Ankou: Breton Angel Of Death That Delivers Souls To The Underworld

A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – Ankou – believed to travel in a cart, collecting souls along its journey – has always been regarded with great fear and deep respect in Breton beliefs of the local peasantry.

His presence symbolizes the inevitability of death and serves as a reminder of mortality within the cultural narratives of Brittany.

Ancient tales vary in the details of Ankou’s identity. Sometimes, he is described as a tall, exhausted skeletal figure with flowing white hair, carrying a scythe, wearing a felt hat, and dressed in either black clothing or a shroud. One of his most intriguing characteristics is his head, which possesses the ability to rotate a full 360 degrees.
He is known for driving a “carriage of Ankou,” which is drawn by skeletal horses.
Additionally, he has an attendant referred to as ‘mevel an Ankou.’

The 360-degree turn is considered to symbolize the spirit’s ability to see everywhere and everything.