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