Mythical creatures in Burmese folklore

A wide variety of mythical creatures are found in Burmese mythology.

Most mythical creatures are endowed with humanistic mentalities, ability to converse with humans and also supernatural powers.

[1] During the 20th century, the role and diversity of Burmese mythical creatures were diversified by Shwe Thway comics which depicted the life of the Buddha, the Jataka tales and Burmese history.

[citation needed] The most common mythological being is the Belu, an ogre.

The popularity of the Belu is due to the Yama Zatdaw, the Burmese version of the Ramayana, a very popular play in Myanmar, and also their roles in the Jatakas.

Male and female forms of the Belu, depicted in a 19th-century watercolour
A Thaman Chah or were-tiger, from a 19th-century Burmese watercolour