---
title: Cynocephali
description: A beast with a human body and a dog's head.
author:
  name: Graciela Paula Caldeiro
  url: http://graciela-caldeiro.idoneos.com
canonical: https://mitosyleyendas.idoneos.com/en/bestiario_mitologico/cinocefalos/
source: en/bestiario_mitologico/cinocefalos/index.md
---

<h2 id="cinocefalos">Cynocephali</h2>

Men (and also apes) with dog heads, common to different cultures.

In [Egyptian mythology](https://mitologiaegipcia.idoneos.com/), **Aani** was the name given to these creatures, which were consecrated to Thoth. In some images, the deity itself was represented as a cynocephalus.

In the early days of Christianity, Saint Christopher is depicted with a canine head, as can be seen in ancient Eastern representations. It is said that the Saint, on account of his physical characteristics, received advances from women of all ages, and that God, in order to free him from this female besiegement, changed his face into that of a dog.

Already in medieval times, a mythical island known by the name of Macumera was said to be inhabited by people with dog heads. Marco Polo placed this people in an archipelago of the Andaman Islands, in the Bay of Bengal.