Al (folklore)
Al or Hal (
Other languages
Traditions
In
In Iran, the al is "a bony, thin old woman, with a clay nose, red face, and a straw or reedy basket hanging from its shoulder, in which the liver or lung of the young mother is placed."[1] In Central Asia, the al is customarily "a fat, ugly and hairy crone with sagging breasts, the one hanging over one shoulder, while hanging over her other shoulder is a woolen bag ... in which she has placed the heart and liver of her victim."[5]
According to numerous Near Eastern traditions, God created an al for Adam's first consort, but the earth-born Adam couldn't adapt to the al's fiery nature; this is the origin of the enmity between the al and Eve and her daughters.[3]
The al is first documented in European literature in the middle of the 19th century.[5]
See also
References
Further reading
- Asatrian, Garnik (2001). "Āl Reconsidered". Iran & the Caucasus. 5 (1): 149–156. JSTOR 4030855.
- Ananikian, Mardiros H. (1925). "Chapter XI: The World of Spirits and Monsters". Armenian Mythology. The Mythology of All Races. Vol. VII. New York.
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