La Pincoya
La Pincoya is a mythological image equivalent to the Nereid or Nymph of the European seas, and in another sense, to Diana, the Roman goddess of the fertility, as well as to Ceres and the Egyptian goddess Isis, who represent the generative and fecundating
power of Nature.
The Chilean myth tells that when Huenchula returns to her parents; place where she had left her tender daughter sleeping in a limpet, she found her transformed into crystal clear water due to the curiosity of the elders. Desperate, she grabbed the limpet and ran to the sea to gently empty it into the waters. Later, getting into the sea, she got lost in the depths while searching her husband Millalobo. Between sobs and cries, she told him what had happened. As soon as she finished the last sentence, she saw a
delicate boat like a limpet approaching. In it was her missing daughter, but now
transformed into a beautiful young lady with long golden hair, of incomparable charm and sweetness to whom she gave the name of Pincoya. With her, the whole family decided to live at the bottom of the sea.
Since then, Millalobo has generously offered to the people of Chiloé the
sowings in seas and beaches through the marvelous and fertile hands of his favorite daughter. La Pincoya comes out from the depths of the sea half-dressed in a seaweed costume to dance on the beaches. When she performs her delicate dance facing the sea, it means that fish and seafood will be plentiful on those beaches and seas; on the other hand, if she does it with her face turned towards the land, it indicates to the villagers that for the coming season, the mentioned products will be scarce. However,
when the shortage, in certain regions is prolonged for a long time due to the absence of La Pincoya, it is possible to make her return by means of a special ceremony.
Besides, when the chilotes are shipwrecked, they always find the tender
Pincoya that comes to their aid next to them. If for superior reasons she fails in saving them, she tenderly transports the bodies of the dead Chilotes to the Caleuche aided by her brothers La Sirena and Pincoy, where they will revive as crew members of the ghost ship and to a new existence of eternal happiness. Surely, for this reason, the Chilotes never fear the rough sea, even though most of them do not know how to swim.
The spirit of the Pincoya always watching over them, gives them full confidence during their risky tasks in the ocean.