Stories whispered in hushed tones. Tales told to children over campfires. Online creepypasta posts. Our interest in cryptids is enduring. But what even is a cryptid? And why do we find them so fascinating?
The term “cryptid” is relatively new, alleging to have first been used as a noun by John E. Wall in the ISC Newsletter in 19831. The term transparently came from the word “crypt” stemming from Latin “crypta” meaning “vault”, and from the Ancient Greek “kruptós” meaning “hidden”2. By their very name, cryptids are hidden creatures. The generally accepted definition of a cryptid is a creature known only from legend, the existence of which has not been proven by scientific observation.
Can a cryptid evolve into being classified as a regular animal? Historically, yes. One of the more famous examples of this is the gorilla. Explorers heard tales of the “monster-like” creatures for centuries. Scant sightings were reported, but generally it was assumed that witnesses were misidentifying chimpanzees or baboons3. Eventually, bones were found. Taking a look at a gorilla skull, it seems easy to imagine it belonged to some fantastical beast:
Dr Thomas S. Savage formally identified the creature within the western world, denoting it as Troglodytes Gorilla. Known to the native people of Africa as the Engēena, Savage noted that the creatures were seldom encountered by humans; killing an Engēena was considered to be a feat of great skill, signalling great honour4. Interestingly Savage notes that Orangs (Orangutans) are regarded as degenerate humans by the native people. Chimpanzees are said to have the spirit of a Coast-man, and the Engēena/Gorilla the spirit of a Bush-man5.
Perhaps this is what separates cryptids from mythical creatures; the uncertainty surrounding their existence. People generally do not claim to have seen a dragon or a unicorn in earnest, but when I went to see the Redwoods in California I found that the majority of people I spoke to had a tale of a personal Bigfoot encounter.
So, what are the key characteristics of a cryptid?
- A lack of scientific verification. Unfortunately, blurry photos and alleged footprints don’t quite cut it within the scientific community. Generally there are no confirmed specimens, no bones, no DNA. When an alleged sample has been collected, there is generally a lot of drama around any scientific testing (google Chupacabras for a ton of examples)
- Cultural significance. Local cryptids often end up becoming deeply entwined within local folklore and traditions. Mothman put Point Pleasant on the global radar- one can visit the Mothman statue, drink some Mothman coffee, and even grab a pizza in the shape of the beast.
- Geographic specificity. Cryptids tend to have tight geographical bounds. Similar creatures in different areas will often have differing names, or the names of creatures will evolve as their legends travel alongside migrating humans. For an example of this, see my post on the Rougarou: The evolution of the French Loup Garou into the modern Rougarou and Ligahoo
- Overlap with folklore. Perhaps the most important requirement of a cryptid is that it makes a good story. Some creatures seem to have evolved from purely mythological figures into cryptids in the eyes of believers, such as werewolves or certain sea monsters
The final above point ties into why we love cryptids. They make great stories! Humans love to be scared (in safe environments), and cryptids dip into our fears of the unknown. Sometimes they can even be used as a vehicle to pass on local history, or lessons to children (such as La Llorona being used to discourage children from walking near rivers at night). More cynically they also provide an excellent tourism opportunity; if you put on a festival themed around your local cryptid, people will likely come.
Cryptids are a modern form of folklore, evolving and adapting with each retelling. They are shaped by local beliefs, cultural anxieties, and the ever-evolving landscape of scientific understanding. While science demands concrete proof, folklore embraces the power of narrative and the enduring human fascination with the unknown.
Whether you believe in cryptids or not, they offer a fascinating insight into local beliefs and cultures. They remind us that even in our modern age, there are still whispers in the shadows, waiting to be heard.
References
- Cryptid on Wiktionary https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/cryptid ↩︎
- Crypt on Wiktionary https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/crypt#English ↩︎
- Seven species that used to be cryptids by Leecy Davis https://blogs.iu.edu/sciu/2020/12/12/seven-cryptids-species/ ↩︎
- Communication from Dr. Thomas S. Savage in Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, page 245 https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/9490929#page/254/mode/1up ↩︎
- Ibid ↩︎