Mythological Beasts And Spirits: Freybug

“Best to stop,” the Shedu cautioned. “Hidden by the hoot of owl,
I perceive the furtive footsteps of the Freybug on the prowl.”
From: The Staff in the Tree by Robert Lambert Jones III

Also called the Hellhound and a Warg, the Freybug is something of a demonic canine from medieval English folklore. Perhaps the most famous Hellhound is Cerberus from Greek mythology. This is the three-headed dog who stands as the keeper to the gates of Hell. Milton even included him in his epic poem, Paradise Lost, which I recommend reading if you have the patience.

Cerberus and Hades (Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Crete, Greece).

The twelfth labor of Heracles was to bring back Cerberus. Here are two selections which portray this.

Cerberus and Heracles, etching by Antonio Tempesta (Florence, Italy, 1555-1630).

Heracles and Cerberus (1636) by Peter Paul Rubens.

On a more personal note, my oldest daughter owns a rescue dog whom she named Cerberus (Cerbie for short). Despite her large size and  ominous name, she’s actually an amiable pooch.

As a final offering for your viewing pleasure, here is the rendering of a Freybug by William O’ Connor from his Dracopedia: The Bestiary.