Rusalka
Mysterious Water Spirit
Characteristics
- Female water spirit
- Drowns unwary travelers
- Associated with untimely death
- Can be benevolent or malevolent
Appearance
- Beautiful young woman
- Long flowing hair
- Pale greenish skin
- Often nude or in white gown
Description
Rusalka is a female water spirit in Slavic mythology, often associated with lakes, rivers and ponds. She is typically the ghost of a young woman who died a violent or untimely death, especially by drowning.
During Rusalka Week in early June, these spirits were believed to leave the water to dance in forests and fields, swinging on tree branches and singing enchanting songs that could lure men to their deaths.
Mythology
Rusalki (plural) were originally benevolent fertility spirits associated with agriculture and rainfall. After Christianization, they became more dangerous, associated with drowned women and unbaptized children.
Some legends say rusalki must comb their hair constantly to avoid going mad. Their hair is said to be always wet, and if it dries, the rusalka will die. They can transform into animals like frogs or birds.
Cultural Significance
Rusalki feature prominently in Slavic folk traditions, especially during Green Week celebrations. People would leave offerings of cloth and ribbons on trees to appease them.
The rusalka inspired many works of art, including Dvořák's opera "Rusalka" and numerous Slavic folk songs and poems about tragic love between humans and water spirits.