Читать книгу The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A–Z of Fantastic Beings from Myth and Magic - John Matthews - Страница 138

A variety of malevolent spirit in the folklore and beliefs of the Maori people of New Zealand. Seen as vehicles for the Atua, or spirits, the Aria were responsible for inflicting disease and misfortune, and even the sight of one could bring disaster. The fearsome form taken by this creature was that of the green gecko. A story, recorded in 1823, tells of a ship’s officer, who was carrying one of these reptiles in his hand, asking a young Maori woman for its name in her language. The woman drew away from him in terror, repeating over and over that this was one of the Ari, which fed upon the bodies of the dead.