What is Labubu, Really?
Labubu isn’t just another quirky collectible figure, it’s a pop culture phenomenon with roots far deeper than its fuzzy surface suggests.
At first glance, Labubu may look like a mischievous monster toy. But dive deeper, and you’ll discover a character born from ancient myth, reimagined through modern art. Created in 2015 by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, Labubu began as a sketchbook creature before debuting in The Monsters Trilogy, a children’s illustrated book series. Its global breakout came in 2019 when Lung partnered with Pop Mart, a Beijing-based designer toy company. From that moment, Labubu exploded onto the world stage plushies, keychains, limited-edition vinyls, you name it.
One viral moment? BLACKPINK’s Lisa spotted flaunting a Labubu charm on her bag. The internet went wild.
But with internet fame comes… internet drama.
Mythology Behind the Mischief
To understand Labubu’s real inspiration, forget TikTok and head back to the misty forests of Northern Europe.
Raised in the Netherlands, Kasing Lung drew on Scandinavian folklore and Nordic mythology. Think: elves, forest spirits, trolls; the kind that lived in mossy glades and whispered warnings to travelers. In those old tales, these beings weren’t evil. They were guardians. Mischievous, yes. But their role was to maintain harmony between humans and the natural world.
Labubu is not a copy of any one myth. It’s an imaginative remix part forest troll, part moral trickster, part cozy nightmare. Its oversized eyes, pointed ears, sharp grin, and tiny fuzzy body all nod to classic European folklore, but with a modern, stylized edge.
The Toy That Sparked a Conspiracy
With Labubu’s skyrocketing popularity, the internet did what it does best: spin conspiracy theories.
A now-deleted TikTok claimed that Labubu resembled Pazuzu, a demon from ancient Mesopotamian mythology. The sharp teeth, wide stare, and elfin ears? Allegedly “proof” of hidden occult symbolism.
The video set off a wave of viral panic. Some users began burning their Labubu toys. Others declared it demonic and urged fans to stop collecting them.
But here’s the kicker: these claims are based on surface-level fear, not fact.
Meet Pazuzu: The “Demon” Protector
Let’s break this down.
Pazuzu was a deity in ancient Mesopotamia, known for his connection to wind, disease and protection. People wore amulets bearing his image to ward off evil spirits. Despite his terrifying face, Pazuzu was called upon by exorcists to defend, not destroy.
So while Labubu and Pazuzu might look similar to the untrained eye, they serve entirely different roles. One is a mischievous sprite rooted in European folk myth; the other, a misunderstood protector from the ancient Middle East.
Why Labubu Isn’t Evil It’s Archetypal
Much like other pagan-inspired creations, Labubu has been misunderstood by modern eyes. Historically, many ancient symbols fertility idols, forest totems, or sacred beasts,were rebranded as “evil” once dominant religious narratives took hold.
Labubu’s wild grin and odd charm can feel unsettling, sure. But that’s exactly what makes it powerful: it blends innocence with unpredictability, like a trickster god in toy form. It plays on the emotional tension we recognize from old fairy tales, those that both fascinated and warned us as children.
From Troll Dolls to Labubu: A Lineage of Magic
Labubu isn’t the first creature to stir both wonder and suspicion.
Remember Troll Dolls from the 1960s? They too came from Nordic roots symbols of good luck and playful mischief. Just like Labubu, they were misunderstood, turned into icons, then blamed for everything from bad luck to spiritual confusion.
The modern Labubu is part of this cultural thread: a reflection of arcanology in action. It’s how myth adapts, survives, and surprises us in new skins.
Conclusion: Embracing the Lore, Not the Fear
Labubu isn’t a demon. It’s a symbol.
A handcrafted creation that taps into ancient myth while embodying modern design. Its viral success is not the result of occult forces, but of artistic resonance. People connect with it because it feels ancient and fresh at once,just familiar enough to tickle the imagination.
To truly appreciate Labubu is to understand the power of folklore: not as superstition, but as story. As culture. As a mirror for the parts of ourselves that still believe in monsters, magic, and the mystery of the forest.
So next time you spot a Labubu charm swinging from a backpack, remember it’s not cursed. It’s enchanted.