Each-Uisge
Also called Each Uisge, EachUisge.
From Scottish folklore, Each Uisge is a water horse. Unlike the kelpie, it can live in saltwater and its skin is adhesive; anyone who touches it is likely to be dragged underwater.
At a glance
- Tradition
- Scottish folklore
- Region
- Scotland (place of origin)
- Trait family
- The Still-Water Lurkers
- Symbols
- Horse
Near this figure
Symbols
Judged against the description by a model. Meanings are our own paraphrase.
- Horse is image-domain The horse denotes harnessed striving power, mount of gods, sun and sea alike, carrying the dead as psychopomp and the living into their conquests.
why
From Scottish folklore, Each Uisge is a water horse.
Traits
Read from the figure's description, which a model wrote. Open "why" for the sentence a trait came from.
Form
- Shapeshifts human animal
why
The Each Uisge is not limited to its horse form. It can also take on human appearance, often that of a handsome man, to better deceive its prey.
Behaviour
- Adhesive skin traps victims
why
Its most distinguishing feature is its adhesive skin, which ensnares any unsuspecting victim who touches it, making escape nearly impossible.
- Shapeshifts into horse to lure riders
why
It is said to be irresistibly beautiful, luring humans – especially children – to approach and mount it.
- Drowns riders
why
The creature then swiftly makes for the deepest part of the water, drowning its victim before devouring them entirely, leaving only the liver to wash ashore as grim evidence of its feast.
Offensive powers
- Devouring
why
The creature then swiftly makes for the deepest part of the water, drowning its victim before devouring them entirely, leaving only the liver to wash ashore as grim evidence of its feast.
Defensive powers
- Invulnerability
why
Its most distinguishing feature is its adhesive skin, which ensnares any unsuspecting victim who touches it, making escape nearly impossible.
Utility powers
- Shapeshifting
why
The Each Uisge is not limited to its horse form. It can also take on human appearance, often that of a handsome man, to better deceive its prey.
Roles
Judged from the works' own entries, not from the description. Carries: the figure holds the role. Meets: the role is in its stories, held by something it meets.
- Trickster carries both readings
3 citations
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Aughisky."
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, s.v. "Aughisky."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Aughisky."
- Water carries both readings
3 citations
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Aughisky."
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, s.v. "Aughisky."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Aughisky."
- Hero meets
3 citations
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Aughisky."
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, s.v. "Aughisky."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Aughisky."