Garab/Talibong with deity hilt

[David]

Originally Posted by JeffS

I haven't seen anything comprehensive on the Filipino mythology entities, from what I read the stories differ widely geographically but with some common characters. I don't think they fall into god/demon categories like in Balinese hilts. This one is quite distinctive and of a style I havent seen, it does look quite diabolical with that fanged grin stretched into a top knot (or hat?) and vertically oriented eyes. Would love to learn more.

I suspect it is very much the same kind of classifications. When these have figural hilts they seem to generally be considered "monster" hilts and while yours is indeed distinctive, given the appearance, with a fanged grin and bulging eyes i would place my money on demon over deity all day.

[JeffS]

Originally Posted by David

I suspect it is very much the same kind of classifications. When these have figural hilts they seem to generally be considered "monster" hilts and while yours is indeed distinctive, given the appearance, with a fanged grin and bulging eyes i would place my money on demon over deity all day.

Agreed, given a choice between a demon or a god, I would select demon. What I was getting at is that I don't think such a distinction is typically made with these mythological beings. For example, Bakunawa which is commonly attributed (on this forum) to horned and fanged pommel heads has characteristics of both - being very monster like but also a celestial being.