Today I wanted to write about Ivan Tsarevich, a hero in Russian folklore. Ivan is the youngest of Tsar Nastasya, the Golden Braid’s three sons. He is married to Marya Morevna. He is the enemy of Koshchei. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Tsarevich?wprov=sfla1
Category Archives: Slavic deities
Koshchei
Today I wanted to write about Koshchei the Deathless, a legendary immortal Russian king. Koshchei is often depicted as the son, brother, or husband of Baba Yaga depending on the legend. Koshchei gained his immortality by sealing his death inside an egg, inside a duck, inside a hare, inside a nest, inside a log, inContinue reading “Koshchei”
Zmei
Today I wanted to write about Zmei, a Russian and Ukrainian dragon associated with water, storms, and death. In some legends, Zmei is a son of Baba Yaga. Zmei is also closely associated with Veles. Zmei is sometimes called Chudo-Yudo ‘wondrous Judas’ drawing a parallel between the evil actions of Zmei and Judas Iscariot. MuchContinue reading “Zmei”
Siemowit
Today I wanted to write about Siemowit, a semi-legendary Polish king. Siemowit is the son of Piast the Wheelwright and Rzepicha. He is the great-grandfather of Mieszko I, the first Christian king of Poland. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siemowit?wprov=sfla1
Zmeu
Today I wanted to write about the Zmeu, a Romanian draconic entity responsible for fire and storms. Zmeu are shapeshifters but often appear as humanoid lizards. Although often considered the same as Balaur, the Zmeu are often bipedal, can use weaponry, and are capable are reproducing with humans, often resulting in demonic or vampyric offspring.Continue reading “Zmeu”
Rzepicha
Today I wanted to write about Rzepicha, a semi-legendary Polish queen. Rzepicha is the wife of Piast the Wheelwright, and mother of Siemowit. She’s only mentioned by name twice in the Polish Cronicle by Gallus Anonymus. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rzepicha?wprov=sfla1
Princess Wanda
Today I wanted to write about a Princess Wanda, a semi-legendary Polish princess/queen. Wanda is the daughter of Krakus. After her father’s death, she became queen of the Poles. When her kingdom was being invaded by the Alemanni she lead her people into battle. Her beauty was so radiant that the opposing troops refused toContinue reading “Princess Wanda”
Piast the Wheelwright
Today I wanted to write about Piast the Wheelwright (Piast Chościskowic), a semi-legendary Polish king. He’s the son of Chościsko. He was married to Rzepicha, who he had Siemowit with. In one legend two strangers visited Piast on his sons seventh birthday, as a thank you for Piast’s hospitality they were blessed to have anContinue reading “Piast the Wheelwright”
Făt-Frumos
Today I wanted to write about Făt-Frumos (Handsome Son), a Romanian folk hero. Făt-Frumos is the youngest son of a king, each of his older brothers failed to fight Balaur (or Zmeu), after compleating his challenge he married Ileana Cosânzeana. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C4%83t-Frumos?wprov=sfla1
Poludnitsa
Today for spooky season I wanted to write about Poludnitsa, a Slavic demon who causes heatstroke and madness. She is the sister of The Zoryas. Poludnitsa travels through fields wielding a scythe taking out those who are overworked, only taking a break from killing to dance. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Midday?wprov=sfla1
Likho
Today, for spooky season, I wanted to write about Likho, a one-eyed slavic goblin who brings death and misfortune. Likho will attach to the back of their victim with the only release to either gift them to another person or to try and drown them in a river. They’re connected to the death goddesses theContinue reading “Likho”
Kupala
Today for spooky season I wanted to write about Kupala, a slavic goddess of the harvest, grain, abundance, earth, and death. Kupala was synchronized with Demeter/Ceres. She was venerated with an ephigy during the summer solstice (Kupala night) Sources:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kupala?wprov=sfla1
Vila
Today, for spooky season, I wanted to write about Vila, an Eastern and Southern Slavic spirit of nature responsible for the death of crops and sometimes people. Vile are shapeshifters often appearing as swans, falcons, or wolves. When in their humanoid form, they appear as beautiful women often riding a stag while hunting. Many ofContinue reading “Vila”
Bannik
Today I wanted to write about Bannik, a Slavic spirit of public bathrooms/bathhouses and childbirth. The Bannik is a shapeshifter turning into a human or stone/coal to avoid being seen. If he is spotted, he may become aggressive, making water too hot or, in extreme cases, comit arson. He is given offerings of fir, soap,Continue reading “Bannik”
Krakus
Today I wanted to write about Krakus, a legendary Polish prince and founder of Kraków. Krakus is the father of Princess Wanda. Krakus was born into a poor family and was a cobbler for years until he killed Smok Wawelski by feeding the dragon dead sheep filled with sulphur. After this feat, he was promotedContinue reading “Krakus”
Countess Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed
Today I wanted to write about Countess Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed, Aka the Blood Countess, a Hungarian noblewoman, prolific serial killer, and a local spirit in the folklore of western Slovakia. She was a member of the House of Báthory and was married to Count Ferenc II Nádasdy de Nádasd et Fogarasföld. Elizabeth Báthory andContinue reading “Countess Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed”
Zilant
To end dragon month I wanted to write about Zilant, a Russian dragon associated with Kazan. When the city of Kazan was being constructed, there were snakes found in Zilantaw Hill, of which Zilant was their king. The humans tried to burn the snakes by filling their burrows with straw. Only Zilant survived by hidingContinue reading “Zilant”
Balaur
Today for Dragon month I wanted to write about the Balaur, a Romanian dragon that can control weather, sometimes similar to the Hydra. The Balaur is an often malicious creature and the enemy of Saint George and Făt-Frumos. Not only can they control the weather bit they are also responsible for the production of gemContinue reading “Balaur”
Smok Wawelski
Today for Dragon month I wanted to write about Smok Wawelski, commonly called the Wawel Dragon, a Polish draconic beast known for eating cattle. Smok Wawelski once lived in a cave under Wawel castle in Krakow, only emerging once a week to devour the towns livestock before being killed by King Krakus and his sonsContinue reading “Smok Wawelski”
Vishap
Today, for Dragon month I wanted to write about Vishap, an Armenian water dragon that causes storms and earthquakes. They fought against Vahagn. They are often compared to Leviathan. Legends suggest Vishap was once worshipped as a storm god before new religious traditions entered the Middle East changing them into a more malevolent figure inContinue reading “Vishap”
Amirani
Today I wanted to write about Amirani, a Georgian demigod/hero who introduced metal work to humans. He’s a son of Dali but was raised by humans. With his adopted brothers, he fought against numerous giants and dragons. After the death of his mortal brothers, he fought against Ghmerti. For this act of pride, he wasContinue reading “Amirani”
Drangue
Today I wanted to write about the Drangue, a Balkan semi-divine hero who can control thunderstorms, and meteorites. Drangue is in a constant cycle of reincarnation, with a new one being born to fight against Kulshedra. When a Drangue is born they have wings and a caul. The Drangue is not always human as sheepContinue reading “Drangue”
Ganymedes' guide. 