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Peuchen - The Flying Blood Serpent - Mapuche Mythology

Deep in the folklore of the Mapuche people of southern Chile and Argentina lives one of the most feared creatures in South American mythology; the Peuchen. Described as a shapeshifting, winged serpent, the Peuchen is said to glide silently through the night sky, hunting livestock and unsuspecting travelers by draining their blood.

Unlike ordinary snakes, the Peuchen is believed to possess supernatural abilities: it can fly, turn invisible, and even transform into other animals to stalk its prey undetected. Villagers traditionally protected themselves with charms, loud noises, or the help of a machi (a Mapuche shaman) believed capable of warding off or even taming the creature.

The legend of the Peuchen reflects deeper themes in Mapuche cosmology; the thin boundary between the natural and supernatural worlds, and respect for the untamed forces of nature.

Want to dive deeper into this legend, its origins, and the stories still told about it today? Check out the attached video for the full tale!

The audio and images below are the ones featured in the video.

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