Al (folklore)

The Al (or Elk) is a spirit in Persian and Armenian mythology that is said to attack pregnant women and steal babies. It is also said to steal the woman's liver, and that its victim and her child would die when the Al touched the liver to water, which the Al had to do in order to eat the liver.

Al was supposedly the first companion made for Adam by God. However, since it was made of fire and Adam, earth, they were incompatible. The introduction of Eve angered the Al, and thus why they attack women.

It is described as half-human and half-animal, with a fiery eye, long thick hair, fingernails made of brass or copper, iron teeth, and the tusks of a boar.

It usually carries scissors. When it wears a pointed hat covered with small bells it becomes invisible. Elks prefer damp dark places like stables and wet corners of houses.

The Al cannot touch iron. Sticking a needle into its garments will render it unable to do evil. In this state, it is usually made into a servant as it cannot remove the needle on its own. To protect an expectant mother, a sword or knife was kept at bedside to ward off the spirit.

According to Afghan mythology the als are young women with floating hair and very long nails who feed upon the corpses of the dead.