
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: Dangerous and sadistic, they also have an appetite for virgin sacrifices.

Aztec Mythology

Xiulcoatl - fire Serpent/Dragon

(pronounced: shee-oo-ko-ah-tl)

• Appearance: A turquoise fire serpent with a black upturned snout, large curved fangs, short front limbs with dagger-like claws, and a tail.
• Abilities: Associated with Xiuhtecuhtli (an Aztec fire deity), this creature was said to carry the sun across the sky each day, and is therefore associated with calendars, time, light, and fire. It can also breathe fire and is fire-resistant.
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: Friendly, just going about his duties of carrying the Sun around all day.

Arabic Mythology

Jinn - fire (and wind) Spirit/Demon

• Appearance: As they're shapeshifters, they can appear as a human or animal, sometimes even giant-sized. They do not reveal their true form to humans as it is too terrifying. However, they are said to be spirits made out of smokeless fire.
• Abilities: Can conjure/manifest/transform anything at their will, and have the ability to shapeshift into any form they choose. They also possess immense strength and are extremely resilient to human weapons - apart from magic.
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: Unpredictable, can be good and evil (don't get on their bad side!).

Ifrit - fire Spirit/Demon

• Appearance: They often present themselves as giant humanoid creatures with wings, but as Ifrits are a type of Jinn, they too are shapeshifting beings made out of smokeless fire and do not reveal their true form to humans.
• Abilities: Much like the above, it can conjure/manifest/transform anything at their will, and they have the ability to shapeshift into any form they choose. They also possess immense strength and are extremely resilient to human weapons - apart from magic.
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: More wicked and unpredictable than normal Jinn, but can be both good and evil.

Japanese Lore

Basan - fire-breathing Bird

• Appearance: A slightly large chicken-like bird with brilliant red, green and blue feathers, and a red fleshy comb shape on its head like a Cockrel.
• Abilities: It can spit fire, however, the fire is said to be unharmful and more like a glow. The Basan can also vanish if it thinks it has been spotted.
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: Friendly, but wants to be left alone.

Tsurubebi - fire Spirit

• Appearance: A small tree spirit that appears as a glowing and fiery white/blue orb that floats up and down. Sometimes you can make out a humanish/beastly face in the glowing blue flames.
• Abilities: Supposedly an immortal yokai, and is an embodiment of the element of fire (although the fire isn't harmful).
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: Friendly, but doesn't really care much for humans.

Chinese Mythology

The Vermillion Bird/Suzaku - fire Bird

• Appearance: Suzaku is a large Phoenix-like bird with magnificent vermillion-coloured feathers (hence the name) and a long elegant tail similar to a Peacock.
• Abilities: This spiritual creature was created from the Chinese Constellations and is also one of the 4 Great Beasts in ancient Chinese mythology and ruled the South/Summer season. The other Great Beasts were the Black Tortoise, the Azure Dragon, and the White Tiger and ruled the North, East, and West respectively.
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: Friendly. It symbolises peace and prosperity when it is seen.

Lithuanian Folklore

Aitvaras - fire Rooster/Dragon

• Appearance: If it is inside, then it will appear as a dark fiery-tailed Rooster. But if it is outside, then it will appear as a magnificent black Dragon that can be mistaken for a comet when it flies overhead.
• Abilities: Shapeshifting, flight, can bring good luck or bad luck to a household it becomes attached to, and it can also steal your soul.
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: Mostly a very friendly being, it can become attached to your home and never leave which could pose some problems - especially with how it will probably steal gold and grain from your neighbours. Also watch out for the soul-stealing part.

Medieval Folklore

Dragons - fire-breathing Beasts

• Appearance: Winged reptilian beasts that can grow to a variety of sizes depending on the species/habitat - most often they are massive in size, which is helpful when they want to overthrow a castle with a damsel in distress trapped inside. Dragons are usually burgundy, forest green, or stone grey in colour, and have a full row of dagger-like teeth similar to a T-Rex or any other prehistoric dinosaur.
• Abilities: Flight, extreme strength, ability to breathe fire, and thick reptilian skin that makes it very difficult to wound this magnificent creature.
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: Mostly dangerous, but if you're the princess it'll take care of you (whether you want it to, or not).

Fire Salamander - Elemental Spirit of Fire

• Appearance: They look just like normal Fire Salamanders (black with yellow markings) but they leave behind small trails of fire when they zip around, or can be seen as bright glowing orbs of fire. Other Elemental Spirits are Gnomes (Earth), Sylphs (Air), and Undines (Water).
• Abilities: The Fire Salamander is the spiritual and elemental embodiment of Fire. It can create, put out, and is resistant to fire.
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: Friendly, they are said to have taught the first humans how to make fire.

Seraphim - Angellic entities with fire abilities

• Appearance: They are metaphysical angelic beings most commonly seen with a bright and fiery aura. They have 6 wings - 2 of them cover its four faces, 2 of them cover its feet, and the last 2 are so that it can fly.
• Abilities: The Seraphim have the ability to impart God's holy and divine love onto humans, as well as purify their sins, emotions and thoughts. They can also conjure and manipulate fire and light. Their voices are said to be able to shatter glass and even kill a human if they were to hear.
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: Friendly, but they're more preoccupied with worshipping the glory of God.

Demons - hellish creatures

• Appearance: Ghastly, often with beastly features from multiple different animals. Each demon is different, but they rarely show their true for to humans due to how terrifying they are. So they will most often appear as humans, or animals (most commonly goats), or even dark shadowy figures/clouds.
• Abilities: Depending on the Demon you encounter, they possess knowledge beyond human comprehension, are immortal/omnipotent beings, very persuasive and tempting, and some control legions of lesser demons in the hierarchy of Hell. They also have the ability to shapeshift, possess humans, and have extreme strength.
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: Dangerous and deceitful.

Albanian folklore

Kulshedra - fire Dragon

• Appearance: An enormous and bright red serpent-like dragon with multiple heads, and she can also shapeshift into a human form.
• Abilities: Kulshedra can breathe fire and control the weather, seeing as she is a demonic water, storm and fire dragon from the Underworld. It's said that she can also possess the Sun and Moon, and would often cause weather-related destruction - only stopping her wrath if a human sacrifice is offered to her. She also has the ability to shapeshift into a human, and brings agricultural and livestock prosperity to the village she lives in.
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: Dangerous, especially if you don't appease her.

Slavic Folklore

Zmey Gorynych - fire Dragon

• Appearance: A green three-headed dragon with serpent-like features, small front paws, and can walk on its hind legs. It can also shapeshift into a human, other animals, or a more fiery form.
• Abilities: This creature has the ability to shapeshift into a human and is sometimes known to seduce women. It can also cast magic, breathe fire, regenerate, control the weather, and fly.
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: Dangerous, steer clear young maidens!

Firebird

• Appearance: A Falcon/Peacock-like bird with plumage in shades of scarlet, amber, and gold that is said to glow like fire. Even if a feather is plucked, it continues to glow just as brightly.
• Abilities: It has a magical fire-like glow, and can either bring blessings or misfortune to its captor.
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: Not friendly, probably because humans keep trying to pluck out its glowing feathers.

Balachko - fire (and wind) Giant

• Appearance: A gruesome giant with 3 male heads.
• Abilities: One of the heads could breathe fire, and another could breathe icy wind. With its great size, the Balachko was also incredibly strong and destructive.
• Friendly OR Dangerous?: Not friendly, will likely try to steal you if you're a damsel in distress.

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Currently residing in West Sussex, Maddie is a 26 y/o blogger and illustrator with a passion for mythology, legends, fairytales & folklore. You'll regularly find her escaping into fantasy books, films, TV, and games.