Encyclopedia of Mythical Creatures - Southeast Asian Mythology

Unveil the Mythology of Thailand, Bali, Vietnam and much more!Journey through sun-drenched temples, jungle-clad mountains, and moonlit islands with the Encyclopedia of Mythical Creatures: Southeast Asian Mythology Volume. This beautifully illustrated bestiary unveils a realm where forest spirits whisper through bamboo groves, serpent kings guard rivers of fire, and ghostly maidens wander between devotion and vengeance. From the sacred plains of Cambodia to the volcano-shrouded shores of Indonesia, each page breathes with the pulse of ancient belief - a world where ancestors, demons, and gods share the same breath as the living.Discover Legendary Spirits and Divine Beasts:Meet Banaspati, the fiery guardian of the forest; Rangda, Bali’s terrifying queen of witches; and Phi Am, the shadow that suffocates sleepers in the night. Encounter the seductive Pontianak, who drifts beneath moonlight seeking retribution, and the noble Phaya Naga, serpent lord of the Mekong who commands the river’s tides. Wander through Thailand’s haunted villages, Malaysia’s misted jungles, and the Philippines’ enchanted coasts, where Aswang, Bakunawa, and Tikbalang still stir the imaginations of storytellers. Rooted in the animist traditions of the region and shaped by Buddhist, Hindu, and indigenous beliefs, these tales illuminate humanity’s oldest bond with nature - reverence, fear, and wonder entwined.Breathtaking Art for Every Spirit, Demon, and Guardian:Each creature is reborn through luminous illustrations - capturing the glow of temple lanterns, the shimmer of tropical rain, and the eerie calm of jungles at dusk. From the serpent coils of Ngư Tinh to the golden eyes of Ông Ba Mươi, every portrait radiates color, movement, and emotion. The art celebrates the living mythology of Southeast Asia - where every breeze carries prayer, and every shadow may conceal a soul.Inside this book, you’ll find:In-depth profiles of mythical beings such as Rangda, Banaspati, Phi Am, Pontianak, Phaya Naga, Bakunawa, Aswang, and Tikbalang - among dozens more.Cultural insights into how Southeast Asian mythology shaped temples, festivals, rites, and moral traditions across the region.Exquisite artwork that brings to life the creatures, spirits, and elemental forces that still haunt Southeast Asia’s imagination.A perfect reference for artists, historians, worldbuilders, and lovers of mythology from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.