terça-feira, 4 de outubro de 2011

Devil in the Bottle

Hey, you! The little one has escaped! And it's growing really fast!

Brazilian folklore has this legend about a devil in a bottle. It seems to be a Portuguese heritage and it has nothing to do with alcoholism as in the songs of Lynyrd Skynyrd or TG Sheppard. Instead it is a small imp or demon kept in a bottle that can grant to its owner power and money. It has similarities to Robert Louis Stevenson's tale "The Bottle Imp".

To whom that is interested in owning a devil in the bottle, the recommendation is, first of all, celebrate a demonic pact. Then one will have to get the egg from which will emerge an about 15 cm imp. In some regions people say that it’s a chicken egg fertilized by Lucifer. Others believe that it's a rooster (?) egg.

Believers have to seek it during the Lent. After finding the egg the owner will carry it under his left arm and take it on the first following Friday before midnight at a crossroads, and wait there for the next day. In the early hours of Saturday, he will return home, keep the egg in a safe place and take a deserved rest. Forty days later, a devil will be born, it should be immediately locked up in a clear glass bottle tightly closed, to avoid any unforeseen nasty event. Hereafter, over the years, the devil will enrich its owner, and after his death, will take his soul to where nobody knows... but can imagine.

By the way, this is my entry for this week Three Muses challenge: BOTTLE.

Little devils (slightly altered) by Marcus Hedlock (chubby) and Isac Vitor Medeiros (one-horned); skinny one from a free wallpaper;

14 comentários:

  1. I love that story, Christine! And I love your bottled imps. It is probably the best place for them to be!
    Great and funny artwork with a wonderful story to go with the picture.

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  2. Keep those little devils bottled up, Christine, love your story and your art to accompany it, thanks for sharing it!

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  3. Holy cow! I've never heard of such a legend. Your picture really made me smile!

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  4. What a lovely devil Christine!
    It doesn't look too wicked...
    May be it's better to let them free?
    Your picture make me smile!
    I love it! it's well realised and funny!

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  5. Adorei ler nosso folclore Brasileiro!! E mais que isso, seus potes diabólicos estão o máximo!! Não os deixe escapar!!!

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  6. Thank you so much for sharing the legend of the devil-in-a-bottle, Christine! Your art is a perfect illustration of the story, and I enjoyed both so much!

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  7. What a great post I love your little devils in a bottle there are so cute who would think they are evil...maybe that's how satan got started. lol

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  8. What a great piece of folk law, Christine,and I love how you have illustrated it. However, it seems a very risky business keeping a devil in a bottle so I will stick to biscuits. Hee hee.

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  9. Wow, Christine,
    I had never heard this story before how interesting. Makes me wonder what it would be like to carry an egg in your left arm pit for a while. Your imps are great,cool digital art!


    Paulette

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  10. What a pleasure to read your story !!
    You surprise us every time with your unique entries Chistine. It's a feast to visit your blog !!!

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  11. Hi Christine, what a fabulous tale to go with your devil in a bottle he . Fabulous inspirational work as always.

    Marie

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Your kind comments are very welcome! Seus gentis comentários são muito bem-vindos.