★ Overview
MOTHMAN
The Mothman is a monster native to Western Virginia who has been described as both a terrifying flying monster and a somewhat more supernatural harbinger of horrible future events.
The legend of the Mothman has inspired books, movies, and TV shows, and continues to captivate people’s imaginations to this day.
A Mothman Festival is held every year in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, a small town that is in close proximity to where many of the first sightings of the strange being occurred. The festival takes place on the third weekend of September each year. It was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but was scheduled to resume in 2021.
Activities and events at the festival include vendors, costumes, concerts and museum and bus tours. For more information on the festival visit www.mothmanfestival.com.
Origin & History
While it is typical to think of folklore as being impossibly ancient, many of the tales of monsters and mythical creatures in the United States are surprisingly modern. In fact, the story of this creature actually only dates back to the mid-1960s, with the bulk of the stories surrounding it showing up around 1966.
Most of the stories about this creature only describe the creature as flying around overhead. The original reports in 1966 only speak of the creature flying around above the forest. Later stories would make the creature a bit more sinister, going so far as to blame the disappearance of a German Shepherd on it.
Later stories attribute a kind of prophetic effect on Mothman sightings. A sighting is connected to a 1967 bridge collapse, and the stories would continue from there. In fact, it would apparently cross the world to become an omen of a 1999 Russian apartment fire. Whether or not it actually has any role to play in unfortunate circumstances, more reports of the creature would continue well into the 21st century.
Powers & Abilities
- Psychic Resonance: Those who encounter the Mothman often report "Men in Black" style phenomena, including vivid nightmares, prophetic visions, and a persistent feeling of being watched (the "Oz Effect").
- Supersonic Flight: He has been reported keeping pace with cars traveling over 100 mph without appearing to exert any effort.
- Hypnotic Gaze: His red eyes can paralyze a witness with fear, making them unable to run or scream during the encounter.
- Premonition: He seems to possess a non-linear understanding of time, appearing in locations shortly before major disasters occu
Appearance
- The Silhouette: A massive, man-shaped figure standing roughly 7 feet tall. He is often described as having no visible head, with his features set directly into his chest/shoulders.
- The Wings: He possesses giant, moth-like wings that fold against his back but can span over 10 feet. Witnesses claim he can fly at incredible speeds without ever flapping them.
- The Eyes: His most famous feature. He has two large, glowing red eyes that are said to be hypnotic, causing intense feelings of fear or psychological distress in anyone who looks at them.
- The Color: His body is covered in dark grey or charcoal-black skin or fur, allowing him to blend perfectly into the night.
- The Gait: On the ground, he moves with a clumsy, shuffling hop, but in the air, he is described as having "unnatural" agility.