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10.

Mermaid

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Mermaids have a unique allure that has captivated people throughout history. Myths of half-human,
half-fish creatures can be traced all the way back to ancient Babylon. Similarly, merpeople are featured
in Syrian, Polynesian, and Greek mythology. While some cultures depicted mermaids as beautiful and
romantic (in Irish folklore, mermaids could transform into human form and marry humans), sometimes
mermaid stories took on a more sinister tone where they were capable of foretelling and bringing
disaster.

11. Aqrabuamelu

The aqrabuamelu, or scorpion man, is a monstrous creature that originated in ancient Mesopotamia,
specifically in Babylonian creation myths. They are a hybrid of a scorpion and a man, with the body of a
scorpion and the face, torso, and arms of a man. While they are terrifying in appearance and were
created to wage war against gods, they also stand as guardians and often warn travelers who might be
in danger.

12. Minotaur

According to Greek myth, the Minotaur was the offspring of the queen of Crete and a majestic bull that
came from the sea. The Minotaur had the body of a man with the head and tail of a bull. King Minos,
was so horrified by this creation that he had a complicated maze called the Labyrinth built in order to
imprison him.

13. Centaurs

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Another human and animal hybrid from Greek legend is the centaur. Centaurs have the body of a horse
with the head and chest of a human. While these creatures were widely depicted as wild, there was a
centaur named Chiron (or Cheiron) who possessed great wisdom. He tutored several characters of
Greek myth.

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