Characteristics

Aswang are known for being vampires, ghouls, witches, and viscera suckers 

They are often depicted as female and have long, black hair 

They are said to have inverted feet 

They are believed to avoid bright lights and loud noises 

They are commonly perceived as nocturnal predators that hunt humans under the cover of night 

Origin of the term

The word "aswang" comes from the Sanskrit word "shwan+ang" (shwan = dog and ang = body)

Aswang stories and definitions vary greatly from region to region and person to person