Alphabetically ordered, this book contains over 4000 entries which describe the origins and significance of mythological beings and legendary figures and events from a range of cultures and ages. The breadth of coverage includes: gods and goddesses from the major world faiths; legends, rites and beliefs from religions and cults from all ages of mankind; sprites, spirits and monsters from folklores of ancient civilizations in Eastern and Western Europe, and from the Americas and Australasia; fabulous beasts, birds, insects and fish featuring in the iconography or animism of diverse cultures; and legendary characters and fabled events from the literary traditions of many nations, including anonymous sources in folk tales, nursery rhymes, ghost stories. It is aimed at the general reader and at students of anthropology, sociology, history, comparative religion, folklore and literature.