Wendigo

Type: Cryptid / Spirit Entity

Region: Northern USA and Canada (Great Lakes, Algonquian territories)

Description: The Wendigo is a terrifying, cannibalistic creature rooted in the folklore of several Indigenous peoples of the northern forests, particularly the Algonquian-speaking nations. Said to embody greed, gluttony, and unending hunger, the Wendigo is often described as a gaunt, towering figure with corpse-like skin, sunken or glowing eyes, and an insatiable craving for human flesh. Some versions portray it with animalistic features such as sharp claws, fangs, or deer-like antlers.

Behavior: Wendigos are said to stalk forests during harsh winters, preying on lost travelers or isolated camps. In many traditions, a human who engages in cannibalism—or even excessive selfishness—may become a Wendigo, cursed to wander endlessly, hollow with hunger. They are depicted as relentless, intelligent, and nearly impossible to kill through conventional means. Growing larger and more powerful with every ounce of flesh they consume.

Cultural Significance: The Wendigo serves as both a literal and symbolic warning in Indigenous storytelling—representing the dangers of greed, isolation, and moral corruption. It is deeply embedded in Ojibwe, Cree, and Innu oral traditions and is considered a spiritual entity as much as a physical one. In modern media, the Wendigo has been reimagined in horror films, video games, and cryptid lore, often blending myth with monster. There is a psychiatric disorder named Wendigo psychosis—a controversial and rare diagnosis in which individuals develop an intense craving for human flesh and fear turning into a Wendigo.