The Windigo

The Windigo is a mythic creature from Indigenous North American folklore, particularly among Algonquian-speaking tribes. It is often depicted as a haunted, cannibalistic spirit or monster that symbolizes greed, excess, and the destructive consequences of losing humanity—especially during harsh winters when scarcity tempts people to turn to cannibalism. The Windigo embodies the dangers of consuming others or becoming consumed by selfishness, illustrating moral lessons about community and self-control. In some stories, it appears as a monstrous, emaciated figure with icy features, serving as a cautionary symbol about the perils of insatiable greed and moral decay.