Zheuzhyk

Zheuzhyk[1] is a creature of Belarusian mythology. It is considered to be a good creature that lives deeply in the lake bed. Zheuzhyk is considered to be the guardian of rivers and lakes of Belarus.

Sculpture of Zheuzhyk, by Belarusian sculptor Anton Shipitsa on the basis of illustrations of Valery Slauk

Description

In Belarusian folklore Zheuzhyk is described as a thin old man with a long red beard, long and thin arms and legs.[2]

Mode of life

As it is said in Belarusian myths, during a day Zheuzhyk swims underwater, and at night Zheuzhyk slowly swims round its possession on boat, dispersing the waves. There is a belief, that is somebody gets into a trouble on water, Zheuzhyk will surely come to rescue. Zheuzhyk is so strong that it may even stop the wind and the storm.[3]

See also

References
  1. "Magical World. From Belarusian Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales", Minsk, "Piatrus Brouka Belarusian Encyclopedia" Publishing House, 2008
  2. Цыбулькин В. В., Сивальнёв А. Н., Сердюченко М. Н. «Влесова книга»: Быль и мифы Славянской цивилизации. — К.: ЧП Зеленский В. Л., 2016.
  3. Boris Rybakov. Ancient Slavic Paganism. Moscow, 1981. Б. А. Рыбаков. Язычество древних славян. — М.: Наука, 1981. — ISBN 5-02-009585-0.
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