Tradition / Region: Estonian Mythology
Alternative names: Metsataat, Metsaisa
Category: Forest dweller
The Myth
Metsavana, the Old Man of the Forest, is the ruler of a single forest, with every forest believed to have its own guardian. He appears as a tall, elderly man with an unkempt beard covered in moss, dressed in birch bark clothing with a large birch hat and boots.
He governs the forest and decides whether hunters will have a successful hunt. He can speak with the birds and animals of the woodland and is regarded as the protector of wild creatures, especially bears, wolves, snakes, and foxes.
Although generally benevolent, Metsavana is also a trickster. He may mislead or trouble people who wander into the forest or fail to show it proper respect.
Sources
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Metsavana. In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metsavana