Tradition: Sorbian Mythology, German Mythology
Alternative Names: Marawa, Myrlata, Myrlawa, Marava, Myrljata
Category: Demon
The Myth
Myrlyava is an evil demoness from Upper Sorbian folklore who appears as a repulsive, ugly, and perpetually dirty woman.
She was rarely seen, and nobody knew where she came from, where she lived, or what she fed on. Her mysterious nature made her a frightening figure in local folklore.
In Müllrose, in northern Upper Lusatia, people had a saying about a woman who had been working for a long time and was constantly busy with her work. They would say:
“She must be an old Myrlyava.”
The name was therefore used to describe a woman who was regarded as particularly unpleasant or unattractive.
Sources
“Мырлява (Myrlawa).” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). Accessed September 7, 2026. https://www.bestiary.us/Myrlyava