Siyokoy (Philippine mythology)
| Similar entities | Kataw, Merman |
|---|---|
| Region | Philippines |
In 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.[1][2]
While siyokoy are often likened to the Western mermaid due to the Philippines' colonial history, its name suggests a Chinese origen. This is highly plausible given Chinese records of indigenous polities in what is now the Philippines dates to at least 982 AD,[2][3][4] several centuries before Europe’s Age of Discovery.
Etymology
[edit]The term siyokoy came from the Hokkien shui gui.[5] In Chinese folklore, shui gui are the restless spirits of drowned people, who drag unsuspecting victims underwater and drown them in order to possess their bodies.
Defining characteristics
[edit]Compared to sirena and kataw that have more human features, siyokoys are animalistic in form and structure.[6]
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.[7] 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.[2][6][7]
In popular culture
[edit]The Siyokoy has appeared in various forms of Filipino media and television. An episode of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho 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").[8][9]
The Siyokoy also appeared in the fantasy anthology series Wansapanataym, in an episode titled "Cocoy Shokoy" featuring actor Paolo Avelino portraying the creature.[10][11][12]
References
[edit]- ^ Manuel, E. Arsenio (1958). "Tayabas Tagalog Awit Fragments from Quezon Province". Folklore Studies. 17: 55. doi:10.2307/1177378. ISSN 0388-0370.
- ^ a b c Go, Bon Juan (2005). "Ma'l in Chinese Records – Mindoro or Bai? An Examination of a Historical Puzzle". Philippine Studies. 53 (1). Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University: 119–138. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
- ^ Patanne, E. P. (1996). The Philippines in the 6th to 16th Centuries. San Juan: LSA Press. ISBN 971-91666-0-6.
- ^ Scott, William Henry. (1984). "Societies in Prehispanic Philippines". Prehispanic Source Materials for the Study of Philippine History. Quezon City: New Day Publishers. p. 70. ISBN 971-10-0226-4.
- ^ Manuel, E. Arsenio (1948). Chinese elements in the Tagalog language. Manila: Filipiniana Publications. p. 55.
- ^ a b Mga Engkanto: A Bestiary of Filipino Fairies. Philippines: eLf ideas Publication. 2003.
- ^ a b Samar, Edgar Calabia; Garcia, Kata; Ang, Leo Kempis (2015). 101 kagila-gilalas na nilaláng. Adarna House, Inc (Unang edisyon ed.). Quezon City: Adarna House. ISBN 978-971-508-552-6.
- ^ "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho: Shokoy sa Surigao?". YouTube. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ "ALAMIN: Crystal clear river sa Surigao del Sur, pinamamahayan nga ba ng siyokoy?". Balitambayan. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
- ^ "Pilot episode of GMA's Dyesebel airs on April 28". PEP.ph. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ Freitas, Paulo; Jr., Valdemar (2011). "Decodificação iterativa com baixa complexidade sobre o canal binário com apagamento". Anais de XXIX Simpósio Brasileiro de Telecomunicações. Sociedade Brasileira de Telecomunicações. doi:10.14209/sbrt.2011.163.
- ^ Romadhan, Fitri Nur; Sinduwiatmo, Kukuh (2023-07-12). "Islamic Lifestyle On Hijab Alila Youtube Shows (Episode Bts the series)". doi.org. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
External links
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