Mexico has a rich mythical bestiary which is well worth investigating. I don't propose to regale you with tons of information about all of its terrifying creatures here - there is plenty of detailed source material out on the internet if you're interested - but let me whet your appetite with a high-level pass through ten of the most intriguing.
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| Ahuitzotl (embroidered feather shield) |
Cadejo: another dog-like creature of Mayan folklore, possessed of supernatural powers, it manifested itself to lone wanderers by night in one of two forms: the white as guard and guide, the black as malign and deadly.
Camazotz: an enormous bat which presided over death and sacrifice, its specialty was lopping off its victims heads so the gods could use them to play ball games with.
Chupacabra: literally "goat-sucker", this bear-like humanoid with a row of spines from head to tail lived by draining the blood of livestock - and there are even reputedly contemporary sightings.
Cipactli: in Aztec mythology this primeval sea monster was part crocodile, part fish, part frog and was always hungry, every joint in its body being adorned with an extra mouth.
Coco: a shape-shifting Mexican bogeyman or woman (Coca) inhabiting the shadowlands, with a predilection for stealing and devouring children, particularly naughty ones.
Nahual: another shape-shifting supernatural being, wizard or witch, capable of either good or evil depending on their dominant personality, and central to some shamanistic rites.
Quetzalcoatl: a feathered snake and one of the four sons of the primordials, he was the Aztec god of the sun, air, winds and wisdom, bedecked with wind jewels and worshipped with animal (but not human) sacrifices.
Tlahuelpuchi: a vampiric witch with powers of lycanthropy, she was herself the victim of a curse, co-existed with her human family and sucked the blood of infants and animals at night, causing their bodies to glow.
Xiuhcoatl: another snake or serpent, regarded as the spirit form of the Aztec fire deity, a double-headed abettor of the sun god in his daily battle against darkness, the moon and the underworld.
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| Xiuhcoatl (fire serpent) |
Any of you familiar with the films of Guillermo del Toro will know that Mexico's rich tradition of fantastic imaginary monsters lives on in his work. Born in Guadalajara in 1964, GdT was making short films by the age of eight using his father's Super 8 camera. He has a lifelong fascination with monsters, which he considers to be symbols of great power, and many of his films have significant elements of fairy-tale and horror. He also trained as a special effects designer and formed his own company, Necropia, from which he has furnished the creations for some of his most famous films, including the award-winning 'Pan's Labyrinth ' and 'The Shape Of Water '. He also has a horror-series via Netflix, 'Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet Of Curiosities'. He regards the horror genre as essentially political: "Much like fairy-tales there are two facets of horror. One is pro-institution, which is the most reprehensible type of fairy-tale: Don't wander into the woods and always obey your parents. The other type of fairy-tale is completely anarchic and anti-establishment." Watch out for his animated take on 'Pinocchio ', re-imagined during the rise of Mussolini. It should be in cinemas later this month.
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| One of Guillermo del Toro's monsters |
To conclude, sixteen lines about living sacrifice, a significant part of the Aztec and Mayan civilizations of pre-Columbian Central America.
Death Drips Cruel Jewels
Bixbite tears, fire opal beads of Querétaro,
merciless as any monster's bloodshot eye,
garnet, ruby, topaz, tourmaline congealed
in scorching sands, swarmed over by flies
in shameless lust for life, each can spawn
a cactus whose lethal thorns warn careful
how you go but whose sudden flowerings
with blooms as magnificent as sombreros
seduce even as they scare. So still we toil,
death-bound on each dread step sunwards,
lungs hungry for thin air, stricken by fears
of the flashing blade, rent chests, savaged
youth. How we die - mercy - how we die!
In screaming spasms, heart's blood spurts
a scarlet rain, pumping out in mescal pain
to nourish the velvet vultures of the skies.
Thanks for reading, S ;-)
39 comments:
Wicked! 👍
Fascinating and scary.
and I thought the troll who lived under the bridge in Three Billy Goats Gruff was scary
They were a bit savage those Aztecs! Interesting menagerie there, especially the bloodsucker that makes its victims glow.
❤️
GdT is a favorite director. I had to look bixbite up. Great poem Steve.
I like the sound of that Camazotz. Role reversal! 😉
Interesting. I am fascinated that the beasts of mythologies are rooted in natural world. Instance Indian myths with elephants, monkeys etc. Good poetry.
Sounds like you had fun in that there London pal.
A fascinating bestiary. I'm surprised so many begin with 'C'. Is that a Mexican thing? And wasn't there a Disney/Pixar film called 'Coco' on the theme of Day of the Dead just a couple of years ago? Thanks for the heads-up about 'Pinocchio'. We've not been to the cinema in an age. Well done with your visceral 'Cruel Jewels' poem, suitably graphic.
Not for the faint-hearted, that one. Great skull and sombrero though.
Could we sneak a chupacabra into Downing Street?
Ix Xuihcoatl is against darkness and the underworld, that's the one for me. And two heads are always better than one. I enjoyed your cruel jewels poem.
Enjoyed your blog, Steve. I loved Pan's Labyrinth. Some great lines in your poem.
Ferocious stuff Steve.
Anyone for Coco? Viva Mr Del Toro and Mexico for their amazing monsters! I loved this read, Steve. This collection gives our familiars a run for their money!
I want ahuitzotl - like the cut if his jib! Fascinating folklore Steve.
An interesting parade of Mexican monsters. I wonder if those civilisations were really any more barbaric than our own pagan Europeans. Some wonderful lines in your poem - loved 'velvet vultures of the skies'. 👏
Del Toro is incredibly inventive. One of my favorites. Top blogging.
What a roll call of beasties. Ahuitzotl makes our own Nessie sound shy and retiring! Well done with the poem. I saw someone else described it as visceral. That's good. I think it captures the barbarism and terror well.
Badfellas la!
Interesting Mexican mythology. I should like to visit. Well done with the poem.
Fabulous those artefacts, specially the fire serpent. I loved The Shape of Water, didn't realise it was by del Toro. Thanks for a most interesting blog and poem... I loved "blooms as magnificent as sombreros". 👏
Love it, Steve. Love the assonance especially.
For me your poem captures the savagery of sacrificing young lives to the gods.
Do you know Mexicali Blues (Bob Weir song)?
Guillermo del Toro's monsters are truly terrifying. Surely something in the Mexican psyche? Your poem worked for me, great imagery - and that sombrero-wearing skull.
I love those exotic names, all those vicious c and z and h and ls. Plus O really liked your poem Steve. Touch of class.
What a powerful poem, that blood/jewels imagery, the graphic terror.
What a collection of monsters. It's a wonder any Mexican went out at night. Or day come to that.
Love the words 'Careful as you go'.
That shaggy Ahuitzotl looks like he could be a fun pet after a spell at doggy bootcamp. There is much to admire in your poem, the language and imagery are arresting. Somewhere in my shop I have a book about the feathered serpent and Mesoamerican creation myths.
Cruel times :(
A fascinating read.
Scary stuff Steve. That's a powerful and beautiful poem.
Great bestiary blog. I hadn't seen any info about del Toro's "Pinocchio", its not been to any cinemas near me but apparently its been nominated for a golden globe. How does that happen?
I wonder how much a 'goat sucker' fetches on the black market? (Real sightings?) That's a great poem.
So much savagery :(
I'd like a pair of those fluffy blue beasts on the shield picture. Imagine taking them for walkies in the local park (LOL).
What a list of monsters, "goat-sucker" eugh! It's a powerful poem. Glad I'm not Mexican.
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