Pincoya is the ocean goddess of Chiloé, the “Enchanted Island,” located five hundred miles south of Santiago off Chile’s Pacific Coast, literally the end of the Earth.

Pincoya rises from the sea to dance on the beach or atop waves.

• If she faces the water while dancing, an abundant harvest of seafood is promised.

• If she faces the land, local people anticipate hunger instead.

Pincoya can be appeased and persuaded to change her prognostication by rituals conducted by local witches. Sometimes Pincoya helps the shipwrecked.

ORIGIN:

Mapuche (Chiloé Island)

MANIFESTATION:

A beautiful mermaid or woman dressed in kelp. When she’s not dancing, she’s usually sitting on ocean rocks, combing her long hair.

ATTRIBUTE:

Comb

COLOUR:

Green

SEE ALSO:

• Mermaid
• Chilean Mythology
• South American Mythology

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.

NOTE:

Edited and revised for the Web by Occult Media, the 19th of April 2021. We use British English spelling.