El Sombreron is a traditional Guatemalan folktale of a mythical character that haunts young women and punishes them for their vanity. The word "Sombreron" literally translates to "big hat" and refers to the character's iconic hat. Synonyms for the word "el Sombreron" include "el hombre de la maizera" (the man from the cornfield), "el hombre del sombrero" (the hat man), "el dominador" (the dominator), and "el espantajo" (the scarecrow). In some regions of Guatemala and Central America, the character is known as "el cadejo," an evil spirit that appears as a big black dog. Regardless of its name, the mythical character is mostly portrayed as a terrifying figure that serves to teach people important cultural and moral values.