Fairy

Fairy - in Celtic and Germanic folklore - being metaphysical nature having inexplicable, supernatural powers, leading hidden (both collective and separate) lifestyle while having the property to interfere with daily life - under the guise of good intentions, often causing harm [ 2]. The image of the fairies as exquisitely attractive, usually petite women, formed in the heyday of Romanticism in Western literature and has been developed in the Victorian era [3] [4] [5]. In a broad sense, the "fairies" in Western European folklore taken to mean the variety of related mythological creatures, often radically different from each other and appearance and habits, ostensibly friendly and bringing good luck, more often - sly and vindictive, prone to Hoaxes and abductions - before all infants [6] [7] [8].
History of the term and the phenomenon
The word "fairy", like its English equivalent fairy, was borrowed from Old French «faerie» (sovr. - feerie, fee), covering everything that is somehow related to the location of residence and work groups mythical "little people» (faie; later - fee). The source of the French term is Latin fata (guardian spirit, hence the same - Italian fata, Spanish hada). Fata, are used in the feminine gender in the Romance languages, it was originally neuter plural («fates») was derived from fatum («predicted", "prophetic").
Terminology associated with the fairies, to change, and not consistent, so in England initially dominated the idea of ​​"elf", "fairy" in French folklore come here later. [6] In addition, according to the "Oxford Dictionary of Celtic Mythology", "talking about fairies in English is extremely difficult, because the fairy word here translated dozens of more specific terms, indicating the various creatures of the same kind of Irish, shotlanskoy, Gallic, Welsh, Cornwall, mankskoy folk traditions ". [7]
The first reports of fairies appeared in medieval Europe, and the most widespread in Ireland, Cornwall, Wales and Scotland. [2] The first written retellings of stories about fairies in folklore were made Kambrensom Gerald (Giraldus Cambrensis, 1146-1223). However, these records - a rarity: mostly legends and stories passed down by word of mouth. [7] The researchers noted a striking similarity between the description of the fairies and their characteristics in Celtic, English, Scandinavian and continental folk traditions. [7]
Over time, the "documentary" evidence of people allegedly communicate with fairies, mixed with legends and literary images as medieval and relatively modern. [6] Complicates the matter of the fact that, under the guise of "fairies" in folklore entered characters of ancient mythology and sagas. [7] In addition, such an authoritative researcher, as Ven. Robert Kirk, who undertook the study of the fairies in Aberfoyle, Scotland, he was a supporter of the reality of their existence (in fact, according to legend, ended up being carried away in their kingdom). [8] Folklorists have collected numerous data on this belief, but their work remained largely unknown public and do not take seriously - as long as Catherine M. Briggc not put together all the facts on this phenomenon, demonstrating its prevalence, and a number of common features [ 6].
Descriptions of fairies
The idea of ​​the fairy as tiny humanoid creature, often with wings, emerged relatively recently, in the second half of the XIX century. Originally fairy described in two ways - either as a tall, glowing angelic nature, or as something small and wrinkled and most appropriate under the description of a troll. [9] In the Scottish tale "The Fairy and the pot" to save the following description: "... The fairy was a tiny woman with a sharp little face, bright eyes and dark skin hazel. She lived in a green, grassy hill that rises near the home shepherd ". [10]
In this fairy creatures called both female and male, and the size is not taken as a permanent reality: in fact, it was thought that this take on their characteristic fairy magical means, arbitrarily changing it depending on what they want to make an impression [11] . It was alleged that the fairy can take the form of animals (selkie, kelpie) [12]. If you believe the post Justine Goh (Justinian Gaux), the ability to reincarnate fairies truly has no boundaries: XIV century author claimed that his eyes turned fairy once in two opposing armies, which immediately entered into a bloody battle, leaving the battlefield 700 corpses - and this is after the fairy, responsible for all of this, has managed to take the original form and to withdraw from the event. [13]
Reverend Robert Kirk, the parish priest of the Scottish Aberfoyle in Stirling, on the exterior of the fairies wrote in 1691 («The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns and Fairies»): «These reasonable moving spirits have glowing, modify bodies (related to what is called the" astral ") and <consistency> thick clouds; they are best seen at dusk. These bodies is so changeable by refinement of the spirit inhabiting them, which may choose to disappear or appear last "[14]. Allusion to "illusionist" abilities present in fairy tales of the drug, which are presented to people [15] [16]. Popular heroine of Scandinavian sagas - the woman who caused the fairies to take childbirth (giving birth in such cases is often a woman from among the mortals, fairies kidnapping). As a reward midwife give salve designed typically for the child's eyes. Out of curiosity (or misunderstanding), she decided to try the effect of the drug on himself, and then as if to see clearly the reality (the only one midwife told me that she understood she took birth not in a noble lady in the palace, while the beggar in filthy cave) and in own world back or blind, or endowed with dangerous property - see fairies. [17]
In Celtic folklore, fairy - or undersized tiny creature, often becoming invisible - putting on a magic hat. Favorite color fairies - green, and this is not just clothes - there were reports of fairies with green skin and hair. [7] First depict fairies with wings, as if borrowed from insects began illustrators and artists of the Victorian era, when the fairy in the popular consciousness has developed into a kind of beautiful fairy tales. [2] In ancient tales do not seem to describe: the fairies were said to fly, but it did without the wings, often using as "vehicles" stems of plants (eg, ragweed) or birds [18].
Classification of fairies
It is believed that fairies are divided into two classes: the "social" and "individual", but this first graduation held recently-U. B. Yeats (1888) and James McDougall (1910). [7] Fairies of the first group (trooping fairies: Yeats himself and put into use the term) living communities and leisure activities engaged in collective sense: basically, dancing, music-making and participation in luxurious feasts. Mortals are fully capable to overhear the sounds of celebration, you just step on the mound fairies; discern traces of such gatherings of the rings on the grass or flower beds. In Celtic sources claim that "music fairy" was a "divine nature" and, moreover, that "some folk music originated in the music of the fairies". [8] "Sociable" fairies prefer green color and different size: the tiniest of them can be the size of a flower, the largest capable of entering into an intimate relationship with mortals, as there were "documented" evidence. [7]
Lonely fairy, however, avoid gatherings and despise unbridled fun fairies "nepotism": they are either attached to a person and become part of the home (brownies, brownie, leprechaun Irish), trying to help the owners and to bring good luck, or inhabit the open spaces (bogey: bogey, boggart) and there are more or less danger to bystanders. [6] Home fairy single prefers red, brown, or gray outfits. She often communicates with mortals in a threatening tone, and easily angered, but it is always tied to the man and, apparently, feels dependent on interaction with adults and children. Fairies single love do good may select food or money to give to the poor, bring toys to children or taken off damage by sending a witch. [7]
If the "sociable" fairy - a kind of "aristocrats" When there is good-natured, they are "lonely" relatives - "workers", the last popular rumor attributed special irritability. "Home" essentially helps owners to wash dishes, make fire, but ask to be treated with respect and rewarded a cup of milk for their care. In anger, they are capable of producing the effect resembles that soprovozhdaett Poltergeist: throwing stones, prevent ripening wheat, blow out the candles, utensils thrown from the shelves, the house was filled with smoke. [8]
The country of "social" fairy has a huge number of inhabitants, all the messages it - the monarchy, controlled queens, kings fairies are less common but have been mentioned and the rulers - couples. As noted, "The Oxford Dictionary of Celtic Mythology", in many ways, "the kingdom of the fairies resemble human understanding of life in heaven. And there is no time, as there is no deformity, disease, age, and death. Mortals that fall into the realm of the fairies can spend up to 900 years, which seem to them just one night. " Abode fairies "aristocrats" always richly decorated with gold and silver. [7] Most romantic and touching folk stories somehow beat the "time" aspect tell of death, fell in love with the Queen of the fairies, who takes him to his kingdom, including all the desires, but then - with the effect of a breach of taboo - to the back, where he and learns that the earth went back hundreds of years. [8]
In Scottish folklore, there was a rating of the moral sense: it was believed that members of Seelie Court (Seelie - «Blessed", "sacred", analogous to the German selig or Old English sælig) - this is the "good" fairies. Despite the resentment and revenge, they are ready to provide assistance to a person, ask him for help, and then generously reward for it. [19] Their antipodes of Unseelie Court, on the contrary, ready to do harm, and without any reason to. [20] They attack at night traveler, transfer it to another country by air, beaten, forced to shoot livestock (elf-shoot) [21] [22]. Typical examples of this class of beings considered bogle, boggar, Abbylubber [23].
This kind of division is never seen as something strong: for example, English "Pixie» (pixie) has the characteristics of being both social and solitary, of the entity known as Robin Goodfellow, the impression as equally - about mischievous prankster and good home helper. Not all researchers agree that Brown - a kind of fairies. [6] Remained unclear, and the status of "nokera» (knocker), being supposedly inhabited the mines, where metal ore mined. [6]
Traits
The main feature of the fairies was considered extraordinary sensibility, notes the continuing willingness of fairies and thank people for their service. True, the gifts of fairies did not deserve to be treated confidential: the so-called "gold fairy" one only looked at presentation to, and very soon it turned into leaves, ginger cake crumbs, etc. [24] Among the unpleasant traits of fairies, which to fear the man mentioned a tendency to all sorts of pranks. Fairies could confuse hair sleeping, steal small items divert travelers astray. Attributed to them, and the more dangerous behaviors. One of the causes of any form of sudden death was considered kidnapping the fairies, what looked like a dead body, it was believed dummy leaves fairies instead kidnapped a living person [2] [25].
It was believed that vengeful fairies can cause disease (eg, tuberculosis), cause paralysis of livestock. [26] Fear of fairies and elves, bringing disease, remained in England until the time of the Tudors and the Stuarts. Kept records showing activity of rural healers who treated children in which "inspires fairy" - were the main means prayer or "magic potions". [6] On the other hand, people with unusual abilities, often claimed to have received them as a gift from the fairies, in the XVI-XVII centuries, was not uncommon, when healers have used drugs, as they claimed, brought by the fairies, and the same forces were able to expose the witches [6]. Stone arrowheads Neolithic considered "weapons fairies": water, which dipped these stones brought, it was thought, freedom from disease [8].
Fairies, known as Peg Powler and Jenny Greenteeth, who lived in the waters could drown Bathe, advised to avoid swimming in areas where they live. [27] Fairies, according to Celtic legends, were able to bring the "impact» (fairy stroke), which deprived the victim of speech. It was alleged that offended fairy terrible in his anger: it reacts violently and decisively, often burning houses and destroying crops. At the same tricks of the fairies were often not provoked they only made mischief for clot milk, milked the cows in the fields, snatching food from the table, soiled clothing left to dry. [7]
Abductions
In the folklore associated with fairies, a significant place stories of kidnapping. The people believed that this is a dangerous habit for a person had to do with "subordinate" position fairies that pay tribute to the devil's own children, in order to save the past, they steal men, instead of leaving the foundlings. [28] The latter are thought to have resemblance to the kidnapped children, but they were pale, painful and irritated. [7] Sometimes foundling could entice recognize their origin, but there was more brutal methods - torture by fire, and the belief in its efficacy persists in some rural areas of the UK until the middle of XIX century. [8] "There is no doubt that some children received fatal burns, becoming a victim of its own extremely unusual temperament" [8], - said Lewis Spence.
Danger of abduction were adults, especially mothers, who have not had a priest. [29] According to popular belief, a prisoner of the fairies could turn out to be just a tasting treats fairy. [30] The fate of kidnapped a discrepancy in the stories: according to one view in the realm of fairies, they live happily, without fear of disease and death, according to another - languishing with longing for family and friends. [31]
Folk remedies for fairies
A significant part of Western folklore associated with fairies, for protection of their anger: the primary role for this cold iron, which the fairies are afraid. Fear before the iron fey subsequently contacted with the theory of "fairies"-descendants of the conquered peoples (invaders using iron tools, the indigenous people - stone). Were known as the magical properties of ash, the defending fairy. [32] In folklore, there are detailed instructions on the protection of fairies kidnapping children and adults [25]. Among the charms to scare the fairies mentioned putting clothes inside out. It was believed that fairies are afraid of running water, the sound of church bells, clover-quatrefoil. In these regulations were noticed contradictions: for example, some communities rowan revered as a means of scaring away fairies, but in other religions mentioned as a plant sacred to the fairies.
In the folklore of Newfoundland main defense against fairies considered bread as fresh and stale. The belief in the magical properties of special bread goes back to ancient times. Bread, which has a relationship with the home and hearth as a symbol of the conquest of nature and, therefore, should be disgusted with the fairies. However, it was fresh-baked bread (along with butter and cream) was considered the most common form of the gift of fairy or houses. [33] According to K. Briggs, "primitive food and therefore a symbol of life - bread is the most common means of protection against the fairies. Before heading to the place inhabited by fairies, it was considered necessary to enlist the support force of bread, put a piece of it in his pocket ". [34] In Ireland (in particular, in the county of Wexford, as recorded in 1882), "if the child had to take out of the house in the dark, in his cradle sewn clothing or a piece of bread as a protection against evil forces" [35]. On the other hand, is strictly not recommended to eat fairy gifts: it was thought that this is how you can step back to them in the "kingdom" and stay there forever. [2]
Ambiguous role played and bells with bells: though their sound was thought to scare members of the "small world", the Queen of the fairies often used bells to harness their horses.

Werewolf

Werewolf

] Known species of werewolves

• Lycanthrope - werewolf takes wolf wolf or similar form.

• volkolak or werewolves - lycanthrope in Slavic mythology.

• Vilktaki - lycanthrope in Lithuanian mythology.

• Werewolf - lycanthrope in the German and Anglo-Saxon mythology.

• Mardagayl - lycanthrope in Armenian mythology.

• Bisklavert - lycanthrope in Breton tradition.

• Kitsune - werewolf-fox in Japanese mythology.

• Tanuki - raccoon dog.

• Anioto - People leopards.

• Rugaru - a man with a wolf's head, or "hybrid" of a person with a dog, a pig, cow or chicken (usually white).

• Silk - people-seals in Celtic mythology.

In mythology

Transformation into an animal - a very common theme in the mythologies of various cultures. Thus, in "Lay" is described by the capture of Polotsk and Novgorod Vseslav battle on Nemiga. Vseslav presented witch and werewolf.

Kitsune

Kitsune

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Kitsune (Jap. 狐) - the Japanese name for the fox. In Japan, there are two subspecies of fox Japanese red fox (hondo kitsune living on Honshu; Vulpes japonica) and Hokkaido fox (kitsune whale, living in Hokkaido; Vulpes schrencki).

Folklore

In Japanese folklore, these animals possess a greater knowledge, long life, and magical powers. Chief among them - the ability to take the form of a man, a fox, according to legend, is a student to do it at a certain age (usually a hundred years, although some legends - fifty). Kitsune usually take the shape of a seductive beauty, pretty young girls, but sometimes turn around and the elderly. It should be noted that in the Japanese mythology was mixing indigenous Japanese beliefs that characterized the fox as an attribute of the god Inari (see for example the Legend - "Fox-weight weight" [1]) and the Chinese, who thought Fox werewolves, comes close to the demons.

Other features commonly attributed to the kitsune include the ability to become implanted in the wrong body, exhale or otherwise create fire, to appear in other people's dreams, and the ability to create illusions are so complex that they are almost indistinguishable from reality. Some of the stories go on, speaking of kitsune with the ability to bend space and time, bring people mad, or take such inhuman or fantastic shapes like trees indescribable height or a second moon in the sky. Occasionally kitsune ascribed characteristics that resemble vampires: they feed on the life force or spiritual people you come into contact. Sometimes describe kitsune guarding round or pear-shaped object (hoshi tama but that is the "star ball") states that it had taken possession of the ball can make kitsune to help themselves, one theory states that the kitsune "stockpile" of his magic in this ball after transformation. Kitsune must keep their promises, otherwise they will have to be punished by a reduction of their rank or level of force.

Kitsune are associated with both Shinto and to Buddhist beliefs. In Shinto Kitsune are associated with Inari, the patron deity of rice fields and businesses. Foxes were originally messengers (Czukay) of the deity, but now the difference between them is so blurred that Inari himself sometimes depicted as a fox. In Buddhism, they became famous for the popular IX-X centuries in Japan Buddhist Shingon school secret, one of the principal deities of which, Dakini, depicted riding on horseback through the sky on FOX.

In folklore, the kitsune - a kind of youkai, that is a demon. In this context, the word "kitsune" is often translated as "fox spirit." However, this does not necessarily mean that they are not living beings, or are something other than foxes. The word "spirit" is used here in the Eastern sense, reflecting the state of knowledge or insight. Any fox, who lived long enough, so that can be a "fox-spirit." There are two main types of kitsune: mebu or godly fox, which is often associated with Inari and nogitsune or wild fox (literally "field fox"), often, but not always, described as an evil that has malicious intent.

We kitsune can be up to nine tails. In general, it is believed that the older and stronger than the fox, the greater her tail. Some sources even claim that kitsune grows extra tail every hundred or a thousand years of your life. However, the fox found in fairy tales, almost always have one, five, or nine tails.

When kitsune get nine tails, their fur becomes silver, white, or gold. But these kyubi kitsune ("nine-fox") gets the power of infinite insight. Similarly, in Korea, said the fox, who lived a thousand years, turns into kumiho (Kumiho) (literally "nine-fox"), but the Korean fox always portrayed evil in contrast to the Japanese fox, which can be both benevolent and malevolent. Vkitayskom folklore also has a "fox spirits" (fuck-ching), in many ways similar to the kitsune, including the possibility of having nine tails.

In some stories, kitsune have difficulty hiding his tail in human form (usually foxes in these stories have only one tail, which may be an indication of weakness and inexperience of the fox). Attentive hero can expose a person turning drunken or reckless fox making out through the clothes of her tail.

One of the famous kitsune is also a great guardian spirit Kyubi. It is a spirit guardian and protector to help young "wayward" souls on their way to the current incarnation. Kyubi usually remain for long, only a few days, but in the case of attachment to a single soul can accompany her for years. This is a rare type of kitsune, was awarded a fortunate few with his presence and help.

In Japanese folklore, the kitsune are often described as deceivers, and sometimes it is very evil. Kitsune-deceiver use their magical powers for mischief: those that appear in a favorable light, tend to choose their goals too proud samurai, greedy merchants, and boastful people, while more severe kitsune tend to torment the poor traders, farmers and Buddhist monks.

More kitsune is often described as mistresses. In these stories, there is usually a young man and a kitsune, taking the form of a woman. Sometimes attributed to the role of seductress kitsune, but often these stories more romantic. In these stories, the young man usually marries a beautiful woman (not knowing it was a fox), and attaches great importance to its commitment. In many of these stories, there is a tragic element: they end up finding the essence of a fox, kitsune then must leave her husband.

The oldest known stories of wives, foxes, which gives folk etymology of the word "kitsune", in this sense, is no exception. It takes the form of a fox woman and married a man, and then the two of them, having spent several happy years together, give birth to more children. Its essence fox suddenly opened when in the presence of many witnesses, it scared the dog, and to hide, takes its true form. Kitsune is preparing to leave home, but her husband stopped her, saying, "Now that we have been together for several years and you gave me a few children, I can not just forget you. Please come and sleep. " Lisa agrees, and has since returned to her husband every night as a woman, leaving the next morning in the form of a fox. After that it became known as kitsune - because in classical Japanese kitsu-ne means "let's go and get some sleep," while Tsune ki means "always coming."

Offspring of marriages between people and is usually attributed to the kitsune special physical and / or supernatural properties. The particular nature of these properties, however, varies from one source to another. Among those who were thought to have such an extraordinary opportunity - known ommedzi Abe-no Seimei, who was hane (poludemon), the son of man and kitsune.

Rain falling from the sky, sometimes called kitsune, but emeiri or "kitsune wedding."

Varieties

• Yako or Yakan - ordinary kitsune.

• Byakko ("white fox") - Kitsune, wherein the white color.

• AOPC ("Black Fox") - kitsune black.

• Reiki ("Ghost Fox").

• Kiko ("spiritistic fox").

• Corio ("chasing the fox").

• Cuco ("air fox").

• Nogitsune ("wild fox").

• Tank ("Divine Fox") - kitsune over 1000 years, has nine tails, and sometimes golden skin.

Volkolak

Volkolak (werewolves) - Werewolf in Slavic mythology, taking image of the wolf: it is a sorcerer or receiving animal image, or just a person of witchcraft spell turned into a wolf.

With the Slavs volkolak due representation of creatures devour the sun and the moon.

Etymology

The name comes from Wolf + dlaka, the second word means bear. In Church Slavonic dictionary Fr. Mr. Dyachenko is declared Old Slavonic, in the etymological dictionary M. Vasmer - Church Slavonic, both doubtful, since the word is not found either in the old-and Church Slavonic texts, nor in the ancient.

It is believed that since the beginning of XIX century with the light hand of Pushkin spread distorted (from volkolak vurkolak) form of the name - Ghoul, which soon became the dominant literary language (see: M. Fasmer. Etymological dictionary of the Russian language. Per . to him. and complement ON Trubacheva. T. 1. Moscow: Progress Publishers, 1964). [1]

The word "volkolak" (with the regular phonetic variations) Slavic: Russian. volkolak Ukr. vovkulaka, Belarus. vaўkalak, Pol. wilkołak (from literature. vilkolakis), Czech. vlkodlak, Slovak. vlkolak, Serb. vukodlak, Bulg. vlkolak, vrkolak (where grech.βρουκόλακας, βρυκόλακας and room. pricolic). Hypothetical. Art.-Slav. vlkodlak.

Similarity in other nations

Similar volkolak werewolf werewolf (from drevnegermanskogo wer - man and wolf - wolf Werwolf educated German and English werewolf); and Spanish hombre lobo; French loupgarou; Italian lupo mannaro; Portuguese lobisomem; ancient Romans - faunus ficarius, Armenians - mardagayl.

Beliefs in the werewolf played a prominent role in folk tales and distributed around the world, in some countries instead wolves are other predatory beasts in the East Indies - a tiger in South America - the jaguar, in Africa - lion, hyena, etc. n, stories about them most people of different races come together with each other even in the details. It is known that in Belarus volkolak attributed to the Prince of Polotsk Vseslav, which, because of its nature, becomes a wolf, nicknamed - Wizard (Usyaslaў Charadzey).

South Russian and Ukrainian Believe

According to Ukrainian folk traditions sorcerers or witches, anyone wanting to turn into a wolf, catch a wolf pelt and whisper with the magic words.

Sometimes the sorcerer puts a threshold excess belt of twisted bast, who step over the belt, and he turns into a wolf and a former human form can be obtained only when the belt will rub and arcane burst, or when someone will put on him to take off Time, which had previously been imposed on the nodes and imposing each time saying Gospodipomiluy.

Themselves witches, wanting to transform into animals, catch yourself a ring of urine or tumble through hoops.

To turn the wedding train in a pack of wolves, the sorcerer take as belts and urine, how to train those whispers over the straps and bast spell, and then one by one they belts ride; belted immediately become volkolak.

Against these spells can only act spells or charms, which are called wards. In Kharkov province because people believe in the power of charms, that does not bother them to quack spoken: they can read and anyone acting in the role of a wedding groomsman.

In Ukraine volkolak distinguish two kinds. Volkolak transformed from ordinary people, beings do not seem malicious, and those who are suffering, unhappy, deserving full of compassion: they live in dens, scouring the woods, howling like a wolf, but retain the human sense. Volkolak just turns freely, especially witches, do not experience any pain, use the conversion to its purpose; Ryskov wolves at night, at dawn, they again take human form. This distinction is very boldly serve two facts, which can be summarized as common beliefs volkolak.

Volkolak sufferers - are representatives of a special kind of madness, in which patients imagine that they are or may be converted into a wolf. This disease, known as lycanthropy, was distributed in Europe, the average age, patients of this kind still found in the Russian villages, such disease is known in Abyssinia and vAssame, only there the role played by the wolf hyena and a tiger.

At the same beliefs about volkolak malicious visible echoes of mystical ideas, in which the wolf is the personification of the hostile forces of nature. South Slavic beliefs associated with volkolak vampires (vampire). According to legends of the South Slavs, volkolak induces hunger, sucks the blood of humans and dogs sometimes assumes the shape of a handsome guy and makes the young widow to join him in the marriage bond, and therefore the result is children who have, generally, not byvaetkostey. Every man, who was in his lifetime friends with veshtitsami (witch) or evil pitchfork or devil and died without repentance, is made after the death volkolak: a devilish spirit enters the body of a dead man, animates him and forces him to cause all kinds of misery to man. However, even good people sometimes waiting in the afterlife fate volkolak. This happens when a dead man, while he was lying on the table, crossing the cat, dog or chicken. Therefore, the South Slavs banish these animals out of their homes for as long as there is a dead man. In volkolak become as children born of the marriage relation volkolak with a woman, and also people who have incurred the anger and vengeance sorcerer or witch. Then at night is to them an evil spirit with a wolf's skin and tells her to put on, and after that they start at night to scour the wolves, and at dawn, handing over his Wolfskin again take human form.

] Possible Images

The man who is destined to become volkolak can vary during the life of his good qualities: evil forces control all his actions, taught him witchcraft and even seduce him from the path of truth. He usually cunning, powerful, wonderfully ugly and very happy in all their activities and enterprises, he dies instantly. People's imagination with bright colors draws an image volkolak: yellowish, pitted face wrinkles; vsklochennye, hair standing on end, red, bloodshot eyes, covered with blood up to the elbows hands iron teeth - jet black, bluish mustache and saggy skin on the body - that's external volkolak view. But when the night he leaves the dark grave, or he turns into a bat or takes human form, keeping only their iron teeth. However, after the first cock he rushes back to his grave. To get rid of visits volkolak to kill him in his own grave with a stake of hawthorn. But the difficulty of carrying the tool is how to find the grave volkolak. In most cases, the residents of the area in which, thanks to visits volkolak mortality appeared strong, take a young stallion, and with it go to the cemetery, where forced to move from his tomb on the grave as long until you notice that the stallion began to back away from a grave, make jumps to the side and show signs of fear. This means that the grave is hidden something terrible. Fast approaching villagers to this tomb, surrounding it on all sides, dig, and if you notice that the body of the dead man has not yet decayed, despite the fact that he has long been buried, or if the dead man has the appearance, typical volkolak then turn it on his back and between the shoulders drive a number of hawthorn. Villagers rush to burn the corpse and volkolak count, he was killed.

It is believed that as in the tales of the ancient Slavs encrypts thieves. According to the description "volkolak" is very similar to modern thieves. In the bad old days, the best thief's den - a graveyard, and if specifically, the dugout, disguised as a grave. In the woods to hide it was dangerous for thieves. Cross the threshold of the sorcerer - the essence enter into the house of so-called. "Thief in law". And he'll turn into "volkolak." Happy you are a man, at night - a robber. When the dugout - "grave" thief found with horses, for example, digging - he pretended to be dead, and for that it was a fairy tale, if the corpse is not yet decayed - Pierce his stake. In addition, modern apologists and thieves, and the thieves themselves, see themselves as wolves. [1] Moreover, thieves, and now divided into dragons, who steal are shallow themselves to vodka or drugs, they often forgives people, and those who receive the greatest benefit. "Die volkolak quickly."

Mermaid

Mermaid - the mythological and folkloric humanoid, mainly female (or spirit) associated with bodies of water. In Russian folklore, also called cracker, bathing, vodyanitsa, loskotuha and other nicknames. Akin Mavka.
Appearance
According to the traditional Russian ideas, mermaid looks little different from people in the late Russian literature and cinema under Western influence, the image of a mermaid purchased at the bottom of the body instead of the legs flat tail like a fish's tail. Western European mermaid appearance inherited from the artistic depictions of the Homeric sirens, Slavic similar to the Greek nymphs. In the English-speaking bestiary for Slavic mermaids use the word rusalka, and for Western - mermaid.
Important distinctive and unifying feature in the appearance of the mermaids - flowing long hair. Bareheaded, unacceptable in normal everyday situations for a normal peasant girl - a typical and very important attribute: "walks like a mermaid (about unkempt maid)" (from the dictionary Dahl).
The predominant color of hair - Brown, why historian Soloviev produces the name "mermaid" - "with blond hair". [1]
According to some Russian ideas, mermaids have the appearance of little girls, very pale, with green hair and long arms. In the northern regions of Russia (in some places in the Ukraine) mermaids mostly described as shaggy ugly women. Often there is a great chest, "tsytski big, big, already scary". [2]
] The mythological image
In Little Russia and Galicia, there were three kinds of ideas about mermaids. According to one view are identified with mermaids Mavka (dead babies), on the other - with Melusine and are called "Melusine", on the third - with wild women, "Mamun" (monkeys) of Poles and "forks" of Serbs and Bulgarians, who owned wells and lakes and were able to "lock up" water. The Ukrainian fairy tales turn into a mermaid dead girls and children, mostly drowned, people bathing in overtime, those who specifically carried off the water to his service, unbaptized children. In the ballet "Giselle" as the title character is "Vila" after his death.
On the idea of ​​mermaids reflected beliefs connected with "Rusal", the ancient classical concepts of souls of the dead. In a Russian folk song: "mermaid queen, fair maiden, do not ruin the air bag, do not let a boa constrictor, and we'll bow down." Sometimes turn into a protein, rats, frogs. In the Ukrainian song mermaid called "zemlyanochkami."
According to legend, the mermaids of unbaptized dead boys (but not girls), you can read over them to baptize the 12 chapters of the Gospel or the distribution of children forty crosses.
The image of the mermaid is connected simultaneously with water and vegetation, combines features of the water spirits and symbols associated with the cult of fertility (Kostroma, Yarilo), the destruction of which is guaranteed to yield. In Russia and Ukraine, there were mermaid songs that are sung at Whitsun week.
On concepts Urals, shutovki have cursed his wife and maid. They live in the flesh, is invisible from people and will live up to the coming of Christ. Permanent habitation of the water in the company of devils. [3]
] Lifestyle
In some parts of Ukraine, mermaids distinguished field (the same thing as "poludnitsy") and forest ("falyarony" from the troops of the biblical pharaoh who died in the Red Sea). Zelenin writes, "can not be considered definitely Mermaids spirits water or forest or field: mermaids are both here and there, and third." Often see them in ponds, lakes and flowing waters, as they flounder, standing waist-deep in the water, or so that "only a sin not to see" comb and wash her hands [4]
From most of the folk tales, mermaids had no clothes and walked naked and without a hat, but the case would be happy to wear. Clad mermaids often seen in ragged sundresses [3]
The way the mermaids get their clothes, poetically described in the East Slavic songs:
At the gates of birch
Green stood
The branches waving;
At the on birch
Mermaid sitting,
Shirts requested:
"The girls, young married woman,
Give me the shirt:
Although thin-thin,
Yes, white-Belenkaya! "
- DK Zelenin Sketches of Russian mythology.
In connection with the mermaid need, as there was a belief that Dukhovskoi week, when walking in the forest mermaid - naked women and children, with unexpected meeting with them, it is imperative to throw a scarf or something, even the sleeve from the dress to tear if while carrying nothing else will. It was believed that the mermaid steal from fallen asleep without praying women thread, canvas and canvas spread on the grass for Belene, steal clothes and food, anywhere reckless mistress of the situation without prayer, and choose for themselves lovers of men. [3] The desire to dress makes mermaids come at night to the baths, where spinners sometimes left yarn and thread napryast themselves for clothes. "But, obviously, not all of them are trained in this art: the other only obsusolit lobe on the crest obslyunit yes". [5]
Throughout the eastern Slavs, and the Saami, common belief that the water of the beautiful mermaid in the night out of the water, sit on the grass and comb their hair. [6] Believe these are often used by artists and poets, such as Shevchenko (in the poem "recessed"). As crests mermaids use fish bones [3]. To a similar category of water spirits is "shishiga" - naked adult woman, who was sitting on the bank of the water, as often scratching comb her long hair. [7] Saying "damn scratched, and then lost-scratcher" is available in "Proverbs of the Russian people," sobrannyhDalem. In the Chita region in the second half of the XX century was recorded bylichka about a woman whose house was near the river, picked up on the left bank of the mermaid comb. "And every night, that girl did not give sleep volosatiha: knock it out of the window, then at the door." On the advice of an old man, a comb was referred back to the shore, and from that day to come mermaid ceased. [8]
Another distinctive feature of the mermaids is their love for weaving wreaths of flowers, sedges, and tree branches. [9] Marked mermaid who preens, look in the water, as in a mirror.
Belarus has been recorded bylichka, which tells of a mermaid, make a cradle for the baby of a large piece of birch bark. [10]
Among the "range of protein" in the nutrition mermaids people marked fish and crabs, and at night they climb into the barn, where the cows are milked. [11] Often see mermaids of cultivated fields planted with rye and hemp, where they "break the corn." And on the observations in the wild steppes - feed on various grasses and berries. [12] According to the testimony of Galicia, "wild woman loves peas, and it can be in it, on the field or in the garden, often found" [13].
Mermaids also features rapid quick step, such that "a horse can not catch."
Mermaid in the national calendar
According to widespread popular belief, mermaids get into the river in the fall and spend the winter, and at Trinity Semik or go to the land and remain on it for the summer. In this so-called "mermaid week" [14] mermaids run through the fields, swaying trees, can tickle counter to death or capture into the water. With Semik to perfume the day in open water swimming and tried not alone through planted fields did not go. Especially noted Thursday - "rusalichin great day," the day the girl went into the forest, "the mermaid cross." From Tuesday began seeing mermaids, which are often dated to Sunday or the first day of Petrov's post following the mermaid week. [15]
Particularly active as a mermaid on the night of Ivan Kupala 23 to June 24 (from 6 to July 7, new style). [8]
Temper mermaids
In the forest, inhabited by tall trees (oak, lime, etc.) [16], in which love to rock, "In the old days, there was so much of mermaids, they swung from branch to branch in the forests. Not only at night but even in the afternoons "[17], attack people and tickle them to death. In Belarus believed that running around naked mermaids and grimace, and if anyone happens to see them, then he will always ape. [18]
In general, the mermaid - being dangerous and hostile to people of all ages, except for young children who love and, in the event of danger, protect from wild animals sometimes can act as a savior for the drowning. Sometimes throw stones at people. [19]
Imprints of their feet on the bank cleverly hidden, "Traces of these naughty girlfriends are rarely in the wet sand, but this can only be seen from the guard gates: otherwise they search through the sand and smooth down your tracks". [20]
Mermaids have a tendency to specific jokes about what is written in the popular bylichkah: "On the night of Ivan Kupala boys took the horses for the night, kindled a fire, started to warm up, remember that this night go mermaid cut yourself on a good cudgel. Just sat around the fire, and as far from myself saw approaching a nude woman: it was a mermaid. Going up to the fire, she stopped and looked at the guys and went to the river, plunged into the river, came back to the guys was on fire, extinguished the fire and left. Guys again lit a fire. Mermaid again plunged into the river, and came and extinguished the fire again. As was also the third time, the guys met her clubs, and mermaid left "[21]
Sometimes boredom mermaids take over to spend the night on the water a flock of geese and wrap them in the back, as naughty schoolboys, one wing of another, so that the birds can not stretch their wings itself. [22]
According to the description of Pushkin, mermaids scare riders' splashing, laughing and whistling, "[23]. According to popular belief mermaid "tumble, play, are racing games, dances, dancing, laughing," [24]. In a pine forest, there are trees around which the grass is not growing as holding hands is often dancing mermaid, trampling circles. [25] According to the ideas of Russian peasants, mermaids at night under the moon, "which to them is shining brighter than usual," swing on branches, halloo to each other and lead merry round with songs, games and dances. Where they run and frolic there, later, the grass grows thicker and greener, there will be born and bread abundant. [8]
Belarusian mermaid shouting "yy-gu! y-gu! "[25] Smolensk - swinging in the trees with a cry of" religion-religion "or" gutynki-gutenki "[8].
In certain areas of mermaids called "lihopleskami" from what they famously dashing splash or dance. [26] In Kursk province in the past noted superstition that the melodies and rhythms of the songs sung by women, they have overheard singing mermaids.
"Girls and young women do not like a mermaid, and when they see what the forest, attack her, tear clothes and drive off the branches of the forest". [21] On the contrary, with young guys mermaid shamelessly flirting, tickle, try to turn the boats of fishermen, or different ways to lure swimmers to depth.
If a mermaid (one or more) will adhere to the man, then you need to staring into the ground, and they are not looking. From the words of Dmitry Shvarkuna peasant plot was recorded from harassment mermaid "Vodyanitsa, lesovitsa, crazy girl! Lay off, roll back, not in my backyard seem, then you do not live century, and a week to be. Go deep into the river, the aspen high. Aspen was shaking vodyanitsa Uymis. I took the law, the golden cross tsaloval, I do not hobnob with you, not kumitsya. Go into the forest, into the thicket, the forest owner, he is waiting for you, on the moss postelyushku slalom ants carpeted in izgolovitse laid deck, you sleep with him, and I was baptized you can not see ". [27] If the spell did not work, you should prick at least one mermaid needle or pin, which villagers have always been cautious with him, "then the entire Osprey with mermaids cry rushes into the water, where for a long time their voices". [28]
Protect them from the wormwood. Usually when meeting a man mermaid asks: "Wormwood or parsley?" If a traveler says, "Wormwood", mermaid disappointed says, "Forget yes forsake," and disappears. If the answer is the word "parsley", the mermaid happily exclaims, "Oh, you darling!" And tries to tickle poor to death.
] Home mermaid
Zelenin, collector of folklore early XX century, testified that "in Belarus there are cases where a mermaid lives in the house for the working woman," and that they "feed on other people's families," [29].
However, coercion by force do not survive. By bylichke peasant Agafea Antonova from Belarus Given evidence elderly in her village had once brought two captured mermaids, "And do not say anything, just cry and cry, river flows, as long as released. What was released - then sang, played, but in the forest ". [30]
In the Smolensk region in the XIX-XX centuries was recorded next bylichka:
My great-grandfather went to once a week, mermaid forest Lucky tear, it was attacked there mermaids, and he quickly became a cross inscribed on the cross. After that, all mermaids departed from him, only one is still pestered. My great-grandfather grabbed the mermaid's arm and dragged him into the circle, quickly attacked her cross hanging from his neck. Then mermaid in to him, then he took her home. Mermaid-grandfather lived in my whole year, willingly performed all women work, but as a mermaid come next week, the mermaid again ran into the woods. Caught mermaids, talk, eat less - eat more steam and will soon disappear.
- All year round. Russian agricultural calendar. -
Reports of mermaids
In these or other sources for a long time there were reports of a meeting with mermaids or similar creatures prepodnosyaschiesya as true stories.
XII century
In the Icelandic annals Speculum Regale (XII century), there is mention of a monster "margigr" that lives off the coast of Greenland. By the description of a typical mermaid - to the waist looks like a woman with long arms and soft hair, from the waist down in her fish tail, fins and scales. [31] [32]
In a British record, there is mention of the "Mariner" ugly appearance, caught in 1187 on the coast of Suffolk. [31]
XV century
The story of the spent some time on land mermaid. It is reported that at the beginning of XV century in Holland storm destroyed the dam and the sea flooded the land. Local residents found stuck in shallow water nymph and took her to him. They taught her to wear clothes, eat human food, knitting, cross bow, but failed to learn to speak. Mermaid lived on the land for fifteen years. When she died, she was buried in the Christian tradition. [31] [32] This story is retold in the book Sigaud Fonds de la (Fr. Sigaud de la Fond) «Wonders of nature, or a collection of unusual and worthy of note events and adventures in the whole world bodies , the order of the Alphabet. "[citation needed 692 days]
Christopher Columbus during his first voyage (1492-1493) wrote that he had seen off the coast of Guiana three mermaids. [32]
XVII century
In the ship's log, Henry Hudson, which he led, sailing off the coast of the New World, there is a record of what the two sailors, Thomas Hills and Robert Raynar iyunya1608 15 years have seen a mermaid. They informed the captain that the navel up her chest and back were as a woman, she had a very white skin and long black hair, and her tail was like a dolphin's tail. [31] [32]
British Navy Captain Richard Uitburn wrote in his memoirs that in 1610, for the first time met a strange creature in the harbor of St. John's in Newfoundland. Beings have proportional and beautiful female face on his head were many blue stripes, similar to the hair. The upper part of the creature was a human, a lower Uitburn seen. Being behaved quite amiably. When it tried to get into a boat to the sailors, he was hit on the head with a paddle, since it is to watch people from a distance. [31]
There is a legend about the case of Francisco Vega Casar, allegedly lived in Lierganese (Cantabria), and shows the ability of a child to swim better than others. In 1674 he was in the bath was carried strong sea currents and disappeared. In February 1679 near the bay of Cadiz fishermen caught a humanoid that was observed for several days in water. The creature looked like a tall young man with pale skin and red hair. He had on the scales along the back and along the belly. Between the fingers was brown membrane. It was noted that he roared and roared, twelve people were required to hold it. Three weeks of being struck in the Franciscan monastery, where it produced over the rite of exorcism. In January 1680 he was taken in Cantabria, where the mother of the missing, Francisco and his brothers admitted to being his son and brother. When he lived in the village, we ate raw meat or fish, hardly spoke. In 1682, fled back into the sea. [33]
In 1682, near the town of Sestri (Italy) was caught by a "sea people". "He lived only a few days of crying and uttering plaintive cries, and all this time did not eat or drink". [31]
XVIII century
In a certain edition of 1717 was shown a creature that looked like a mermaid, which is written, that it was caught on the coast of Borneo, in the District of Amboyna. At length the creature was 1.5 meters, "physique like an eel." Lived on the land a little more than four days in a barrel of water, refusing to eat. Periodically publish a squeaking sound. [32]


XIX century



After a few

Silk

Shélki (Sélki, Eng. Selkie) - mythical creature of Scottish and Irish folklore (in Ireland they are called roany), sea people, people-seals.
Resemble humanoid seal with brown eyes. Seal skins allow them to live in the sea, but they sometimes have surfaced for air. According to some sources, the silk - the descendants of people who were driven into the sea for their crimes. That is why they are so drawn to the land. Are out of the water once in nine nights. When out of the water, throwing off the sealskin and take human form. If a guy or girl finds discarded silk skin, it can lead to marriage silk. The children of such marriages are born with webbed toes and has healing powers. But such a marriage, as in the case with mermaids, often lasts a very short time.
Girls silk often also looking for a partner for sexual relations among people. If a young person will find a red hat on the beach, it means that they are interested in silk. If he accepts the offer, it should go on the next day at sunset to the shore, where he will be silk.
Silk is presented as loving and good creatures, but they can avenge the insult, causing storms turning fishing boats.
Silk can be called, sitting on a rock at night by the water and dropped into the water seven tears.
Roany much like silk, but they differ a great fondness for peace and timidity.

Tale has it that a fisherman walking along the beach when he heard laughter. He crept closer and saw bathing in the sea of ​​young people. Nearby on the sand lay sealskin. The fisherman pulled one of them.
When everyone else spread to seals and floated on the bank there was one pretty girl. She begged the fisherman to give the skin, but he fell in love with a girl at first sight, and took her as his wife.
They moved in together and were happy, but the fisherman's wife if something oppressive: it sometimes wistfully looked at the sea. One younger daughter asked her what is in the stone barn - a silvery, with brown stripes. The woman ran to the barn, grabbed the skin and headed out to sea. When she sailed from the coast, to meet her, got the boat in which sat a fisherman. He looked at the seal, and found his wife's eyes, but it was too late.

Rugaru

Rugaru, Lugar (French Loup-garou (werewolf), [1] options: Rougarou, Roux-Ga-Roux, Rugaroo, Rugaru) - a kind of folklore werewolves, which is a man with a wolf's head, or "hybrid" of a person with a dog, a pig , cows or chickens (usually white).
Rugaru is part of the folklore of Francophone settlers in Louisiana. Among the versions of the legend are the most common are:
• Rugaru are those who sold his soul to the devil.
• Rugaru pursues naughty children. Or Catholics break the fast (one of the versions, the man seven years not to fast is rugaru).
• Rugaru cursed at 101 days. After this period, the curse is moved to a person whose blood rugaru drunk. At the same day the creature looks like a man, and although behaving weird, trying to hide his condition.
• To kill rugaru enough to stab him with a knife, shoot or burn. But there is a way to save him from this curse - in some versions of the legend, rugaru turns back into a human, if shed his blood. However, in a more somber version of the legend, bled rugaru a year kills.
Rugaru are transformed as werewolves - the body is not transformed, as it were turned inside out, quickly, without any physical discomfort and pain. In human form Rugaru keeps an animal essence, that is easy to outbursts of anger and kept at a distance from the people, although much depends on the character. When Rugaru in animal form, inside it is a man, he keeps the human mind and can control the animal desires, as a result do not "lose his head"

Troll

Troll (Swedish Troll - charm, magic) - a supernatural creature from Norse mythology - a dwarf, a giant, a witch. In computer games trolls are mountain spirits associated with the stone, usually hostile to man. Trolls often appear in fantasy literature, usually mixed with images of ogres and mountainous giants. [1]
Trolls in Mythology
Legends of trolls originated in Scandinavia. According to legend, they scare the locals with its size and witchcraft. According to other legends trolls lived in castles and underground palaces. In the north of Britain, there are a few large rocks, of which there are legends - as if this is a troll, caught the sunlight. In mythology, trolls are not only huge giants like ogres, but small, gnomish creatures usually live in caves (such trolls commonly called forest). Details of the image in the folklore of trolls are highly dependent on the ethnic group. Sometimes they are described variously even in the same legend. Most often trolls - ugly creatures, from three to eight feet tall (sometimes can change their size), almost always attribute appearance troll in images is a very big nose. Have the nature of a stone (born out of the rock), turning to stone in the sun. Eat meat. Often people eat. Live one in caves, woods or under bridges. Trolls under bridges are somewhat different from the usual. In particular, it may appear on the sun, do not eat people, they respect money, greedy for human women (do not see them as food). There are legends about children trolls and human women.
Norway
Carved wooden statues of trolls - the favorite object of handicrafts. The word "troll" is often associated sneftyanymi fields in the North Sea, one of them is called - "Troll" - "Magic." But more to the "troll" is associated, of course, the formation of mountains and rocks, about which people say is the trolls turned to stone, for example: Trolltindy (Magic Truth) Trollholm (Fairy Hill), Trollheimen, Jotunheim and many others. In Norway, there are other place names associated with the trolls, in this case - to the level of evil spirits: Trollvey ("Troll Road"), Trollbotn ("valley of trolls") Trollvann ("lake trolls").
According to the Norwegian tradition, you can see the troll in the deep woods or in the mountains. Troll-looking like a mountain or a giant boulder, covered with moss and heather, and sometimes trees. In Norwegian troll can be one, three, five, six, seven, nine or more goals.
The ancestors of the trolls, in the view of Norwegians are velikany-yotuny/etuny (Norwegian jotun, plural jotner), who stood at the cradle of education in the world. The name "Jotun" in the late folk tradition preserved as "yutul" (Norwegian jutul, jøtul). There is also the Old Norse name "rice" (Norwegian rise). In any case, the word "troll" has become a generic term mining giant, and sometimes refer to the whole evil. Moreover Norse word "magic, witchcraft" also has a root "troll" - "trollskap» (trollskap).
According to legend, the giants were at war with the gods and men. Talk about them, that they are fierce fierce and stubborn. The most famous fighter of Jotun - god Thor. He defeated them with his hammer Mjolnir famous for its courage and cunning. However, there is mention in mythology and how Jotun and asyvlyublyalis each other. In the later folk tradition called gyugrami giantesses.
With the Christianization of Norway, the trolls have a new enemy - St. Olav. Olav had a special gift: he could control the mountains and rocks, was able to pay the troll to stone. Subsequently, the Giants were trying to fight and with churches.
There are stories that the trolls sometimes appear among men in human form. Usually a person can not immediately guess, with whom he was dealing. However, we recommend that, if he became suspicious in any case should not reap a stranger's hand. They can also take the shape of a dog, a black goat or a friendly person with a tail. The main thing - to know how to handle them. First, keep the secret of his name. Do not take on the troll treats and run away so that your tracks formed a cross with a plow furrows in the plowed field. If you met in the valley invite you to follow the troll to light: he okameneet with the appearance of the sun.
Trolls are often kidnapped people. However, the folk tradition provides several ways to protect yourself from trolls or oppose them. First of all, it is, of course, the Christian cross, the sound of church bells and everything else that is associated with the Christian religion. If one were to release a prisoner from the mountains of Troll, then had to ring the bells. If the church has been so far, that is not up to the mountains came the ringing of bells, the bell brought to the mountain and called there.
They say that is not always troll harm to humans, he is kind and serves as a welcoming host. It happens that helps a person to troll, but man - the troll.
As the world changed so much, the trolls have no place in it, but still in the form of high mountains and forested hills, watching them, all is in order in their domains. Perhaps tired of the fuss, they decided to retire and go to the beautiful castle troll Soria-Moria ...
(There trolls. Who's Who in the Norwegian folklore)
Sweden
In Sweden there are trolls myths of both sexes. Their height is 5-8 m, and sometimes higher. Swedish trolls necessarily cause harm, one of the legends associated with the trolls, is a legend of the children with the changeling. According to this legend, trolls steal babies and replace them with their babies. Swedes are building toy "troll houses", is very similar to the present home.
Iceland
Iceland was colonized by Norwegian Vikings, so the folklore here is similar. Icelandic trolls are also "creatures of stone," and many of the details of the landscape are named after trolls.
Troll under the bridge
There are frequent legend of trolls who live under bridges or the bridges built. Trolls usually charge for crossing the bridge with money or service. In some embodiments, the legends connected with the life of the troll bridge. Troll or involved in construction of a bridge or appears immediately after it was built, and the destruction of a bridge troll dies. But there is a perception that the trolls can sometimes leave the old bridge to begin construction of a new one.