The statue of mothman has become a unique landmark, drawing visitors with its eerie charm and mysterious legend that continues to fascinate people worldwide. In this post, we will introduce the mothman statue in detail.

What is the Mothman myth?

1. Origin of the Legend: First Sighting in 1966
The story of the Mothman originated in Point Pleasant, West Virginia in 1966. Two couples were driving through the old TNT district at night when they saw a tall, winged, glowing red-eyed mysterious creature, thus beginning the Mothman legend.

1.1 mothman myth

2. Frequent Appearances within a Year
From 1966 to 1967, locals repeatedly reported sightings of the Mothman. It was described as a strange being capable of high-speed flight and appearing near abandoned buildings and forests.

Mothman_Artist's_Impression

3. Linked to the Silver Bridge Collapse
Before the Silver Bridge collapsed in 1967, some claimed to have seen the Mothman on the bridge. Although the accident was confirmed to be due to structural failure, the public still believed the Mothman to be a “harbinger of disaster,” adding to the mystique of the legend.

1.3 mothman myth

4. Global Promotion through Books and Films
Author John Keel published The Mothman Prophecies in 1975, documenting these events and adding mystical elements. 1. After the release of the film of the same name in 2002, Mothman’s fame spread rapidly worldwide.

the-mothman-of-Point-Pleasant

Which state has the statue of mothman?

The statue is located in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, the place where Mothman was first sighted and the central backdrop of the legend.

2 mothman statue in Point Pleasant (2)
2 mothman statue in Point Pleasant

What does the Mothman statue look like?

The statue of mothman, approximately 12 feet (3.6 meters) tall, is crafted from thick stainless steel sheets, its surface meticulously polished and refined. When sunlight shines on it, the statue reflects a strong silver light, making it strikingly visible in the center of the street.

3.1 Mothman figure with large metal wings

The statue’s head has a sharp and slightly mysterious design. The forehead to the bridge of the nose features layered metal lines, creating a rugged texture reminiscent of a crustacean. Its open mouth reveals metal fangs.

3.2 stainless steel mothman statue
3.2 mothman statue head details
3.2 mothman statue with open mouth

The eyes feature protruding red lenses that, when light shines on them, create a “glowing” effect, recreating the “red-eyed monster” described by witnesses.

3.3 mothman statue head details side
3.3 mothman statue head details
3.3 mothman-statue-point-pleasant-wv-anna-hider-12
3.3 mothman statue at night

Most striking are its enormous metal wings. The edges of the wings appear broken and torn, with internal patterns formed by metal welding, like enlarged insect wing veins frozen in mid-air.

3.4 mothman-statue-point-pleasant-wv
3.1 Shiny Mothman statue in Point Pleasant

The statue’s torso features exaggerated human muscle structures; the chest, abdominal, and arm muscles are sculpted with strong lines using a hammered metal technique, making it appear as a tangible embodiment of supernatural power. The proportions from the waist down are taut and powerful, with slightly bent legs conveying a dynamic tension, as if poised for takeoff or a strike.

3.5 A dog beside the mothman statue
3.5 muscular mothman statue
3.5 foot details of mothman statue

What is the story behind the statue of mothman?

The Mothman statue was erected because the city of Point Pleasant wanted to preserve this unique local tradition in a more tangible way. While the legend of the Mothman is widely known, the statue itself is not intended to frighten or recreate a monster, but rather to commemorate a series of events that occurred in the area during the 1960s—from frequent mysterious sightings to the tragedy of the Silver Bridge’s collapse, and the subsequent economic decline and population loss faced by the town.

4 plaque under the mothman statue

The statue’s significance is closer to that of a “cultural symbol”—it represents how the locals transformed the shadows of the past into attraction, making the legend a vital resource for the town’s rebirth. Today, the Mothman Festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, and the statue is a central symbol of the festival and the town’s story.

4 Couple taking selfie with Mothman statue
Couple taking selfie with Mothman statue

Who made the mothman statue?

The Mothman sculpture was created by Bob Roach, a metal artist from the Ohio River Valley. A former welder, Roach is highly skilled in metalworking, particularly in cutting, welding, and sculpting steel plates. While not formally trained, Roach transitioned to metal art through years of experience and self-study.

5-Jerry and sculptor Robert Roach

Mothman is his most representative public sculpture; he hand-cut, welded, and polished all the components in his studio, resulting in a work with a striking metallic texture and powerful visual impact.

5-Robert greeting his fans

When was the Mothman statue put up?

The mothman sculpture was officially unveiled in 2003 and attracted a large number of visitors during the Mothman Festival that year.

6-Mothman Festival in Point Pleasant WV Sep 17, 2005
Mothman Festival in Point Pleasant WV Sep 17, 2005
6 Mothman Festival

Why do people leave beans at the Mothman statue?

The practice of leaving beans in front of the statue of mothman doesn’t stem from any original legend, but rather from internet culture. A few years ago, a joke began circulating on Reddit and TikTok: people fabricated humorous claims such as “Mothman loves to eat beans” and “Offering him beans can prevent strange occurrences.”

7 mothman beans

This meme spread rapidly and gradually became a staple of humor among Mothman fans. Later, when tourists visited Point Pleasant, they would also place roasted beans, bean stickers, and various bean-related trinkets at the base of the statue to participate in this internet meme.

7 Point Pleasant's Mothman Festival

Why is the Mothman statue so caked up?

The Mothman statue is called “caked up” because of its particularly rounded and prominent metal buttocks, which, combined with the highly reflective stainless steel material, make this part exceptionally eye-catching under light. Tourists taking photos and netizens creating memes quickly made this visual feature a viral sensation on social media, becoming the most unexpected and humorous element of the Mothman legend.

3.5 mothman statue booty
8 Man joking near Mothman statue cheeks
8 touch the booty of the mothman statue

Mothman Statue Customization Service

If you are deeply interested in the legend of Mothman, or have a particular fondness for this classic statue of mothman, Arturban Sculpture can replicate the statue for you, or even create a completely new Mothman statue to your specifications.

Arturban Sculpture is a professional sculpture manufacturer from China, specializing in bronze statues, fiberglass/resin statues, stainless steel sculptures, and marble statues, with over 20 years of experience in sculpture production. We can create Mothman works tailored to your specific needs at highly competitive prices and with exceptional artistic quality.

In the process of creating a statue of mothman, we follow a rigorous and professional process:

  1. Creating a scaled model (1:1 or as required): We use a physical model or 3D model to confirm the proportions and ensure that every detail matches the design.
  2. Selecting high-quality stainless steel: We typically use 304 or 316 stainless steel, which features high strength, corrosion resistance, and weather resistance, making it ideal for outdoor displays.
  3. Metal Sheet Hammering and Shaping: The sculptor hammers and shapes each piece of metal according to the model, including Mothman’s wings, muscle lines, and iconic body structure.
  4. Welding, Grinding, and Fine Polishing: Professional techniques ensure every curve and line flows naturally. Surface treatments can be customized, including mirror polishing, brushed finish, or electroplating.
  5. Installation and Final Surface Protection: After completion, structural reinforcement is implemented, a pre-embedded base is designed, and an outdoor protective coating is applied to ensure the statue’s long-term stable display.

Whether you prefer the futuristic feel of stainless steel, the classic artistry of bronze, or the lightweight customization of fiberglass, we can create a unique Mothman Statue for you.

If you are interested in a custom Mothman statue, please feel free to contact us.


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