BEASTS OF LEGEND

Don’t read this list if you are scared easily: Top 10 scariest beasts

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What was your room like when you were a little kid? Do you remember fearing that monster under the bed or inside the closet? Don't worry, you're not alone. Since ancient times, humans have conceived and perpetuated myths and stories about supernatural beings, monsters, or creatures with terrifying physical attributes and incredible powers. Come with us to learn about these 10 terrifying mythical creatures of history! Are you brave enough to meet them?

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Before earning the nickname "Nessie," the legendary creature from Loch Ness has appeared in many tales from Scottish mythology. The story of the Loch Ness monster can be traced back to ancient times, with the earliest written mention dating back to the 7th century.

The myth gained popularity in the early 20th century when some features of the monster became famous, such as its huge size and long, dinosaur-like neck. To this day, some adventurers still dare to explore the waters of Loch Ness in Scotland, hoping to encounter the monster.

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This is one of the most feared monsters in Chinese mythology. Once you discover the qualities of this beast, you’ll understand its scary reputation.

The origins of this creature go back to ancient Chinese texts dating as far back as the 5th to 3rd centuries B.C. Bashe is described as a giant serpent mixing the bodies of a dragon and a python, and famous for its appetite for elephants, devouring them whole after chasing them.

But it doesn't end there. Legend has it that after three years of feasting, the Bashe regurgitates the bones of its prey. A creepy detail!

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In Greek mythology, Cerberus stands as one of the most famous creatures. As the watchdog of the underworld, Cerberus's duty was to prevent the escape of souls and to stop any living mortal attempting to cross the gates of Hades' realm.

But Cerberus is not an ordinary dog. Described in ancient Greek texts from the 7th and 8th centuries B.C., Cerberus is a huge hound with three heads and snakes growing out of his back. While accounts vary, some sources, like Hesiod's Theogony, attribute the impressive amount of fifty heads to this not-so-friendly dog.

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Have you ever experienced that sensation when something touches your leg in a river or ocean? Terror! Now, imagine what roams beneath the water is an immense fish capable of stirring the earth with its tail.

In Japanese mythology, this creature is known as Namazu, a giant catfish that lives beneath the islands of Japan, with the power to cause earthquakes. As you probably guessed, this myth is deeply linked to the usual seismic activity in Japan.

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The Griffin is a beast with the head and claws of an eagle combined with the body and tail of a lion. A fusion of two symbols of strength and nobility.

This creature was venerated, symbolizing power, prestige, and protection. But be careful, you don’t want to provoke its anger!

While Griffins can also be found in artistic representations from Ancient Greece and Rome, evidence reveals early descriptions of these beasts in Ancient Egypt, back to the 2nd millennium BC.

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When it comes to unique combinations, Greek sirens take a special place. We're talking about a woman's head and torso fused with a bird's body. But this isn’t the creepiest part.

In Greek mythology, these evil creatures that live near the sea are said to use their voices to tempt sailors. The tale of Odysseus, renowned for resisting the sirens' enchanting song, is a well-known example. He cleverly tied himself to the mast of his ship to experience the song but not succumb to it. Then, he instructed his crew to plug their ears with wax, ensuring they would not be seduced by the sirens.

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As if an ordinary squid wasn't creepy enough, ancient Scandinavian folklore brings us a mythological monster that's among the most terrifying on this list.

The Kraken, feared by all sailors crossing the sea between Iceland and Norway, is described as a monstrous cephalopod of huge proportions, capable of destroying ships and sinking them.

While tales of this beast's sightings date back to ancient times, one of the earliest surviving written descriptions of the monster dates back to the early 18th century.

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Have you ever walked through a forest at night? If not, learning about this myth might make you never try it. While not technically a monster, Banshee, from Celtic folklore, is one of the most terrifying legends, with tales dating back to the 8th century or earlier.

She is often described as a spectral female figure with red eyes and baggy, ragged clothing. Banshee is said to roam the forests at night, emitting scary screams that announce catastrophes to those who can hear her.

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Any beast walking upright on two legs is enough to cause chills. But if that creature doubles or even triples your size, fear intensifies.

That is the case of the Yeti, the famous bipedal monster that is said to live in the Himalayas. Described as an ape-like creature, but distinguished by its large size, it is often compared to our Bigfoot.

Many tales from both locals and adventurers speak of sightings from afar, encounters with its huge footprints, or creepy echoes of its grunts at night.

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Often hailed as one of the most fearsome figures in mythology, Medusa is also among the most famous.

With her impressive snakes for hair, she plants terror in anyone who encounters her. Legend has it that her power lies in the ability to turn anyone who meets her eyes into stone.

According to Greek mythology, Medusa is one of the three Gorgons, but she possesses a distinctive factor: mortality. In many interpretations of the myth, it is the Greek Perseus who seals her fate, using his sword to behead the mighty Medusa.

Go beyond "quiero más queso"

10 Spanish phrases worth knowing

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As the fourth most spoken language in the world and the second most spoken in the United States, Spanish is definitely one of the most ubiquitous languages. Whether you are on holiday in a Spanish-speaking country, or you need to speak to someone who only speaks Spanish, it is always a good idea to learn a few phrases to make communication easier. The following ten are some of the most used phrases when visiting unfamiliar places. Did you know any of these?

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A dialogue has to start somewhere. And what better way to start one than saying "hello" in a friendly manner, right? Spanish-speaking folks are no different and a kind greeting is always a good way to introduce yourself.

The Spanish word for "hello" is Hola (ow·luh). And a perfectly agreeable way to follow that would be a "nice to meet you," which in Spanish translates to es un placer conocerte (ehs oon plah-sehr koh-noh-sehr-teh).

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The second part of an introduction is presenting yourself (that is if you are not just simply asking for directions or something along those lines). At this stage, you might want to let your new acquaintance know your name.

You can do so by saying Mi nombre es… (mee nohm-breh ehs) followed by your name. This is the Spanish way of saying "my name is."

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Another advisable thing to know if you are traveling to a Spanish-speaking region is "Where is this address?" Whether you have a map or not, being able to get assistance from the locals is always a good thing.

If you have a map or can, somehow, show the address you need to get to, the correct way of saying this in Spanish is Dónde queda esta dirección? (don·De ke·Da e·sa Deer x ee on)

If you can pronounce the address, then the way to ask is Dónde queda…? ((don·De ke·Da) and complete the dots with the address.

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This phrase is a linguistic Swiss Army knife that can be used to get the correct word for absolutely anything you need. Being able to say "How do you say…?" in a foreign language is extremely valuable and luckily, very simple.

To say this in Spanish, you must say ¿Cómo se dice…? (Koh Moe Ze Dee Ze) followed by the thing you need to say in Spanish.

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This phrase can be of paramount importance if nature calls and you are surrounded by Spanish-speaking individuals. Knowing how to properly ask for a toilette in the local language is, perhaps, not your highest priority when it comes to learning local phrases but maybe it should be, just in case.

The right way to ask for a bathroom in Spanish is to say ¿Dónde queda el baño? (Don Deh Keh Dah L Bah Neeo), which translates to "Where is the bathroom?"

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As a cautionary measure, if you are not fluent in Spanish, it might be a good idea to disclose this information to the person you are speaking to. By doing so, you are excusing yourself for any confusion possible.

To say that you don’t speak the language very well, you can try with No hablo muy bien tu idioma (No Ah Bloh Mooi Bee In Too E deeo Mah). Or you can also say, No hablo bien en Español, which means "I don´t speak Spanish very well."

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These are pretty basic things to know. Being kind can take you a long way and it’s free so, why not use it, right? The correct way to say "please" in Spanish is Por favor (Pohr Fah Voor). And the right way to say "thank you" is Gracias (Grah See As).

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Likewise, other two very important things to learn are "I’m sorry" and "excuse me." Being courteous and well-mannered is universally appreciated and help will always be more readily available for a person who shows this kind of behavior.

The right way to say "I’m sorry" in Spanish is Perdón (pehr-dohn). And the correct way to phrase "excuse me" is disculpas (dees-kool-pahs).

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This one can also be crucial if you require assistance and the only people who can provide it are Spanish-speaking individuals. The simple phrase "I need help" can be used for someone who needs advice choosing a wine or someone who is in serious danger.

The correct way to say "I need help" in Spanish is, necesito ayuda (Neh Seh See Toh A Joo Dah).

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The final entry on this list matches the final words of your conversation with a Spanish-speaking person. Or, at least, a version of these words, since there are many ways to say goodbye in any language.

The phrase we are using here is a polite farewell that can be used with someone you have just met, similar to saying, "Goodbye, it was nice meeting you" and it is pronounced Hasta luego, fue un placer conocerte (Fooh Eh Oon Plah Sir Koh No Sir Teh).