Tradition holds that aluxob are generally invisible but are able to assume physical form for purposes of communicating with and frightening humans as well as to congregate.
Their description and mythological role are somewhat reminiscent of other sprite-like mythical entities in a number of other cultural traditions (such as the leprechaun or Brownie ), as the tricks they play are similar.
For seven years, the alux will help the corn grow, summon rain and patrol the fields at night, whistling to scare off predators or crop thieves.
In fact, because of such striking similarities, some suspect that the Maya's belief of aluxob developed through interactions with the Spanish or pirates during the 16th century.
In 2023, the sitting president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, posted a picture of an alleged alux on Twitter, claiming that it had been spotted by an engineer working on a rail project.