Philippine mythology Philippine mythology is rooted in the many indigenous Philippine folk religions. Philippine mythology exhibits influence from Hinduism, Hindu, Islam, Muslim, Buddhism, Buddhist, and Christianity, Christian traditions. Philippine mythology ...

, a ''siyokoy'' (also ''shokoy'', ''syokoy'' or ''siokoy'') is an aquatic humanoid creature often described as having scales, webbed limbs, and fins. Most legends characterise ''siyokoy'' as hostile to humans, and are said to drown individuals. While ''siyokoy'' are often likened to the Western

mermaid In folklore, a mermaid is an aquatic creature with the head and upper body of a female human and the tail of a fish. Mermaids appear in the folklore of many cultures worldwide, including Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Mermaids are ...

due to the Philippines' colonial history, its name suggests a Chinese origin. This is highly plausible given Chinese records of indigenous polities in what is now the Philippines dates to at least 982 AD, several centuries before Europe’s

Age of Discovery The Age of Discovery (), also known as the Age of Exploration, was part of the early modern period and overlapped with the Age of Sail. It was a period from approximately the 15th to the 17th century, during which Seamanship, seafarers fro ...

Etymology

The term ''siyokoy'' came from the

Hokkien Hokkien ( , ) is a Varieties of Chinese, variety of the Southern Min group of Chinese language, Chinese languages. Native to and originating from the Minnan region in the southeastern part of Fujian in southeastern China, it is also referred ...

'' shui gui''. In Chinese folklore, ''shui gui'' are the

restless spirits ''L'Oiseau Blanc'' (; English: ''The White Bird'') was a French Levasseur PL.8 biplane that disappeared in 1927 during an attempt to make the first non-stop transatlantic flight between Paris and New York City to compete for the Orteig Prize. ...

of drowned people, who drag unsuspecting victims underwater and drown them in order to possess their bodies.

Defining characteristics

Compared to '' sirena'' and '' kataw'' that have more human features, ''siyokoys'' are animalistic in form and structure. The Syokoy is a creature from Filipino mythology that looks like a scary version of a merman. Unlike mermaids that have fish tails, the Syokoy has legs like a human, so it can move both in water and on land. Its body is usually shown as strong and green, covered in slimy scales to match its life underwater. It has a grotesque and creepy face with big, bulging eyes and sharp teeth, making it look like a predator. Its hands and feet are webbed, which helps it swim fast, and it might have gills on its neck to breathe underwater. People believe the Syokoy lives deep in the ocean or lakes, and it’s known for being dangerous and strong, and is often seen as a symbol of the hidden threats in deep water.

In popular culture

The Siyokoy has appeared in various forms of Filipino media and television. An episode of

Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho , ''Jessica Soho'' (, abbreviated as ''KMJS'') is a Philippine television news magazine show broadcast by GMA Network. Hosted by Jessica Soho, it premiered on November 7, 2004 on the network's Sunday evening line up. It is the longest runnin ...

a Philippine television news magazine show, featured a creature referred to as a Shokoy by locals in Surigao del Sur. The being was sighted in a river and was locally nicknamed Bantay Tubig ("Water Guardian"). The Siyokoy also appeared in the fantasy anthology series

Wansapanataym ''Wansapanataym'' ( Filipinization of the English phrase "'' once upon a time''"), also known as ''Wansapanataym Presents'', is a Philippine television drama fantasy anthology series broadcast by ABS-CBN. It aired from June 22, 1997 to February ...

, in an episode titled "Cocoy Shokoy" featuring actor Paolo Avelino portraying the creature.

References

External links

Filipino Folklore Syokoy
Philippine legendary creatures Visayan mythology Piscine and amphibian humanoids Merfolk Water spirits {{Philippines-stub