Lore is defined in Merriam-Webster’s dictionary as “a traditional knowledge or belief.” Lore has united people with their communities, families, ancestors, and more for millennia. It has also created division and conflict on micro and macro levels. For The Supernatural University, though, lore is all about knowledge and exploration of the mysteries of our world…and beyond. 

One of the goals of The Supernatural University is to examine the unexplained, creepy, and otherworldly from both the past and the present in an educational and entertaining way.  

One of the numerous cryptids that students of The Supernatural University will explore is Mothman. Stories of giant, bird-like creatures with human characteristics have been around for centuries and can be traced to different areas and peoples of the world. In modern times, Mothman sightings began in 1966 near a small West Virginia town during the Johnson administration. However, just as with ancient reports, modern sightings have not been confined to one geographical area. Mothman sightings have been disclosed in multiple countries, with the farthest sightings from West Virginia being halfway around the world in Moscow, Russia, and Beijing, China.

In our day, Mothman has been described as either a large, gray creature or a large flying creature, much like a human, but with ten-foot wings. Red glowing eyes are a common, unnerving characteristic of all descriptions. Eyewitness accounts state that it is capable of horizontal and vertical flight at tremendous speeds, as well as hovering flight. 

Mothman has never been authoritatively connected with hostile acts towards humans. On the contrary, the legendary creature has been present prior to many catastrophic events. This has led many to believe that the appearance of Mothman is a warning of impending destruction. Events where Mothman was spotted prior to a significant occurrence include, but are not limited to, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, the attack on the twin towers in New York City in 2001, and the collapse of a bridge near and shortly after the West Virginia sightings in 1966.

Despite the public’s documentation of strange, large, flying creatures, no verifiable evidence has come forth of the existence of Mothman. Still, the widespread reports from so many people, many of whom still stand by their stories decades later, keep our curiosity and hopes alive that Mothman will one day be found for the world to know, and that his intentions, whether sinister or benign, will be revealed.