The Santelmo (St. Elmo's Fire) is a spirit that appears as a dancing flame to Filipino especially those living in the Sierra Madre Mountains.
Etymology
Santelmo is the shortened version of Apoy ni San Elmo (St. Elmo’s Fire). In ancient Greeks, the name of St. Elmo is credited to an Italian derivation of Sant 'Ermo or St. Erasmus (circa 300 A.D.), the patron saint of the early Mediterranean sailors who faced the powers of storm and sea in small sailing vessels.
Physical Appearance
The Santelmo can appear like a ghostly dancing flame or natural fireworks. Usually, the flames are in blue or bluish-white color that are attached to a grounded conductor and can last for several minutes. The flame is heatless and non-consuming with a hissing sound.
Theories
It was scientifically explained as electric fields which have diverged from the lines. However, the sightings were reported since the Spanish era (16th-19th centuries) when there was no generators or cables . Santelmo have also been reported in the Alps and Himalayas.
See also