List of Australian Aboriginal mythological figures facts for kids

The Indigenous people of Australia have a rich and ancient culture, filled with amazing stories about the land, animals, and the creation of the world. These stories often feature special beings, known as deities or spirits, who play important roles in their beliefs. These spirits can be powerful creators, wise teachers, or even playful tricksters. They help explain how the world came to be and how people should live.

The Rainbow Snake is a common feature of the mythology and art of Indigenous Australian cultures.

This list introduces some of these fascinating spirits and deities from different parts of Australia. Each one has a unique story and connection to the land and its people.

Spirits from New South Wales

• Baiame (Baayami): A very important creator spirit for some groups, like the Gamilaraay and Wiradjuri people. He is often seen as a sky hero.
• Bahloo (Baaluu): The Gamilaraay people believe this spirit is the moon. Bahloo is said to keep three pet snakes.
• Birrahgnooloo (Birrangulu): A Gamilaraay spirit of fertility. People would ask her for floods to help the land. She was one of Baiame's wives.
• Daramulum (Dharramalan): A sky hero and the son of Baiame and Birrahngnooloo.
• Yhi (Yaraay/Yaay): The Gamilaraay sun spirit and a creator. She brings light and life.
• Dirawong: A powerful creator being for the Bundjalung people.

Spirits from the Northern Territory

• Altjira: The Arrernte people's sky god. He is believed to have created the Earth.
• Bamapana: A Yolngu trickster spirit. He likes to cause a bit of mischief and disagreement.
• Barnumbirr: A Yolngu creator spirit, often linked to the morning star.
• Djanggawul: Three creator siblings from Arnhem Land stories. They helped shape the world.
• Galeru: A rainbow snake from Arnhem Land. Stories say Galeru swallowed the Djanggawul siblings.
• Julunggul: A Yolngu rainbow snake goddess. She is connected to important ceremonies, new life, and water.
• Kunapipi: A powerful mother goddess. She is a protector for many heroes.
• Mamaragan: The lightning deity. He makes lightning flash and thunder roar during storms.
• Mimi: Fairy-like beings from Arnhem Land. They are often described as very thin and living in rock crevices.
• Namarrkon (also Namarrgon): Known as the Lightning man. He creates lightning and the sound of thunder.
• Mokoi: An evil Yolngu spirit. Stories say Mokoi would kidnap and eat children.
• Ngintaka: A creator being for the Pitjantjatjara people.
• Wala: A solar goddess, bringing the sun's warmth and light.
• Wawalag: Yolngu sisters who were swallowed by a serpent. They were later brought back.
• Wollunqua: A snake deity linked to rain and fertility.
• Wuriupranili: Another solar goddess. Her torch is said to be the sun itself.
• Yawkyawk: Aboriginal mermaids. They live in waterholes, springs, and rock pools.
• Yurlungur: A Yolngu snake deity. He swallowed and then brought back the Wawalag sisters. He is also linked to new beginnings.

Spirits from Queensland

• Anjea: A goddess or spirit of fertility. People believe souls wait with Anjea before being born again.
• Gaiya: A giant devil dingo from the lower Cape York Peninsula.
• Dhakhan: An ancient god of the Kabi people.

Spirits from South Australia

• Akurra: A great snake deity for the Adnyamathanha people.
• Bila: A sun goddess for the Adnyamathanha people.
• Bunyip: A mythical creature said to live in swamps, rivers, and waterholes. Stories about the Bunyip are found across Australia.
• Muldjewangk: Water spirits who live in the Murray River.
• Tjilbruke: A creation ancestor for the Kaurna people.

Spirits from Tasmania

• Moinee: The Creator spirit or God for Tasmania.
• Droemerdene: Moinee's twin brother.
• Rageowrapper: A spirit that is believed to be malevolent or harmful.

Spirits from Victoria

• Baiame: A creator hero in southeast Australia.
• Balayang: A bat deity and brother of Bunjil.
• Bunjil: A very important creator deity for the Kulin people. He is often shown as an eagle.
• Bunyip: A mythical creature said to live in swamps, rivers, and waterholes.
• Gnowee: A solar goddess. She searches daily for her lost son, and her torch is the sun.
• Karatgurk: Seven sisters who represent the Pleiades star cluster in the sky.
• Nargun: A fierce creature, half-human and half-stone, from Gunai legends.
• Tiddalik: A famous frog from southeast Australian stories. He drank all the water in the land and had to be made to laugh to release it.
• Waang: A trickster and culture hero for the Kulin people. He is often shown as a crow.

Spirits from Western Australia

• Bagadjimbiri: A pair of creator spirits for the Karadjeri people.
• Dilga: A Karadjeri goddess of fertility and growth. She is the mother of the Bagadjimbiri.
• Ungud: A snake deity linked to rainbows.
• Wagyl: A snake-like creator being for the Noongar people.
• Wondjina: Cloud or rain spirits for the Mowanjum people.

Spirits Across Australia

• Rainbow Serpent: A very common and important figure in Indigenous Australian art and stories. This powerful snake is often linked to creation, water, and the shaping of the land.
• Erathipa: A large rock in central Australia shaped like a pregnant woman.

Other Spirits and Beings

• Kinie Ger: An evil creature, half-man and half-quoll (a native Australian animal).
• Thardid Jimbo: A giant who eats people in some stories.
• Yara-ma-yha-who: A monstrous, bloodsucking dwarf.
• Bluetongue Lizard: An elderly trickster character in some myths.
• Mar'rallang: The name shared by mythical twin sisters.
• Djunkgao: A group of sisters linked to floods and ocean currents.