Cherufe
Encyclopedia
The Cherufe is a gigantic, anthropophagous creature in the Mapuche mythology
; of the South American culture, in Chile
.
pools found deep within Chilean volcano
es and are the source of earthquake
s and volcanic eruptions. Cherufe are also said to be the source of magicians ardent stone
s (meteorite
s and volcanic stones) that cause damage in volcanic regions.
The only way to abate the Cherufe's appetite for destruction was to satiate the beast's taste for human flesh by throwing a sacrificial victim into the bowels of its volcanic home. Much like the European dragon
, the Cherufe's preferred delicacy came in the form of virginal maidens.
Legend has it that once the Cherufe was finished consuming the more delicate portions of its victims, it would delight in a macabre game in which it would ignite the disembodied heads of the young girls who were sacrificed to it, and hurtle them from the mouth of its volcanic home.
The mythological origins of this beast may have originated to explain anomalies of geological events such as volcanic eruption
s.
, the Cherufe is described as a large reptilian humanoid
creature or dragon. The Cherufe appeared in the episode "Twelve Thousand Degrees Fahrenheit" of The Secret Saturdays
, a Cartoon Network series about cryptids. A variation of the Cherufe called the Red Cherufe appears in The New Brighton Archeological Society
graphic novel.
Cryptozoological investigators also consider the possibility that the legends of the Cherufe maybe be based, albeit loosely, on sightings of an actual biological entity, which would have to be capable not only of surviving, but flourishing, in the incredible heat of molten
rock. This might be similar to animals who thrive in the tremendous heat found in the mineral rich exhaust of hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor.
However, in the "original" Mapuche legend, the Cherufe is not a dragon, reptile humanoid or similar creature; and this description is based on a later mistaken interpretation of the myth.
Mapuche mythology
The beliefs of the Mapuche and their mythology, stories about to the world and creatures born of the extensive and old religious beliefs, next to a series of common legend and myths that belong to the different groups that compose the Mapuche ethnic group .-Description:In the mythology and beliefs...
; of the South American culture, in Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
.
Legend
The Cherufe is an evil creature humanoid of rock and magma. It is said that Cherufe inhabit the magmaMagma
Magma is a mixture of molten rock, volatiles and solids that is found beneath the surface of the Earth, and is expected to exist on other terrestrial planets. Besides molten rock, magma may also contain suspended crystals and dissolved gas and sometimes also gas bubbles. Magma often collects in...
pools found deep within Chilean volcano
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
es and are the source of earthquake
Earthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
s and volcanic eruptions. Cherufe are also said to be the source of magicians ardent stone
Rock (geology)
In geology, rock or stone is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids.The Earth's outer solid layer, the lithosphere, is made of rock. In general rocks are of three types, namely, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic...
s (meteorite
Meteorite
A meteorite is a natural object originating in outer space that survives impact with the Earth's surface. Meteorites can be big or small. Most meteorites derive from small astronomical objects called meteoroids, but they are also sometimes produced by impacts of asteroids...
s and volcanic stones) that cause damage in volcanic regions.
The only way to abate the Cherufe's appetite for destruction was to satiate the beast's taste for human flesh by throwing a sacrificial victim into the bowels of its volcanic home. Much like the European dragon
European dragon
European dragons are legendary creatures in folklore and mythology among the overlapping cultures of Europe.In European folklore, a dragon is a serpentine legendary creature. The Latin word draco, as in constellation Draco, comes directly from Greek δράκων,...
, the Cherufe's preferred delicacy came in the form of virginal maidens.
Legend has it that once the Cherufe was finished consuming the more delicate portions of its victims, it would delight in a macabre game in which it would ignite the disembodied heads of the young girls who were sacrificed to it, and hurtle them from the mouth of its volcanic home.
The mythological origins of this beast may have originated to explain anomalies of geological events such as volcanic eruption
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
s.
The Cherufe creature in cryptozoology
In CryptozoologyCryptozoology
Cryptozoology refers to the search for animals whose existence has not been proven...
, the Cherufe is described as a large reptilian humanoid
Reptilian humanoid
Reptilian humanoids comprise a common motif in mythology, folklore, science fiction, fantasy, conspiracy theories, ufology, and cryptozoology.-Male:...
creature or dragon. The Cherufe appeared in the episode "Twelve Thousand Degrees Fahrenheit" of The Secret Saturdays
The Secret Saturdays
The Secret Saturdays is an American animated television series created by Canadian cartoonist Jay Stephens for Cartoon Network. It debuted on October 3, 2008, in the United States...
, a Cartoon Network series about cryptids. A variation of the Cherufe called the Red Cherufe appears in The New Brighton Archeological Society
The New Brighton Archeological Society
The New Brighton Archeological Society is an original graphic novel series of books written by Mark Andrew Smith & illustrated by Matthew Weldon. The first volume, titled "The Castle of Galomar" debuted in March 2009...
graphic novel.
Cryptozoological investigators also consider the possibility that the legends of the Cherufe maybe be based, albeit loosely, on sightings of an actual biological entity, which would have to be capable not only of surviving, but flourishing, in the incredible heat of molten
Mölten
Mölten is a comune in South Tyrol in the Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, located about 60 km north of Trento and about 12 km northwest of Bolzano .-Geography:...
rock. This might be similar to animals who thrive in the tremendous heat found in the mineral rich exhaust of hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor.
However, in the "original" Mapuche legend, the Cherufe is not a dragon, reptile humanoid or similar creature; and this description is based on a later mistaken interpretation of the myth.