Tradition: Estonian Mythology
Alternative Names: Kower, Köwer-silm
Category: Goblin
The Myth
Kower is a forest spirit in Estonian folklore that takes the form of a cross-eyed man. He wanders through the forest and hides inside twisted, unnaturally shaped birch trees. His unusual appearance and association with strangely formed trees distinguish him from ordinary human beings and connect him to the mysterious features of the woodland.
Kower is associated with the legend of the magical forest of Tohtla. Within this forest, the spirit conceals himself among birch trees whose distorted shapes make them seem unnatural. He is therefore linked to the hidden and uncanny aspects of the forest, inhabiting places where the trees themselves appear strange.
The name Kower is associated with the meaning “oblique” or “crooked,” reflecting the spirit’s cross-eyed appearance. A related Estonian name, Köwer-silm, literally means “slanted eye” or “crooked eye.” These names emphasize the unusual appearance of this elusive forest being.
Sources
“Kover.” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). https://www.bestiary.us/kover