This is a list of giants and giantesses from mythology and folklore; it does not include giants from modern fantasy fiction or role-playing games (for those, see list of species in fantasy fiction).
In Balkan folklore, a dhampir is a mythical creature that is the result of a union between a vampire and a human. This union was usually between male vampires and female humans, with stories of female vampires mating with male humans being rare.
Prende or Premte is the goddess of dawn, love, beauty, fertility, health and protector of women, in the Albanian pagan mythology. She is also called Afër-dita, an Albanian phrase meaning "near day", "the day is near", or "dawn", in association with the cult of the planet Venus, the morning and evening star. Her sacred day is Friday, named in Albanian after her: e premte, premtja. In Albanian mythology Prende appears as the daughter of Zojz, the Albanian sky and lightning god.
Shurdh is a weather and storm god in Albanian pagan mythology, who causes hailstorms and throws thunder and lightning. Shurdh was worshiped in northern Albania until recent times.
Djall or Dreq is the personification of evil in Albanian mythology and folklore. The name is used also for a demon of fire.
The kulshedra or kuçedra is a water, storm, fire and chthonic demon in Albanian mythology and folklore, usually described as a huge multi-headed female serpentine dragon. The kulshedra is believed to spit fire, cause drought, storms, flooding, earthquakes and other natural disasters against mankind. In Albanian mythology she is usually fought and defeated by a drangue, a semi-human winged divine hero and protector of mankind. One of her greatest fights was against the daughter of the Sun deity and the Moon deity who tried to protect her loved one by using her powers. Heavy thunderstorms are thought to be the result of most of their battles. Others include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and cyclones.
Albanian folk beliefs and mythological stories comprise the beliefs expressed in the customs, rituals, myths, legends and tales of the Albanian people. The elements of Albanian mythology are of ancient Paleo-Balkanic origin and almost all of them are pagan. Albanian folklore evolved over the centuries in a relatively isolated tribal culture and society. Albanian folk tales and legends have been orally transmitted down the generations and are still very much alive in the mountainous regions of Albania, Kosovo, western North Macedonia, Montenegro and South Serbia and among the Arbëreshë in Italy and the Arvanites in Greece.
Donika Arianiti, was an Albanian noblewoman and the spouse of Albanian leader and national hero Skanderbeg. She was the daughter of Gjergj Arianiti, an earlier leader in the ongoing revolt against the Ottomans.
Zana is an Albanian mythological figure usually associated with mountains, springs and streams, forests, vegetation and animals, human vital energy and sometimes destiny. Zana is thought to have been originally a pre-Roman deity, and an Illyrian goddess equivalent of the Ancient Greek Artemis and Roman Diana.
In Albanian mythology, the shtojzovalle, also known as shtojzorreshta, shtozote is a small creature with supernatural powers and of extraordinary beauty. They are invisible woodland creatures, which can be seen by humans only on rare occasions and are fond of song and dance.
Refo Çapari (1884–1944) was an Albanian politician and religious leader. Çapari was the first prefect of the Vlorë County and the first biographer of Ismail Qemali. He is considered to be the introducer of the Baháʼí Faith in Albania.
Little Constantine is a legendary figure of Albanian folk poetry. In northern Albania he is also known as Aga Ymeri, in southern Albania as Ymer Ago, among the Arbëreshë as Konstandini i Vogëlith, and in Byzantine acritic songs as Κωσταντίνος ό μικρός, Konstantinos o Mikros. This character reflects the theme of the reunification of husband and wife in Albanian folklore, as did Odysseus in ancient Greek mythology.
The national symbols of Albania are symbols that are used in Albania to represent what is unique about the nation, reflecting different aspects of its culture and history. The symbols may also be used in the Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Greece (Chameria), Serbia and by the Arbëreshë in Italy.
Bardha is an Albanian mythological creature. According to old folklore, in order to appease them one distributes sugar or leaves cakes on the ground. It is similar to Zana e malit. In Albanian popular belief they are pale, nebulous figures who dwell under the earth.
The lubia or ljubi is a water and storm demon in Albanian mythology and folklore, usually depicted as a huge multi-headed female serpentine dragon similar to the kulshedra. In Southern Albanian beliefs, she is a storm deity. She is also referred to as ‘mother lubia’.She is known for her disturbingly huge appetite and eerie personality. Both of which characteristics are based on the fierce impression the sea gives you on stormy weather. The native people used hyperbole and made a vile creature out of the bad weather conditions.
Perria or Pehria is a fairy-like mountain figure in Albanian mythology and folklore.
Stihi is a fire-breathing storm demon in Albanian mythology and folklore, similar to the kulshedra.
A lugat or liogat is a vampire-like being in Albanian mythology. They abide in shadows and darkness, especially places that never see sunlight, such as inside water wells, old ruins, and caves. They have a frightening visage and are extremely violent. A lugat can fly and ride the winds, and assails his victims in their sleep. He also lures people, especially children, to himself while he is concealed in darkness. As undead they can't be killed during night but if they are caught in their graves, they can be burnt to death. Lugats are often believed to wear the skin of a dead person and have long fingernails. In Albanian, the word llugat is also used to describe a wicked or frightening person.
The Vitore is a household divine serpent in Albanian mythology and folklore, associated with human destiny, good fortune and the souls of the ancestors. In folk beliefs the household serpent is strongly related to the cult of the hearth (vatër) and it is especially considered the guardian of the family and the house.
E Bukura e Detit is a character in Albanian mythology and folklore, depicted in some traditions as a sea-fairy / nymph, and in other traditions as a sea goddess, the counterpart of e Bukura e Dheut and i Bukuri i Qiellit. In some Albanian traditions she is regarded as the sister of e Bukura e Dheut.
Talas is a sea-storm god in Albanian mythology and folklore. A mythical tale concerning the god Talas has been documented in the early 20th century from the Shala region in northern Albania.