Dōc Cu'ó'c

In Annamese belief, a benevolent half-bodied spirit. Standing on his single leg, the longitudinally spirit brandishes an ax in his single hand, protecting his country from evil spirits which he can spot from afar. He is swift as lightning. Dōc Cu'ó'c cures diseases and sends good, but also bad, weather, bestows success, good crops, virility.

People write magical formulas on paper or shells which are used as charms against barrenness, nightmares, toothaches, and ghosts. The priests of his temple make figures of paper, wood, or straw and use them to wreak havoc upon men or animals.

References

Sources

  • Cabaton, Antoine. (1925). "Annam (Popular Religion)." In ERE, Vol. 1, 537-544, p. 539.
  • Leach, Maria, ed. (1984). Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend. New York: HarperCollins.