5 famous dogs from myths and legends
From Cerberus, the three-headed companion of Hades, to Sir Gawain's loyal friend Gringolet, dogs have long been part of myths and legendary tales.
It's hardly surprising — dogs were the first animals humans domesticated, around 30,000 years ago.
Suffice it to say, our relationship with dogs is long and complex, steeped in symbols of loyalty, power and friendship. In today's article, we've put together five dogs from myths and legends that have captured our imagination through the centuries.
1. Cerberus
One of the most famous mythological dogs is Cerberus, the fearsome guard dog of the underworld and Hades' loyal companion. In Greek mythology, Cerberus is very often depicted as a black, three-headed dog with snakes growing from his back and a serpent's tail.
As Hades' monstrous guard dog, he had two jobs: to stop living beings from entering the underworld, and to stop the dead from escaping. Anyone who tried to flee Hades was swallowed by Cerberus — literally turned into a snack.
Despite his terrifying job and appearance, Cerberus had one charming quirk: he loved music. So much so that the mythical hero Orpheus managed to pass into the Underworld by charming the beast with a song.
Photo: Dogster
2. Moddey Dhoo
Moddey Dhoo is another legendary black dog, but far less terrifying than Cerberus. This calf-sized dog is said to haunt Peel Castle on the Isle of Man, located in the Irish Sea between Ireland and England.
According to legend, a brave soldier once tried to enter a tunnel in the castle where Moddey Dhoo was said to live, only to run back out screaming in terror. Three days later, he died of fright. The tunnel was never used again, although it's not clear whether that was because of Moddey Dhoo or simply because it was too eerie.
Despite his spooky reputation, Moddey Dhoo can actually be quite friendly. If you're lucky enough to spot Moddey Dhoo, don't be too alarmed — legend has it that this ghostly dog won't hurt you! In fact, the castle guards saw him so often that they eventually stopped being bothered by their ghostly visitor.
Photo: Dogster
3. Okuri-Inu
The Japanese also have their own version of a ghostly dog, known as Okuri-Inu. This spirit dog is said to follow travellers on their journey, and while that might sound reassuring, there's a sinister catch.
If you trip while walking, Okuri-Inu will take it as a sign that you're tired and try to eat you. To avoid becoming dinner, you need to convince the demon dog that your stumble was deliberate, by saying something like: "That's exhausting" or "I'm so glad I stopped on purpose to check out that muddy puddle".
If you reach your destination safely, you should thank Okuri-Inu by leaving it some food. Think of it as a treat for being such a good guard dog, rather than a killer!
Photo: Dogster
4. Cadejo
The Cadejo is a Central American mythological dog that comes in two forms: the white Cadejo and the black Cadejo.
The white Cadejo protects travellers from theft, harm and other dangers of the night. The black Cadejo, on the other hand, spells bad news. As well as leading travellers into danger, it also throws punches. So it won't just lead you to disaster — it'll fight you to get you there, because the black Cadejo can punch like the best human boxers.
What's more, the legends don't agree on which one is the protector and which one is the danger. To make things even more confusing, turning your back on the white or black Cadejo, or speaking to them, will drive you mad. So you'd better hope neither of them follows you on your travels!
Photo: Dogster
5. Tiangou
Chinese legends tell of Tiangou, a flying black dog who thought the sun was a tasty treat. So he ate it, causing a solar eclipse.
Naturally, people panicked. To save them, the god of fertility Zhang Xian had to fire arrows at Tiangou to scare the naughty dog off. Eventually Tiangou got frightened, which made him vomit the sun back up and brought the solar eclipse to an end.
Photo: Dogster
Final thoughts
These famous mythological dogs have captured our imagination for centuries, inspiring stories of heroism, loyalty and friendship. And while they may not exist in real life, it's clear that their presence is still felt in myths and legends around the world.
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