The god of monsters is an important figure in mythology, religion and folklore around the world. Monsters capture our imagination and represent powerful archetypes and symbols. Knowing which deity rules over these fantastic creatures provides insight into cultural beliefs and values. There are many potential candidates across pantheons – ranging from major gods to minor tricksters. This article will explore the top options and examine their qualifications to be considered the definitive god of monsters.
What makes a god the god of monsters?
There are a few key criteria that the god of monsters should meet:
- They have created, controlled or ruled over many types of monsters
- Monsters are their children, servants or sacred animals
- They use monsters and hybrid creatures in key myths and legends
- Their domain encompasses areas linked to monsters like death, the underworld, shadows, magic etc
- They have monstrous or shapeshifting abilities themselves
The more of these attributes a deity displays, the stronger their case is for the title. With these factors in mind, let’s examine some likely candidates.
Top Contenders for God of Monsters
Anubis (Egyptian)
Anubis is the Egyptian god of mummification and the afterlife. He is depicted as a jackal-headed god, linking him to canine monsters and hybrids. Anubis oversees judgement of souls and is lord of the underworld, where dangerous creatures lurk. He can be considered a proto-monster due to his therianthropic jackal head. However, he does not create or control monsters directly. With weaker qualifications than others, Anubis falls short as god of monsters.
Apep (Egyptian)
Apep is the ancient Egyptian embodiment of primordial chaos and darkness. He is depicted as a colossal serpent who battles the sun god Ra each night. As a monstrous underworld snake deity, Apep seems a strong contender. However, while powerful he is ultimately defeated daily by Ra. As a chaos monster who is constantly subdued, Apep lacks the authority and control to be the definitive god of monsters.
Set (Egyptian)
The Egyptian god Set is a master of violence, storms and disorder. He is often depicted as a mysterious creature called the ‘Set animal’ – a hybrid of a canine and aardvark. Set murders and dismembers his brother Osiris, invoking bloody chaos. He creates dangerous weather and creatures like scorpions. As a shapeshifter who unleashes disorder and rules the deserts filled with beasts, Set exhibits many attributes of a monstrous god. But crucially, he does not directly command monsters, reducing his suitability for the role.
Echidna (Greek)
In Greek myths, Echidna is known as the ‘Mother of All Monsters’. She is described as half-beautiful nymph, half-serpent. Echidna gives birth to many of the most fearsome Greek monsters including the Hydra, Chimera, Cerberus and Scylla. As the literal mother of famous mythic beasts, Echidna has a strong claim. However, she lacks independent agency or power, reducing her status. Ultimately, Echidna is an important monster creator but not a controller herself.
Typhon (Greek)
Typhon is a serpentine giant in Greek myths born from Gaia and Tartarus. He battles Zeus for control of the cosmos, unleashing fiery destruction. As the father of dangerous winds, Typhon shares some similarities with Echidna in birthing monster-like forces. But he himself does not command armies of beasts and is ultimately defeated by Zeus. So despite his epic battle, Typhon falls short of being the undisputed god of monsters.
Hades (Greek)
The Greek god Hades rules the underworld, home of hellhounds, harpies and spirits like the gorgons. His domain is filled with monstrous beings and mythical beasts. As lord of the dead and riches under the earth, Hades has authority over dangerous creatures who emerge from the underworld. But his control is limited to the subterranean regions, whereas the god of monsters would have universal command. So Hades is a key figure but not the definitive god of monsters.
Aita (Basque)
In Basque mythology, the underworld is ruled by Aita, a god with parallels to Hades and Satan. Aita is lord of a subterranean land called Euskal Herria, inhabited by spirits and half-human monsters. In some tales he takes the form of a snake or dragon. Aita’s underworld has connections to monsters and he exhibits shapeshifting abilities. But like Hades, his sphere of influence is restricted below ground. Overall, Aita is an underworld monster deity but falls short of true god of monsters status.
Yam (Canaanite)
Ancient Canaanite myths feature the primordial god Yam, a chaotic deity ruling the seas and oceans. In some texts, Yam is associated with the legendary sea monster Leviathan, depicted as a twisted serpent. As god of the abyssal deeps filled with leviathans and chaots, Yam could be interpreted as an ancient Semitic sea monster god. However, his appearance in surviving myths is too limited to confirm his status as their ruler. So Yam remains a speculative candidate lacking definitive proof.
Tiamat (Mesopotamian)
In Mesopotamian myths, Tiamat is the personification of the primordial salt waters and a monstrous dragon goddess. She gives birth to the first generations of gods and battles them in cosmic wars. As the embodiment of watery chaos, Tiamat created many dragons and monsters later slain by heroes like Marduk. HerDraconic form and spawning of beasts makes Tiamat a prime candidate. However, like Apep she is ultimately defeated and her creations turned against her. So Tiamat lacks full authority as queen of monsters.
Kali (Hindu)
The Hindu goddess Kali is a ferocious destroyer deity, usually depicted with black skin and multiple arms. She wears skulls, severed heads and serpents as gory adornments. In battle Kali takes on fearsome forms, stretching her tongue wildly and unleashing primal fury. While not the mother or commander of a monstrous army, Kali’s own bloodthirsty transformations connect her to the inhuman and grotesque. But as just one aspect of the overall cosmic order, Kali’s scope as a monster goddess is limited.
Rakshasas (Hindu)
In Hindu myths, the rakshasas are a race of demonic creatures embodying chaos and evil. They disrupt rituals, desecrate offerings and harass sages. Powerful rakshasas like Ravana have many monstrous qualities and command armies of deadly beasts. However, they lack the cosmic authority and status of a supreme deity. So while dangerous, the rakshasas are superpowered monsters rather than all-powerful gods.
Mara (Buddhist)
Within Buddhism, Mara is a demonic entity personifying temptation, sin and death. He commands an army of monstrous creatures who attack the Buddha with fearful illusions. As lord of this grotesque horde, Mara exhibits strong monster god credentials. However, he is ultimately powerless against the Buddha’s wisdom. Being unable to prevail diminishes Mara’s status as god of monsters.
Ah Puch (Mayan)
In Mayan culture, Ah Puch is the god of death and ruler of the underworld realm of Mitnal. He is depicted as a bloated, decaying corpse or skeleton. Ah Puch commands an army of terrifying beasts like jaguars, bats, owls and vultures. As lord of the hellish, beast-filled Mitnal, Ah Puch is a strong candidate for monstrous god status. But his jurisdiction is still limited to just the Mayan underworld.
Whiro (Polynesian)
Across Polynesian mythologies, Whiro is a god of death, darkness and monsters. He rules over spirits of disease and is said to disguise himself as a monstrous reptile or shark. Whiro commands an array of dangerous undersea creatures and denizens of the night. Of all the previous contenders, he exhibits the most attributes expected of the definitive god of monsters. But one deity arguably surpasses even Whiro for this role.
Chernobog – The God of Monsters
Attributes of Chernobog
In Slavic mythology, Chernobog is the god of darkness, death and evil. His name means ‘black god’ in contrast to the ‘white god’ Belobog. Chernobog rules over cursed, haunted places filled with monstrosities. He takes many twisted, hideous forms himself, feeding on vile things and spreading misfortune. Chernobog directs ghosts, vampires, werewolves and other horrors to terrorize humanity. Of all the contenders, these qualities make Chernobog the most compelling candidate to be crowned the god of monsters:
- Commands armies of ghosts, undead and demons
- Rules over darkness and evil, the realms most associated with monsters
- Takes on monstrous and hybrid forms himself
- Appears in tales as the antithesis to gods of light and life
- Derives power from human fear and suffering caused by monsters
No other deity so thoroughly embodies monstrous elements and wields control over nightmarish hordes. For these reasons, Chernobog stands above rival candidates as the prime choice for god of monsters in mythology and folklore.
Worship and Rituals
Given his associations with darkness and evil, Chernobog was not openly worshipped among ancient Slavic societies as other gods were. No temples or idols were built in his name. However, some evidence indicates he may have received secretive rituals and sacrifices pleading for his mercy. These would have been darker counterparts to rites honoring Belobog.
Folk traditions suggest offerings to Chernobog were made at crossroads, cemeteries and other accursed places. Ritual items included black animals, burnt meat, bone relics and blood. Whispered prayers asked for demons to be appeased and diverted against enemies. The most devoted occult followers even pledged their own souls in exchange for foul favors. These profane practices were viewed as dangerous devil-worship by early Christian authorities who condemned them.
In modern times, Chernobog continues to be an influential figure in occult circles drawn to the dark side of the supernatural. He serves as a symbol of humanity’s fear of the unknown evil that preys upon it. For pagans and neopagans seeking to reconnect to old Slavic heritage, reverence for Chernobog balances the worship of kinder gods like Belobog. This balance reflects the dualistic nature of reality. While dangerous and extreme, fascination with the Lord of Darkness endures.
Chernobog in Popular Culture
Though obscure compared to myths from Greek or Norse culture, Chernobog has influenced some notable works in modern fiction, film and music:
Fantasia
One of Chernobog’s most famous appearances is in the 1940 Disney film Fantasia in the ‘Night on Bald Mountain’ segment. This sequence depicts him summoning ghosts and restless spirits as a winged, horned demon presiding over a hellish ritual. While not directly named, this terrifying figure is clearly inspired by Chernobog and his associations with darkness. The animation brought him to wider public attention.
Hellboy
In the Hellboy comic book and movie franchise, the main character faces off against a beast known as the ‘Ogdru Jahad’. This creatures true name is revealed to be Chernobog – the ancient Slavic devil deity. He is the leader of monstrous ‘Ogdru Hem’ entities that aim to bring about the apocalypse. This adaptation casts Chernobog as a Lovecraftian ‘Elder God’.
Symphony No. 7
The Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich titled his Symphony No. 7 ‘Leningrad’, with its first movement nicknamed ‘Invasion Theme Chernobog’. While not explicitly about the dark god, this connection symbolizes the attack on the city as an evil force. The foreboding composition evokes Chernobog’s baleful presence presiding over wartime darkness and death.
Mythos: Slavic Folklore
The card game Mythos collects legends from different cultures into themed decks. Chernobog appears in the Slavic Folklore set via cards like ‘Chernobog’s Favour’ and ‘Chant to Chernobog’. These showcase him granting power to monsters and spreading doom. The game introduces the obscure deity to new audiences.
Chernobog (Weezer)
The rock band Weezer named a track ‘Chernobog’ on their 2021 album Van Weezer. The lyrics reference flying over ‘the black mountain’ – a direct nod to the ‘Night on Bald Mountain’ sequence. While not spelled out, Chernobog is clearly the subject of the song inspired by Fantasia. This brings the dark god’s name to modern music fans.
Conclusion
Chernobog’s shadow indeed looms large as the most compelling candidate for god of monsters in global mythology and folklore. His command of demons, ghosts and darkness along with his own monstrous aspects surpass rival figures from Egypt, Greece, Japan and beyond. As humanity’s mythic archetype for the uttermost evil, Chernobog spreads doom and suffering via the monsters under his command. His reign endures through occult worship and references in modern pop culture. So while benevolent gods receive open praise, the dread lord Chernobog remains seated on a dark throne in humanity’s imagination.
