Anito

By Crusader1307

In Philippine Mythology, ''Anito'' were both Ancestor Spirits and Natural (Animal) Spirits. Anito often ''came back''' to ''guard and protect'' Living Relatives. So too, did they sometimes ''return'' as a specific animal (Bird, Cat, Dog etc). This was sometimes more preferred than returning in a ''Ghost'' State of appearance, which would no doubt frighten a loved one. In later Centuries, Anito were associated with the handcrafting of wooden figurines, made to resemble a dead relative. It would be kept inside of the Family Home, and venerated (often with various forms of sacrificial foods and prayers).