La Sirena chilota is an aquatic creature belonging to the
Chilote mythology. Perhaps its origin is due to binding of the myths of the
Sumpall of the
Mapuche mythology
The mythology and religion of the indigenous Mapuche people of south-central Chile and southwestern Argentina is an extensive and ancient belief system. A series of unique legends and myths are common to the various groups that make up the Mapuc ...
and the
Mermaid
In folklore, a mermaid is an aquatic creature with the head and upper body of a female human and the tail of a fish. Mermaids appear in the folklore of many cultures worldwide, including Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Mermaids are sometimes ass ...
of
European mythology Mythologies by region
Africa
*Bantu mythology
Central Africa
*Baluba mythology
* Bushongo mythology
* Kongo mythology
* Lugbara mythology
* Mbuti mythology
East Africa
* Dinka mythology
* Kalenjin mythology
*Lotuko mythology
*Maasai mythology ...
. Like to the mermaids, the siren chilota is characterized by a body half fish and half woman, with blond hair and golden scales; and her human side would look like a very beautiful teen. She would be the youngest daughter of
Millalobo
Millalobo (from the Mapuche language, mapudungun ''milla'': "gold" and the Spanish language, Spanish ''lobo:'' wolf in allusion to the South American sea lion, sea lion) is an important being in Chilote mythology. He is the most powerful being of ...
(king of sea, in Chilote mythology) and the human
Huenchula. Commissioned by her father, she has the task of caring for all fish. Also helps her siblings (the
Pincoya
The Pincoya is, according to local mythology, a female "water spirit" of the Chilotan Seas. The Pincoya is said to have long blond hair, be of incomparable beauty, be cheerful and sensual, and rise from the depths of the sea.
Legends
Naked and ...
and
Pincoy The Pincoy is a male water spirit of the seas, belonging to the Chilote mythology of Chiloé, Chile.
It looks equivalent to a merman creature, his body would be like a large sea lion, colour bright golden, with handsome and manly human face an ...
) to carry the bodies of drowned sailors, toward the
Caleuche
The Caleuche (from the Mapudungun ''kalewtun,'' "to transform, to change" and ''che'', "people": "transformed people"), also called The Enchanted Ship, Barcoiche, The Ghost Ship, or The Warlocks' Ship, is a legendary ghost ship from Chilote m ...
, for the purpose of reviving the sailors and to be happy. Sirena Chilota have very large flukes and strong tails so they can swim long distances while carrying victims of tragedies. It is also said that a Sirena chilota's tears are very delicate and, if used in a spell, is very powerful.
References
* Narciso García Barría. Tesoro mitológico del archipiélago de Chiloé: bosquejo interpretativo. Andres Bello, 1997 , 978-956-13-1516-7. (Spanish).
Chilote legendary creatures
Water spirits
Mermaids
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