Buzz
Financial concerns have always haunted individuals... and in moments of desperation, some might turn to the supernatural for financial relief!
10. Jambhala
Some people pray for wealth, and in certain regions, that prayer may be answered. In Tibet, there’s a god responsible for prosperity named Jambhala, who earned his role by enduring the demon's stone-throwing assaults aimed at the Buddha. This deity certainly has grit!
However, Jambhala is a Buddhist god, which means his understanding of wealth may differ from yours. His focus is on alleviating financial concerns that hinder spiritual growth. After all, it’s difficult to seek enlightenment when you're starving. But if you’re looking to amass fortune—having more than what you need—Jambhala won’t be the one to call on. His help is for necessity, not excess!
9. Jin Chan, the Frog with Three Legs
In China, people seek the aid of a statue featuring a three-legged frog to draw prosperity into their homes... and there’s a tale explaining why this is so.
Once, in ancient times, there lived a frog named Jin Chan, a greedy creature who would commit any crime—even murder—to amass wealth, which it hoarded in a great pile. A Daoist monk by the name of Liu Hai was determined to put an end to the frog’s villainy (and restore the local economy), so he confronted the creature at its stolen treasure. They fought for many days.
Liu Hai ultimately triumphed, wounding Jin Chan so severely that the monstrous frog believed it was certain to perish… but the monk showed mercy. He cared for the wounded frog until it recovered. Jin Chan, deeply moved by this act of kindness, vowed never again to steal wealth. Instead, it promised to help bring prosperity to those in need from that day forward.
As a result, many businesses and homes now display a statue of the three-legged frog, which is believed to serve as a talisman that attracts and protects wealth. And the three legs? Some stories suggest Jin Chan originally had four, but lost one in the epic struggle with Liu Hai!
8. Matagot
Some people are fortunate enough to work with a creature that simply brings in extra wealth.
In France, a steady flow of money can be earned if you’re fortunate enough to make an agreement with a Matagot. This spirit creature can take the form of a cow, fox, or rat... but it most commonly appears as a black cat. It’s said that the Matagot will give its human partner a coin every day, as long as the human upholds their part of the bargain, which usually involves offering the first bite of each meal to the spirit.
But beware, for if the human partner breaks the agreement, the punishment from the Matagot can be both terrifying and lethal. The Matagot must either be released from the pact or passed on to someone else before the human dies. If not, the partner will endure endless suffering before they can finally pass away!
7. Tommyknockers
Mining for gold, silver, and precious stones could be a profitable venture… as long as you have the right mythical creatures on your side.
Mining has always been a perilous occupation, but in some mines across the USA, it’s said that a group of fairy-like beings come to the aid of miners in distress. Naturally, these supernatural beings are also known to be mischievous pranksters, occasionally making tools and food disappear. Known as “Tommyknockers,” they are believed to knock on the mine walls to warn of potential cave-ins. They are also said to guide miners toward valuable deposits, which is a great help!
But here’s an important note: Tommyknockers only assist miners they like… and they aren’t fond of those who deny their existence. If angered, the Tommyknockers will refuse to assist or warn the miners, and they may even orchestrate a “mishap” for miners they truly dislike. So, if you're a miner and you need help finding gold, make sure to let the Tommyknockers know you believe in them!
6. Zashiki-Warashi
Another approach to easing financial troubles might be to find a home in Japan inhabited by a child-like spirit called a Zashiki-Warashi. These spirits are believed to bring wealth and prosperity to the household, as long as they are treated with kindness and respect. Of course, this comes with the catch that the inhabitants must endure the equivalent of a minor haunting.
Zashiki-Warashi are said to be visible only to the residents of the homes they inhabit, and even then, it's quite rare for them to actually be seen. When they do make an appearance, they often look like children dressed in traditional Japanese clothing. Their presence is usually announced by sounds of laughter and play, or by footprints left behind in ashes or dirt... that is, if the spirit is well-behaved. On occasion, Zashiki-Warashi can be a bit unruly, but even the troublesome ones are believed to bring fortune to the household as long as they remain.
However, caution is advised. There are numerous stories of individuals who have insulted or harmed the Zashiki-Warashi in their homes, only to have the spirit leave. When this happens, misfortune quickly replaces the luck and prosperity that once blessed the household, sometimes leading to the downfall of entire families.
5. Iliphru
When some individuals are desperate for money, they might consider taking a more unconventional route... stealing from a supernatural entity!
In the Ladakh region of India, tales are told of the Iliphru, dwarf-like beings with three arms, the third one growing from their chest. These small creatures are said to be most active at night, and it's believed that if you encounter one, you should try to grab their hat. If successful, the Iliphru will reward you with a hat full of gold in exchange for their headgear.
It’s also been said that simply discovering a hat or sock left behind by one of these creatures can be considered a good luck charm, as it often means the Iliphru who lost it will visit the finder. But does this mean you could use the lost clothing to demand money from the dwarf?
4. Leprechaun
This brings to mind another mischievous creature that people often associate with easy wealth: the leprechauns of Ireland.
These beings are believed to be fairies who can guide you to a pot of gold—if you're lucky enough to catch one. However, following a leprechaun to gold and actually getting it are two entirely different matters. One man followed a leprechaun to a bush in a field, where he was told the gold lay beneath. He marked the spot with his scarf and made the leprechaun swear not to disturb it, then rushed home to fetch a shovel. When he returned, he found every single bush in the field had a scarf identical to his tied to it!
It’s curious that no one ever questions how leprechauns came by their gold. Leprechauns are cobblers, mending shoes for other fairies, and the gold they guard is the result of their own hard work. No wonder they’re reluctant to give it away!
3. Yeongno
Just a quick heads-up—if you do strike it rich, you might want to steer clear of Korea.
In Korea, there are legends about a group of monsters called Yeongno, which are described as demons or dragons. According to these tales, the Yeongno were cast out of the Korean version of Heaven due to some unknown crimes. Now, these creatures roam the land, hunting for aristocrats and the newly wealthy to devour. It is said that if a Yeongno eats 100 rich and arrogant individuals, it will earn the right to return to Heaven… which might give you some insight into what Heaven thinks of the rich!
2. Mammon
By the way, I mentioned some of the less-than-savory ways you could gain wealth from monsters as a test. If you found yourself thinking, 'Yeah, I’d totally dig up a dead child, rob a fairy, or blackmail a dwarf for more gold,' then you might have already crossed paths with one of the most formidable creatures when it comes to wealth: the powerful demon known as Mammon.
According to ancient Christian teachings, Mammon is the demon who embodies GREED itself. His primary objective is to prevent people from engaging in righteous deeds during their lives that could benefit them spiritually after death. Mammon achieves this by ensnaring a person’s intellect and emotions with an overpowering desire for wealth, a greed so intense that it justifies even the most vile actions of those who fall under its spell.
So, just to reiterate… if any of those morally dubious methods of making money sound appealing, it might be a good idea to visit a Christian church for an exorcism, okay?
1. Toyol
While some individuals are willing to steal for money, few are prepared to face the consequences of their actions. As a result, some ingenious people turn to monsters to do the dirty work for them. One such creature is the toyol, a type of zombie from Malaysia.
Creating a toyol involves using a little dark magic to resurrect a dead infant, turning them into a sort of 'helper.' A toyol will carry out any task it’s given, whether that’s stealing or even committing murder. They are usually depicted as unhealthy, childlike beings with green skin. These creatures are moderately intelligent and independent, which means they can follow orders with a certain degree of competence, and they tend to be very loyal to their masters. However, despite their childlike appearance, toyols do not get along with actual children and will become violently hostile toward both children and their masters if a child enters the household.
If you’d rather not resort to digging up a dead child and dabbling in dark magic yourself, there’s always the option of inheriting a toyol from someone who already has one when they pass away. Of course, that’s assuming you actually know someone with a toyol!
