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Ahuizotl

That's right kids, it's ed-ju-mah-cation time again!

Today we will be looking at Aztec Mythology before moving on to Hawaiian folklore if we have time.

The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahuizotl_(mythology)">Ahuizotl</a> was a water spirit in Aztec Mythology that served as a guardian of lakes which protected the fish that lived in them. They also served the supreme rain god, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tl%C4%81loc">Tlālocl</a>, and the goddess of water, storms, baptism, fertility and childbirth, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalchiuhtlicue">Chālchihuitl</a>.

These deities would task the Ahuizotl with catching the souls of mortals who they had grown fond of and bring them to join them in their own paradise realm.

It has two main ways in which it lures it's victims to the waters edge, where it waits in ambush.

The first way is to cause all the fish and frogs in the lake to float to the surface, tempting the victim with an easy and bountiful catch.

The second, far more terrifying tactic, is that it will mimic the sound of a crying baby to trick people into rushing over to rescue what they assume to be a child in danger.

Once the person is close enough, it grabs the said victim with the hand on the end of its tail and drowns them. After allowing the body to rot for three days, it eats the eyes, teeth, and nails of the deceased.

That's right kids, it's ed-ju-mah-cation time again!

Today we will be looking at Aztec Mythology before moving on to Hawaiian folklore if we have time.

The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahuizotl_(mythology)">Ahuizotl</a> was a water spirit in Aztec Mythology that served as a guardian of lakes which protected the fish that lived in them. They also served the supreme rain god, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tl%C4%81loc">Tlālocl</a>, and the goddess of water, storms, baptism, fertility and childbirth, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalchiuhtlicue">Chālchihuitl</a>.

These deities would task the Ahuizotl with catching the souls of mortals who they had grown fond of and bring them to join them in their own paradise realm.

It has two main ways in which it lures it's victims to the waters edge, where it waits in ambush.

The first way is to cause all the fish and frogs in the lake to float to the surface, tempting the victim with an easy and bountiful catch.

The second, far more terrifying tactic, is that it will mimic the sound of a crying baby to trick people into rushing over to rescue what they assume to be a child in danger.

Once the person is close enough, it grabs the said victim with the hand on the end of its tail and drowns them. After allowing the body to rot for three days, it eats the eyes, teeth, and nails of the deceased.

aztec mythology ancient folklore monster water demon deviant art vantid monkey-dog

Zdzisław Beksiński: No Official Title: Great Spirit

Heads up, the source is written in Polish.

Heads up, the source is written in Polish.

zdzisław beksiński untitled spirit god cloak surrealist crucifix

Zdzisław Beksiński: No Official Title: The Gate

zdzisław beksiński untitled the gate portal skull surrealist desert door

Zdzisław Beksiński: No Official Title: Comforting Embrace

zdzisław beksiński untitled hug cuddling embrace comforting corpses skeleton surrealist

Zdzisław Beksiński: No Official Title: The Red Weed

zdzisław beksiński untitled creepers vine red weed surrealist skull dreamscape

Rebecca Hawkins: Mother and Child

This statue is a memorial dedicated to all the victims of South Korean war crimes committed during the Vietnam War.

The BBC did a great article on the this and the background of this statue, which <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/lhrjrs9z9a/vietnam-1968">can be read here</a>. However, please be warned that it includes interviews with women who were repeatedly sexually assaulted and then ostracised by their communities as a consequence of this.

It's heart breaking stuff, but the ones who need to talk about it don't.

Due to the Koreans historically always being the victims of conflicts and never the aggressor, a large proportion of the Korean population believe that they are incapable of committing atrocities against other people and that all the evidence proving this is just lies and propaganda.

Because of this, they have never apologised to Vietnam for the crimes they have committed during their time there.

Ironically, this fact has been used by the Japanese as an excuse to not apologised for the crimes they committed against Korea in WW2, so this refusal to acknowledge their own pass wrongs has only perpetuated the historical animosity felt by many countries in the region.

This statue is a memorial dedicated to all the victims of South Korean war crimes committed during the Vietnam War.

The BBC did a great article on the this and the background of this statue, which <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/lhrjrs9z9a/vietnam-1968">can be read here</a>. However, please be warned that it includes interviews with women who were repeatedly sexually assaulted and then ostracised by their communities as a consequence of this.

It's heart breaking stuff, but the ones who need to talk about it don't.

Due to the Koreans historically always being the victims of conflicts and never the aggressor, a large proportion of the Korean population believe that they are incapable of committing atrocities against other people and that all the evidence proving this is just lies and propaganda.

Because of this, they have never apologised to Vietnam for the crimes they have committed during their time there.

Ironically, this fact has been used by the Japanese as an excuse to not apologised for the crimes they committed against Korea in WW2, so this refusal to acknowledge their own pass wrongs has only perpetuated the historical animosity felt by many countries in the region.

vietnam war south korea war crimes memorial statue rebecca hawkins mother and child strangler fig strangler vines art piece lai dai han

Mòra

The Mòra, also known as a <a href="https://legendfest.hr/en/festivals/folklore/">Mara</a>, is a form of sleep demon known generally as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mare_(folklore)">Mares</a> which can be found throughout Western European, Scandinavian and Slavic folklore.

As you would expect, the Mòra is an evil spirit that dons the guise of a beautiful women whilst it sits on a person's chest (usually a handsome young man) crushing them, strangling them and......sucking their n------?

....Ok then.

Mòras enter a house by turning into a fly and fitting themselves through the small cracks in the window, key holes and under holes in doors. In this state, a Mòra is highly vulnerable; as they can be easily squished or captured.

It is believed that when a Mòra is encountered in the form of a fly, one should muster strength to capture her in the hand and shout: “You w----, you shall come to me to borrow something”. This was the story of a peasant in Kanfanar. After that night, a young woman came to his door and asked to borrow a kilo of salt. The peasant then knew this was the mora from last night, who came to borrow something, so he promptly beat her to death.

Right, anyone need a break before we continue? Good.

In order to repel a Mòra, one had to look at the window or turn their pillow over whilst making the sign of the cross. To prevent the Mòra from attacking in the first place, a person could leave a broom upside down behind their doors, put their belt on top of their sheets, or say an elaborate prayer poem before they go to sleep.

Oh dear, our first dive into Croatian Folklore and we have already reached 11 on the weirdometer But let's keep going and see what happens.

south slavic mythology croatian folklore sleep demon evil spirit shapeshifter maya corle nightmare

The Kelpie

This is a comic illustrating one of the more common folk tales associated with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelpie">Kelpie</a>, or Water Horse

Although this is very long, there is no dialogue, so it shouldn't take you too long to read through.

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I S C R E A M F O R I C E C R E A M

teeth chipped tooth nailcllippers ice cream ow

Otto Dix: Nächtliche Begegnung mit einem Irrsinnigen (Nocturnal encounter with a madman)

<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Dix">Otto Dix</a> was a German painter and printmaker from the early 20th century who was best known for the artwork he created based on his experiences of fighting on the Western Front during World War One.

<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Dix">Otto Dix</a> was a German painter and printmaker from the early 20th century who was best known for the artwork he created based on his experiences of fighting on the Western Front during World War One.

otto dix lunatic madman world war one ww1 first world war ruins trenches imperial germany soldier der krieg

Otto Dix: Überfall einer Schleichpatrouille auf einen Grabenposten (Attack by a sneak patrol on a tr...

I think this is one of those cases where less is more.

It's not like most depictions of hand to hand combat where both combatants are striking a fighting pose. It doesn't over or underplay the damage done. The faces aren't stoic or heroic.

It is simply a man being stabbed, and it's all the more haunting for it.

<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Dix">Otto Dix</a> was a German painter and printmaker from the early 20th century who was best known for the artwork he created based on his experiences of fighting on the Western Front during World War One.

I think this is one of those cases where less is more.

It's not like most depictions of hand to hand combat where both combatants are striking a fighting pose. It doesn't over or underplay the damage done. The faces aren't stoic or heroic.

It is simply a man being stabbed, and it's all the more haunting for it.

<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Dix">Otto Dix</a> was a German painter and printmaker from the early 20th century who was best known for the artwork he created based on his experiences of fighting on the Western Front during World War One.

stealth sentry trench warfare otto dix world war one ww1 first world war german imperial germany soldier death combat

Otto Dix: Gas Tote (Gas Dead)

It doesn't say what gas killed these poor bastards in the notes; but going by the fact that they're covered in blisters, I think it's safe to say that it was mustard gas.

<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Dix">Otto Dix</a> was a German painter and printmaker from the early 20th century who was best known for the artwork he created based on his experiences of fighting on the Western Front during World War One.

poison gas mustard gas imperial germany death world war one ww1 first world war chemical warfare soldier otto dix

Otto Dix: Zerfallender Kampfgraben (Collapsed Trenches)

<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Dix">Otto Dix</a> was a German painter and printmaker from the early 20th century who was best known for the artwork he created based on his experiences of fighting on the Western Front during World War One.

<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Dix">Otto Dix</a> was a German painter and printmaker from the early 20th century who was best known for the artwork he created based on his experiences of fighting on the Western Front during World War One.

first world war world war one ww1 trench warfare death german imperial germany soldier otto dix der krieg

Otto Dix: Verwundeter (Wounded Man)

The longer you look at this image, the more haunting it gets.

I think it's the eyes, those eyes full of fear, pain and confusion just burning straight through you.

<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Dix">Otto Dix</a> was a German painter and printmaker from the early 20th century who was best known for the artwork he created based on his experiences of fighting on the Western Front during World War One.

The longer you look at this image, the more haunting it gets.

I think it's the eyes, those eyes full of fear, pain and confusion just burning straight through you.

<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Dix">Otto Dix</a> was a German painter and printmaker from the early 20th century who was best known for the artwork he created based on his experiences of fighting on the Western Front during World War One.

war first world war world war one ww1 imperial germany wounded injury trench warfare screaming fear otto dix

Du Riechst So Gut

You know, technically speaking, he's a furry.
...
...
...
I'm expecting the Fan Art to be on my desk by 3pm Tuesday.

Source is exactly what it says on the tin:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rrmsJhf89MY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

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Zdzisław Beksiński: No Official Title: Mausoleum of the Giants

<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zdzis%C5%82aw_Beksi%C5%84ski">Zdzisław Beksiński</a> was a famous Polish artist who specialised in creating dark fantasy paintings, sculptures and staged photographs.

Beksiński was a prolific artist who left a lot of his work untitled, meaning that sometimes his pieces get confused for others and vice versa.

Although his art was often of a highly disturbing nature, Beksiński himself said that there was no deeper meaning in his art and that it was simply what he liked creating.

<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zdzis%C5%82aw_Beksi%C5%84ski">Zdzisław Beksiński</a> was a famous Polish artist who specialised in creating dark fantasy paintings, sculptures and staged photographs.

Beksiński was a prolific artist who left a lot of his work untitled, meaning that sometimes his pieces get confused for others and vice versa.

Although his art was often of a highly disturbing nature, Beksiński himself said that there was no deeper meaning in his art and that it was simply what he liked creating.

zdzisław beksiński untitled dark fantasy skeletons explorer crypt oil painting