The Pincoya is a goddess and a siren of the Chiloé Island, Chile.
Description
The Pincoya is said to be the most beautiful woman from the waist up, with long blond hair and blue eyes. Moreover, she is said to be cheerful and sensual.
Powers
Naked and pure, she personifies the fertility of marine species. Through her ritual dance she provides the chilote (resident of Chiloé) with an abundance or deficiency of fish and seafood. If she performs her dance facing the sea, it means that these shores will have an abundance of fish. When she dances facing the mountains, her back to the sea, seafood will be scarce.
Legend
The Pincoya is the daughter of Millalobo (king of sea, in chilote mythology) and the human Huenchula. The sister is the Sirena chilota (a type of Mermaid) and their brother is the Pincoy (who also is her husband). The three brothers lead and guide to the drowned sailors unto a large phantom ship, the Caleuche, sailing the seas at night around the southern island of Chiloé in southern Chile. The ship appears briefly intact with sounds of a party on board, but quickly vanishes. Myth has it that, once on board, the dead can resume an existence as if they were alive again.
References
- Martinez Vilches, Oscar, Chiloe Misterioso (in Spanish). Pub. Ediciones de la Voz de Chiloe (circa 1998)