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{{Short description|Legendary creature of southern Chile}}
{{Expand Spanish|Piuchén|topic=culture|date=December 2009}}
{{Expand Spanish|Piuchén|topic=culture|date=December 2009}}
The '''''Peuchen''''' (also known as ''Piuchen, Pihuchen, Pihuychen, Pihuichen, Piguchen,'' or ''Piwuchen'') is a creature from the [[Mapuche mythology]] and [[Chilote mythology]] pertaining to southern [[Chile]], a much feared [[shapeshifting]] creature which could instantly change into animal form.
The '''''Piuchén''''' (also known as ''Peuchen, Pihuchen, Pihuychen, Pihuichen, Piguchen,'' or ''Piwuchen'') is a creature from the [[Mapuche mythology]] and [[Chilote mythology]] pertaining to southern [[Chile]], a much feared [[shapeshifting]] creature that can instantly change into animal form. According to legend, the Piuchén takes the hearts of its victims without leaving a mark on the body.<ref>Pérez, Floridor (2016). "Mitos y leyendas de Chile". Santiago de Chile: Empresa Editora Zig-Zag, S.A.</ref>


It has often been described as gigantic flying snake which produced strange whistling sounds, while its gaze could paralyse an intended victim and permit it to suck its [[blood]]. It has often been reported as the cause of sucking blood from sheep.
It has often been described as a gigantic flying snake which produced strange whistling sounds, while its gaze could paralyze an intended victim and permit it to suck its [[blood]]. It has often been reported as the cause of blood being sucked from one's sheep. The creature can be eliminated by a ''[[Machi (Shaman)|machi]]'' (Mapuche herbal healer).<ref>Martinez Vilches, Oscar (1992). "Chiloe Misterioso: Turismo, Mitologia Chilota, leyendas". Santiago de Chile: Ediciones de la Voz de Chiloe. 179 pages.</ref>


The name "Piuchén" is also used as the vernacular for the common vampire bat species [[Desmodus rotundus]], which can be the origin of the legend.<ref>Bárquez, R.; Pérez, S.; Miller, M. & Díaz, M. (2015) Desmodus rotundus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T6510A21979045. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T6510A21979045.en.</ref>
The creature can be eliminated by a ''[[Machi (Shaman)|machi]]'' (Mapuche Medicine Woman).

==Cryptozoology==
In Chile, this word "Peuchen" also designates to the [[Common Vampire Bat]] (''[[Desmodus rotundus]]''); so some [[cryptozoologist]]s believe that "Common Vampire Bat" is the origin of the legend, however other cryptozoologists believe that the "Peuchen" could be related to the [[Chupacabra]] or be the same [[cryptid]].<ref name=peuchen1>[http://www.diarioelcentro.cl/articulos_sc.php?fecha=26-07-2004&semana=29-2004 Article: Tras los pasos del chupacabras. El centro, Journal. 26-07-2004 {{es icon}}]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Colo Colo (mythology)|Colo Colo]]
* [[Colo Colo (mythology)|Colo Colo]]
* [[Basilisco chilote]]
* [[Basilisco Chilote]]
* [[Chonchon]]
* [[Chupacabra]]
* [[Chupacabra]]
* [[Chonchon]]
* [[Sigbin]]
* [[Wak Wak]]
* [[Tanuki]]

==Notes==
{{reflist}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
*{{cite book |author=Martinez Vilches, Oscar|title=Chiloe Misterioso: Turismo, Mitologia Chilota, leyendas|year=1992|publisher=Ediciones de la Voz de Chiloe |location=Chile|isbn=0-19-451308-4|page=179|language=es}}


{{Cryptozoology}}


[[Category:Chilote legendary creatures]]
[[Category:Chilote legendary creatures]]
[[Category:Indigenous South American legendary creatures]]
[[Category:Mapuche legendary creatures]]
[[Category:Mapuche legendary creatures]]
[[Category:Mythological hematophages]]
[[Category:Mythological hematophages]]
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[[Category:Legendary serpents]]
[[Category:Legendary serpents]]
[[Category:Dragons]]
[[Category:Dragons]]
[[Category:Flying cryptids]]
[[Category:Carnivorous cryptids]]



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{{SouthAm-myth-stub}}
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Latest revision as of 03:34, 12 February 2024

The Piuchén (also known as Peuchen, Pihuchen, Pihuychen, Pihuichen, Piguchen, or Piwuchen) is a creature from the Mapuche mythology and Chilote mythology pertaining to southern Chile, a much feared shapeshifting creature that can instantly change into animal form. According to legend, the Piuchén takes the hearts of its victims without leaving a mark on the body.[1]

It has often been described as a gigantic flying snake which produced strange whistling sounds, while its gaze could paralyze an intended victim and permit it to suck its blood. It has often been reported as the cause of blood being sucked from one's sheep. The creature can be eliminated by a machi (Mapuche herbal healer).[2]

The name "Piuchén" is also used as the vernacular for the common vampire bat species Desmodus rotundus, which can be the origin of the legend.[3]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Pérez, Floridor (2016). "Mitos y leyendas de Chile". Santiago de Chile: Empresa Editora Zig-Zag, S.A.
  2. ^ Martinez Vilches, Oscar (1992). "Chiloe Misterioso: Turismo, Mitologia Chilota, leyendas". Santiago de Chile: Ediciones de la Voz de Chiloe. 179 pages.
  3. ^ Bárquez, R.; Pérez, S.; Miller, M. & Díaz, M. (2015) Desmodus rotundus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T6510A21979045. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T6510A21979045.en.