European folklore provides the largest single source of creature inspiration for Supernatural. This is not surprising — the show is set in America and draws primarily from the cultural traditions that European settlers brought with them, combined with traditions that developed in the New World.
Major European Traditions in the Show
The Germanic and Scandinavian tradition contributes shapeshifters, the concept of the doppelgänger, revenant lore, and various trickster and nature spirits. Norse mythology specifically informs the show's treatment of certain pagan gods, particularly through the Vanir and through Gabriel's disguise as Loki.
The Slavic and Eastern European tradition is the primary source for vampire mythology, as well as various witch and revenant concepts. The strigoi of Romanian folklore, the upior of Polish tradition, and the vrykolakas of Greek tradition all feed into the show's vampire lore.
British and Irish folklore provides ghosts, fairies, changelings, boggarts, banshees, and the rawhead. The British ghost story tradition — from medieval revenants to Victorian spiritualism — is arguably the single largest influence on Supernatural's bread-and-butter ghost-hunting episodes.
French folklore and its Cajun derivatives in Louisiana contribute the rugaru (from loup-garou). The rich folklore of the Appalachian region, which blends Scots-Irish, English, German, and African American traditions, also informs many episodes.
Christianity & Folk Magic
European Christian tradition provides the foundation for the show's demon and angel mythology, exorcism rituals, and the cosmological framework of Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory. Folk Christianity — the blend of official church doctrine with pre-Christian folk beliefs — gives the show many of its protective measures: holy water, consecrated ground, crosses, and the various blessings and wards used by hunters.
Creatures from this Tradition
- Shapeshifter - Creatures that can perfectly replicate any human's physical appearance by shedding and regrowing skin.
- Vampire - Undead predators with retractable fangs who feed on human blood and organize in nests.
- Hellhound - Invisible demonic canines that collect the souls of humans whose crossroads deals have come due.
- Werewolf - Humans infected with a condition that causes transformation during the full moon, driven to consume human hearts.