The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A–Z of Fantastic Beings from Myth and Magic. John Matthews

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      BOQS

      The Salish people of the north-west Pacific coast of America speak of the Boqs as a humanoid being that walks with a stoop on its hind legs while its arms swing to below its knees. The whole body is covered with thick long hair, but its most striking feature is the male of the species, which has a penis so long that it must be rolled up and carried in its arms. This rolled-up penis can become a weapon of attack in its own right, lashing out at tree trunks and breaking branches to terrify assailants. Although they are less often seen that formerly, the Boqs has not entirely left the land or become extinct, it is believed among the Salish that he still lives on King Island. Many people have reported hearing or seeing the beast when they are gathering clams or putting out their canoes. The Boqs has a distinctive whistling cry, though it can roar and thrash about in the forest. The stories of the Boqs very much resemble those told of Bigfoot.

      BORAK, AL

      This wondrous creature with a human head, the face of a woman, the ears of a donkey, the neck, mane and body of a horse, the wings of an eagle and the tail of a peacock was the magnificent mount on which Mohammed made his Night Journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and back again. So speedy was the journey that the water jar which the Prophet had overturned when he left had not spilt one drop of water or reached the ground when he returned. It is said that the same creature came to bear Mohammed to Heaven at his death. Al Borak was also the mount of the angel, Jibriol (Gabriel), travelling faster than the eye could see. Al Borak is pure white, though its mane, wings and tail sparkle with jewels and pearls. The breath of his body is like perfume. Some accounts say that Al Borak can engage in human speech. Elements of Al Borak are reminiscent of the Sphinx.

      BORBYTINGARNA

      In Norse legends, Borbytingarna is one of the names of the Trolls. In ancient times, they lived in the forests and mountains, and deep in the fissures of the rocks.

      BOROKA

      In the Philippines, the Boroka has the head and body of a woman, the wings of an eagle and the legs and hooves of a horse.

      BRAN THE BLESSED

      Bendigeidfran or Bran the Blessed was a giant, one of the sons of Llyr, god of the sea. His name means ‘Raven’. He lived in North Wales with his brothers and sister, Branwen, whom he allowed to be married to the abusive King of Ireland. When he heard of how she had been treated, he set out to rescue her, taking with him a great fleet. Bran’s body was so huge that he was able to use it as a bridge for his troops. During the grievous battle that ensued, Bran’s life-giving cauldron was used to help the dead soldiers come alive again, although the reborn warriors were without the power of speech. Bran succumbed to a poisoned spear during the battle. As he felt the poison stream through his body, he gave order that his head should be severed and brought to the White Mount in London, where it should be buried as a safeguard against invasion. His men did as he asked, but before they made the final journey with the head of their lord, they remained sequestered in an otherworldly hall for 87 years during which time the head of Bran maintained conversation with his followers. But after one of their number opened a forbidden door, the men, who had been out of time, felt the flow of time once again and they remembered all that had befallen them. They buried Bran’s head at the White Mount, which is the site of the Tower of London where ravens are still venerated as birds who maintain the sovereignty of Britain and keep it free of invasion. Bran’s guardianship of the land was questioned by the Dark Age battle-lord, Arthur, who believed that no man should keep the land safe save he alone, so he dug up the head. It is for this reason that we remember King Arthur as the one who guards the land and who will return to defend it and not Bran. Bran became part of the Grail legends as King Brons, one of the wounded Grail kings who is also known as the Fisher King.

      BRER RABBIT

      Brer or Brother Rabbit is one of the heroes of a cycle of tales told by African Americans. Like Anansi and Coyote, Brer Rabbit is a clever trickster who always comes out on top. These stories were a means by which slaves could empower themselves by cheering on the downfall of Brer Rabbit’s enemies and opponents, and laughing at the clever antics of the trickster. The Brer Rabbit tales were retold by Joel Chandler Harris in his Nights with Uncle Remus.

      A South Carolina story tells how Brer Rabbit and Brer Wolf both courted the same girl. Brer Rabbit told the girl that Brer Wolf couldn’t go out with her because Brer Wolf was his riding horse. Brer Wolf was incensed and demanded that Brer Rabbit immediately tell the girl the truth. Feigning sickness, Brer Rabbit inveigled Brer Wolf into carrying him to the girl on his back, and saying that Wolf must wear a saddle. This convinced the girl that Brer Rabbit was telling the truth. Throwing dust in Brer Wolf’s eyes, Brer Rabbit rode him home again.

      BRIAREUS

      In Greek mythology, Briareus was one of the 100-armed, 50-headed Hacatoncheires who were born to Gaia and Ouranos. He aided Zeus in the overthrow of the Titans. Briareus, along with his brothers Gyes and Kottos, was set to guard the fallen Titans who were chained down in Tartarus.

      BROLLACHAN

      This shapeless, unformed monster is a fearsome creature living in the Western Highlands of Scotland. Its very shapelessness strikes terror into the heart, and the Brollachan assume whatever shape you most fear in your imagination.

      It happened that a poor crippled man called Ally Murray who lived on the charity of the miller had an encounter with a Brollachan. One dark night, as he lay beside the fire, a Brollachan who lived in the millstream entered, drawn by the warmth of the fire. It was the child of a Fuath. The Brollachan had eyes and a mouth but could only say two words, ‘Mi-phrein’ and ‘Tu-phrein’, or ‘myself’ and ‘thyself’. It cast itself down by the fire just as Ally was throwing on another log as it had began to burn low. Sparks flew out and burnt the Brollachan who cried out. The Fuath from the millstream rushed in shrieking, ‘Who’s burnt my Brollachan?’ It replied to its mother, ‘Me and thee.’ Giving Ally a hard stare, the Fuath grumbled, ‘Well if it had been anyone else, I’d be revenged on them.’ Ally slipped away with a sack over his head and lay down in the machinery of the mill, hoping he would survive until the morning. He was fortunate because the Fuath had disgustedly gone to seek her revenge elsewhere, chasing a poor woman who had been out that night. Let us hope he never encounters a Brollachan when it has grown up!

      BRONTE

      In Greek legend, Bronte was one of the horses of the sun who pulled the chariot of Helios. Bronte was harnessed by the Horae, the nymphs who govern time, for the morning circuit of the sun chariot. At twilight, the horses cropped the herbs of the Island of the Blessed all night until the next dawning.

      BROWNIE

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