In the shadowy world of folklore and myths, few creatures elicit as much dread and fascination as the Wendigo.
This malevolent entity, originating from Algonquian legends, is often associated with an insatiable hunger and a chilling lust for human flesh.
But what exactly draws a Wendigo to its prey?
1. Human flesh
Legend has it that a Wendigo is irresistibly attracted to human flesh.
The scent awakens its olfactory receptors and gets it hunting.
It acts as a magnet that pulls the gruesome creature towards its victims in a non-stop pursuit of a meal.
The creatures are believed to be anthropophagous beasts that hunger for the flesh of humans.
It is said that they were once human. When they were forced to eat human flesh to survive, they transformed into beasts that eat people without being satisfied.
2. Blood
Besides human flesh, Wendigos are also attracted to blood. This is especially true for freshly spilled blood.
In Wendigo lore, blood is an elixir of temptation. The scent of it awakens the creature’s hunting instincts.
When it catches a whiff of it, it comes out of hiding and goes after the aroma with unparalleled ferocity.
Granted, the creature prefers human flesh but blood is always associated with it.
Its lips are always pictured as bloody and tattered and its super-long tongues dark-blue and unsightly.
The smell of blood signifies that human flesh is not too far away.
3. Organs
Internal organs are also irresistible to Wendigos. That includes everything from the vital organs (heart, lungs, liver, brain, and kidneys) as well as other organs such as entrails and intestines.
The creatures’ insatiable hunger is believed to be temporarily catered to by these organs.
The thought of feasting on a human heart or lungs sends a shiver down a Wendigo’s spine.
However, consumption of the organs is more of a sadistic pleasure rather than actual feeding.
After eating the organs, the supernatural beings will look for human flesh to feel somehow satiated.
What Happens When You See A Wendigo?
In the depths of folklore, the Wendigo is depicted as a creature of terrifying horror.
Anyone who is unfortunate enough to come across one, the experience is etched in unspeakable terror.
Before having an encounter with a Wendigo, you will often be met with either a sudden unseasonable chill or a foul stench.
When it’s near, it will give such a haunting howl that pierces the night silence like a banshee’s scream.
This alone is enough to paralyze your spine and tell you of the horror that’s just ahead of you.
Witnessing a Wendigo is thought to evoke a paralyzing kind of fear that grasps the heart and the soul.
The creature’s deep dark eyes, fixate on its prey, paralyzing them with great fear.
It doesn’t help that the creature looks like an emaciated, tall, corpse with sunken eyes, sharp yellow fangs, and claws.
The sight itself will sink you to your knees with fear and dread.
Can Wendigos Be Good?
Based on folklore surrounding Wendigos, there’s absolutely nothing good that can come from the terrifying creatures.
They are depicted as monsters or malevolent spirits with a massive insatiable appetite for the human flesh.
Wendigos are said to be born from weakness, greed, and the very worst aspect of human behavior.
They are driven by one thing only: the desire to murder and kill their potential victims.
In some traditions, wendigos are believed to be symbols of selfishness and the embodiment of greed, gluttony, and excess.
Granted, there are tales of Wendigos in different cultures but the creatures are almost always depicted as dangerous or evil.
What Happens If You Kill A Wendigo?
Killing a Wendigo results in a number of possible outcomes depending on the specific representation or source of the legend. Some of them include the following:
I. Release of spirits
In some Wendigo folklore, killing a Wendigo triggers a release of its spirit which wanders the mountains waiting to possess its next victim.
This means that killing the creature doesn’t end it but rather disperses its essence and creates more Wendigos in the future.
II. Regeneration
Some traditions believe that a wounded Wendigo may regenerate making it incredibly hard to permanently do away with them.
III. Possession
Killing a Wendigo only destroys its physical form, which means that it can move on to possess its next victim.
Its influence stays even after the creature has been murdered.
IV. Risk for more victims
Wendigos have long been portrayed as creatures with an insatiable appetite for human flesh.
Even after killing and chomping on one person, they will still kill new victims.
