"Monsters must be examined within the intricate matrix of relations (social, cultural, and literary-historical) which generate them. A mixed category, the monster resists any classification built on hierarchy....The monstrous is a genus too large to be encapsulated in any conceptual system."

Jeffrey Cohen, "Monster Culture (Seven Theses)" in Monster Theory: Reading Culture, ed. Jeffrey Cohen (Minneapolis: University of Min nesota Press, 1996): 2-3.

A multi-faceted taxonomy

The limitations of a purely hierarchical taxonomy model have been recognised for many years in academic and information science circles. Consequently, there has been considerable interest in taxonomy structures that offer a more flexible view of how information can be categorised for general use: these alternative approaches are often referred to as faceted, multidimensional or relational taxonomies. The MediaWiki concept is the best tool at our disposal to meet such requirements.

Multi-faceted taxonomies enable the user to navigate through a number of facets of a taxonomy (for example, by culture, shape, element author or creator). They also allow the different facets to be cross-referenced to narrow or widen a search as the user browses the categories (for example, it will be possible to browse and select monsters by a combination of shape, culture and age on Monstropedia).
The following categories reflect the state of the art and can be rearranged if needed . Any testing or refining stages during the project need to include feedback from editors and users. This will avoid the danger of users having a different perspective on what should belong in which category and therefore not being able to find information.
Each monster should be listed in the three main dimensions : monstrotype, mythology and element association.

The main categories or monstrotype

Fabulous creatures

This category includes the primitive beasts and animal-shape monsters, from the numerous dragons and snakes of the first creation myths to the legendary hybrid and fantastic creatures.

Shape: hybrid, grotesque or fantastic 

Sources: Myths 

Fairy creatures

Fairy encompass humanoid creatures from legends and folklore mainly drawn from the scoto-celtic culture or humanoid races that may exist on our plan but hidden or extinct (subterraneans, ... ).

Shape: humanoid, hybrid, deformed

Sources: Myths, legends and tales

Angels and demons

Demons that are supposed to be summoned on Earth as well as (guardian) angels from the world mythologies and religions.

Shape: angelic or demonic

Sources: religious texts, myths and legends

Shapeshifters

Shapeshifters are creatures that can morph into several distincts shapes including wereanimals and deities.

Shape: humanoid, animal, fantastic ...

Sources: Myths, legends and tales 

Cryptids, dinosaurs and bizarre animals

Animal and humanoid species that are supposed to exist but remain elusive. Dinosaurs that may have survived until the present age.

Shape: humanoid or animal

Sources: testimonies and sightings 

Paranormal entities

Include ghosts, paranormal entities and extraterrestrial humanoid races .

Shape: etheral

Sources: sightings and testimonies of hauntings, visitations or abductions, modern researchs 

Corporeal undead

Vampires, zombies, ghouls and other creatures that are on the other side.

Shape: various

Sources: myths, legends, tales and urban legends

Artificial creatures

Man-made monsters of mechanical or alchemical origins. Related to magic, witchcraft, art and sciences.
•    Robots and mechanoids
•    Genetically-engineered monsters

Sources: Magic and fiction

Human monsters

Abnormal and abmoral human beings

•    Freaks, mutants.
•    People having ESP powers.
•    Serial killers.
•    Witches

Sources: historical documents, modern researchs