What are Vodniks / Vodyanoy Vodníks (or Vodyanoy in Russian and Ukrainian) are water spirits from Slavic folklore and mythology that inhabit lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water. They have pre-Christian pagan origins and are, in many ways, similar to Greek nymphs or English fairies. The physical appearance of Vodníks varies between Slavic cultures, …
7 Obscure Facts about Vodniks, Slavic Water Spirits Read More »
In the fields there appears, usually at the time of harvest, the Poludnica, sometimes Polednica, Poludnitsa (“Midday Spirit”) or the goddess(es) of the fields (from polder’ or poluden’, meaning “mid-day”), she was frequently attended by the polevoi. Although she was a patron deity of agriculture, the poludnitsa was also a mischievous spirit who would punish …
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A creature that often appears in Slavic folklore and mythology are the Vila or Samodiva. But what exactly are these creatures? Vila or Samodiva are the fairies of Slavic mythology. They are pictured as beautiful women, eternally young, with pale cheeks, blonde hair, dressed in white and possessing many supernatural powers. They are protectors of …
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Also: Perom; Peron; Pikker; Piorun; Pyerun the god of thunder and rain, known as Perkonis in Prussia, Perkons in Latvia, Perkunas in Lithuania, Perusan in Bulgaria, Peron (“curse”) in Slovakia, and Perun in Russia and the Czech lands. His name is possibly cognate with that of Paranjanya, an epithet of the Hindu storm god Indra. …
Perun: The Slavic War & Thunder God (+ Portrait) Read More »
Among the numerous deities of the Elbe Slavs the most prominent place was occupied by Svetovid (sometimes Svantovit or Svantevit). The centre of his worship was in Arkona, on the island of Rugen; and in the middle of the town, which towers on the summit of a lofty cliff, stood his temple, skillfully built of …
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