Day LXXXIX - Manticore

Tail of shooting spikes,

Lethal lion-hybrid strikes,

Brass tones of terror.

An incredible man-eating hybrid, the Manticore is a terrifying creature that has spread dread through a range of different mythical traditions. Like a masculine-version of the sphinx, the creature is commonly a composite of human head, a red lion body and a lethal tail of spiny poisonous spikes that it shoots to kill or paralyse its prey. The mythical beast - also understood to have a brilliant booming voice like a brass section - has its origins in ancient Persian legend and was believed to lurk in the far away lands of India. Tales of the Manticore spread to the leading intellectual arenas of Mediterranean antiquity and the creature consequently enjoyed a prominent resurgence in medieval European bestiaries. Despite its human traits and tuneful trumpet tones, the creature is a carnivorous horror desperate to rip flesh, sink its multiple rows of sharp teeth into meat and swallow victims whole. Flinging deadly arrows, the hybrid form of the Manticore is something to fear and, quite frankly, flee from without so much as a second thought.

Day LXXXIII - Simurgh

Extravagant wings,

Eminent shah of the sky,

Persian purity.

A marvellous flying hybrid of Persian mythology, the Simurgh is a griffin-like great bird said to have dog features (sometimes a human face) and lavish, extravagant feathers similar to a peacock. An icon across a range of Middle Eastern cultures - from ancient Iran through the medieval Byzantine empire and beyond - the fabulous wings of the Simurgh have adorned a wide array of artworks across the ages and is reckoned to live 1,700 years before burning up to be born again, phoenix-style. With immense wisdom as befits its old age, the creature is symbolic of purity, healing and fertility and is frequently figured as a helpful, benevolent bird in folk tales. Hailed as the almighty venerable ruler over all avian creatures and intercessor between earth and the heavens, the spectacular plumage of the Simurgh is a bonus that makes the being even more imaginatively-inspiring. Flying high on beautiful wings, here's to the majestic dog-bird of Persian legend.

Day LXVI - Pazuzu

Great evil spirit,

King demon spreads pestilence,

Dread wings of despair.

Well-known in pop culture thanks to his appearance in The Exorcist, Pazuzu is Babylonian mythology's dark wind demon plaguing the people of Ancient Mesopotamia. Bringer of storms, drought, famine and locusts, the sinister spirit spreads havoc and provokes feelings of horror whenever he makes his presence felt. Such is Pazuzu's reputation, he's looked to as a guardian to protect against other wicked spirits (he's so evil, even the most malevolent demons flee in fear) and, thus, has found himself immortalised in statues and amulets. The demonic king is often described as having a pair of wings, eagle's talons as feet, the head of a dog or lion, a scorpion tail and a serpentine penis. It's an icon of pure evil, awe-inspiring in its appearance and downright frightening to think about, especially if it's conflated with disease and the influence of the Devil. The wind demon of Babylon is bad news, but a brilliant mythical creature, nevertheless.

Day LIX - Sirrush

Scaly composite,

Babylonian icon,

Serpent of splendour.

An incredible composite creature from Mesopotamian mythology, the Sirrush is a dragon-like being of Ancient Babylon. A scaly reptile with crested horned head, a forked tongue, lion fore-claws and eagle-esque talons as its hind legs is a fantastical being is pretty prominent in Middle Eastern iconography and artwork. Gracing King Nebuchadnezzer II's great Ishtar Gate, the Babylonian beast also goes by the musical name Mushhushshu which makes the awe-inspiring hybrid even more exciting. The fact that its name literally means "Splendour Serpent" says it all, and the weird and wonderful reptilian revered in Ancient Assyria is an appealing and unique mythical monster that captures the imagination for sure.

Day XXXII - Mi'raj

Two-eared terror,

Killer rabbit of Islam,

Black horn skewers prey.

Emerging from Middle Eastern mythology with yellow fur and a sharp, black horn on its forehead, Al-Mi'raj is the killer rabbit of Islamic scripture. Believed to live on an island in the Indian Ocean, the creature is a rabid carnivore that can eat animals way larger than itself and petrifies the local populace with its protruding horn. Only calling up a witch to work her magic will save the locals and their livestock from the threat of Mi'raj, though whether the existence of the bloodthirsty bunny is a con conceived by the witches is a common point of conjecture. The all-consuming, unicorn rabbit of Islamic poetry that strikes fear wherever it points its horn, then: a truly eccentric two-eared terror.

Day XXVI - Djinn

Arabic demon,

Smoke spirit of the aether,

Hiding in a lamp.

The supreme supernatural being of Middle Eastern mythical tradition, a Djinn, Jinn, Jinni or Genie is a spiritual entity operating on another realm of existence to humans. Air spirits of 'smokeless fire', there's a wide array of definitions as to what a Djinn is; unsurprising considering that they've made grand appearances in everything from Islamic scripture to Arabian nights tales, Disney movies to Christmas pantomimes. The ethereal creatures are commonly understood to conceal themselves in the shadows or in objects like oil lamps and - depending on their personality, mood and motivation - may be looked to for assistance or magical aid. It may be a devoted servant; it may be a despicable demon; it may actually be a small child sent to save Sindbad the Sailor's skin again. Regardless, the Djinn is a paranormal overlord of immense versatility emanating out of Arabic legend.

Day VI - Karkadann

Lord of the desert,

Has a decorated horn,

Antisocial beast.

Reigning over the plains and desert lands of the Middle East, North Africa and India and looking totally ridiculous at the same time is the fearsome Karkadann. Translated from Persian as 'Lord of the Desert', it's described as a tetchy rhino-like beast who terrifies any intruders on its territory by charging at them with its massive horn, which is engraved with the likeness of a human head. Myths tell of them using the horn to hoist elephants and being an all-round brutal horror, but all it takes is the call of a ring dove to calm them. The Karkadann: scourge of the desert plains and priceless object of fantasy for antique dealers.