Skinwalker
Also called Yee naaldlooshii.
In Navajo (Diné) tradition, this is a malevolent human witch who has gained the power to transform into or take on the characteristics of an animal, most often by violating sacred taboos.
At a glance
- Tradition
- Native American folklore
- Region
- American Southwest (place of origin)
- Trait family
- The Swift-Footed
Near this figure
Symbols
Judged against the description by a model. Meanings are our own paraphrase.
- Crow is The crow denotes oracle, messenger, creator, or helpful guide, but also carrion, blackening, and misfortune; solar readings may reflect confusion with ravens or cocks.
why
A skinwalker is understood to be a person, usually described as a witch or medicine person who has turned to evil, who has gained the ability to transform into, possess, or take on the appearance and abilities of an animal, most commonly a coyote, wolf, fox, owl, or crow.
- Witch is image-domain The witch denotes the hidden craft working behind appearances, caster of spells and mistress of disguise, seeing by second sight and questioning the dead.
why
In Navajo (Diné) tradition, this is a malevolent human witch who has gained the power to transform into or take on the characteristics of an animal, most often by violating sacred taboos.
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
A skinwalker is understood to be a person, usually described as a witch or medicine person who has turned to evil, who has gained the ability to transform into, possess, or take on the appearance and abilities of an animal, most commonly a coyote, wolf, fox, owl, or crow.
Behaviour
- Shed skin to transform
why
In many tellings the transformation is achieved by donning the pelt or skin of the animal in question.
Sight and sound
- Voice mimics loved one
why
mimicking the voices of loved ones or animals to lure victims
Utility powers
- Shapeshifting
why
A skinwalker is understood to be a person, usually described as a witch or medicine person who has turned to evil, who has gained the ability to transform into, possess, or take on the appearance and abilities of an animal, most commonly a coyote, wolf, fox, owl, or crow.
- Superhuman speed
why
Accounts describe skinwalkers moving unnaturally fast, running on all fours even in partially human form, and being sighted at night along roads or near homes, where their eyes are said to reflect light abnormally when caught in a vehicle's headlights or a flashlight beam.
- Vocal mimicry
why
Powers attributed to skinwalkers in various tellings include shapeshifting, superhuman speed, mimicking the voices of loved ones or animals to lure victims, cursing or causing illness and death at a distance, and reading the minds of those they target.
Curses
- Curse infliction
why
Powers attributed to skinwalkers in various tellings include shapeshifting, superhuman speed, mimicking the voices of loved ones or animals to lure victims, cursing or causing illness and death at a distance, and reading the minds of those they target.
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.
- Shadow carries both readings
1 citation
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Skinwalker."
- Trickster carries both readings
1 citation
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Skinwalker."
- Hero meets
1 citation
- George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, s.v. "Skinwalker."