Belarusian Mythology

Vargin

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Tradition / Region: Belarusian mythology
Alternative names: Vargan
Category: Cat

The Myth

Vargin is an enormous demonic black cat regarded as the king of the feline kingdom. His fur is as black as coal, his eyes glow like flames, and his body is immense, with a pitch-black, furry tail as thick as a sable’s. He can appear and disappear without warning, squeeze through tiny cracks despite his size, and even pass through closed doors and windows. He is also able to assume the forms of butterflies, monstrous creatures, or humans, and is accompanied by evil spirits. His purring is said to lull people into a false sense of peace before bringing them misfortune.

Belarusian folklore tells that Vargin is one of the rulers of the animal world. The king of cats is Vargin, the king of roosters is Budzimir, and the king of mice is Podnor. While Budzimir represents peace and light, Vargin embodies torment, fear, and darkness.

Vargin is believed to prey upon people suffering from severe mental illnesses or emotional despair. Rather than causing ordinary physical sickness, he drives victims into confusion, social isolation, and complete mental and physical exhaustion. He especially torments those whose illnesses cannot be explained or cured, feeding upon their suffering.

One tale tells of a man named Tomas whose wife became mysteriously ill after insects entered her head. Doctors could not cure her. Tomas lovingly kept a black cat that everyone admired for its gentle nature, but a healer warned him that black cats, especially unknown ones, could bring terrible misfortune. The healer revealed that the beloved cat was actually Vargin, whose comforting purring concealed his true purpose of tormenting the household.

Another story tells of Budzimir being seized by Vargin, causing fear to spread throughout the world. An oak advised that Budzimir should be freed by calming and soothing Vargin rather than confronting him directly. Once the fire within the cat was allowed to fade and he became gentle, Budzimir was released and peace returned.

Despite his immense supernatural power, Vargin is said to fear only a powerful natural healer or sorcerer capable of driving him away with sacred words. Such healers can banish both Vargin and the evil spirits that accompany him.

Sources

“Варгин (Vargin).” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). Accessed July 28, 2026. https://www.bestiary.us/Vargin

Koshkalachen

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Tradition / Region: Belarusian Mythology
Alternative names: Kashkalachenya, Kotalak (Polish)
Category: Cat

The Myth

The Koshkalachen is a werecat from Belarusian folklore, a shapeshifting creature that takes the form of a cat. According to Belarusian tradition, werewolves could appear not only as wolves but also as toads, frogs, and cats.

One tale tells of a wandering werecat searching for food. Passing a small house, it saw a cat chasing mice and transformed into a magpie to perch on the roof unnoticed. The cat refused to let the stranger approach, so the werecat waited until sunset. As darkness fell, the household cat transformed into a beautiful maiden, revealing that she too was a werecat.

Captivated by her beauty, the werecat leapt from the roof and transformed into a man. The two spent the evening playing and talking together. At midnight, however, an owl cried out from the roof in a child’s voice. The forest stirred, streams roared, the girls transformed into mermaids and fled into the water, while the maiden turned back into a cat and ran inside the house. The male werecat likewise reverted to his feline form.

Unlike ordinary werewolves, the Koshkalachen is almost always found in the shape of a cat and is only believed to return to human form at night.

Sources

“Кошкалачень (Koshkalacheń).” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). Accessed July 28, 2026. https://www.bestiary.us/koshkalachen

Gartsuk

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Tradition / Region: Belarusian Mythology
Alternative names: Gartsuk; Gartsuki
Category: Bird

The Myth

The Gartsuki are mountain spirits in Belarusian folklore that serve Perun, the god of thunder. They usually appear as birds of prey, but they can also take the form of small children with human faces or even transform into horses. Wherever they pass, they leave destruction behind—branches are torn from trees, dust rises into the air, and forests echo with the force of their unseen movement.

At sunrise the Gartsuki descend from the mountains and race through fields and forests. By midday they play among the mountain peaks, and in the evening they return to the highlands. Their constant running and flying stir up powerful winds and storms, making them both companions and servants of Perun. The louder the storm, the more fiercely the Gartsuki are believed to be playing.

Although they are not considered evil, the Gartsuki are wild and dangerous. Their games can flatten crops, break trees, and whip up violent weather. According to tradition, travelers caught in their path risk being overwhelmed by the storms they create, and the spirits vanish only after returning to the mountains with the setting sun.

Sources

Bestiary.us. (n.d.). Gartsuki. In New Bestiary: Encyclopedia of Imaginary Beings. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://www.bestiary.us/Gartsuki

Kryzhatik

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Tradition / Region: Belarusian Mythology
Alternative names: Kryzhatsik
Category: Bird

The Myth

The Kryzhatik is a restless spirit that dwells within the boundaries of a cemetery. It is believed to be the soul of a deceased person whose grave, or more often whose grave cross, has been damaged before the proper period of remembrance has passed.

It usually appears as a gray raven with human eyes, although in some traditions it may also take the form of an old raven with faded feathers, a white beak, and a human gaze. It moves among the cemetery crosses, watching over the graves.

Unlike many cemetery spirits, the Kryzhatik is generally not hostile. It is said to attack only those who show disrespect for the dead, such as vandals who damage crosses or people who behave irreverently within the cemetery. It is also believed to drive away evil forces, including demons and drunken troublemakers who enter the graveyard.

According to Belarusian belief, the Kryzhatik is not afraid of holy places or the sign of the cross, since the cemetery itself is sacred ground. During the nights before Radunitsa, when many people visit the graves of their ancestors, its power is believed to become especially strong as it silently guards the cemetery and ensures that no harm comes to the resting place of the dead.

Sources

Bestiary.us. (n.d.). Kryzhatik. In New Bestiary: Encyclopedia of Imaginary Beings. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://www.bestiary.us/Kryzhatik

Lyadashtsik

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Tradition / Region: Belarusian Mythology
Alternative names: Lyadashtsik, Lyadashchik, Shevredz, Pusten
Category: Bat

The Myth

Lyadashtsik is an evil spirit from Belarusian folklore that is said to corrupt people. It is regarded as one of the most hostile spirits toward humans and is especially feared by women, as many illnesses and seizures affecting women were traditionally attributed to it.

The spirit was believed to attack by making people sick, driving them into madness, or causing them to transform into various animals. Those believed to have been afflicted by Lyadashtsik were sometimes described as foolish or half-witted.

Lyadashtsik was imagined as a hideous monster covered in red hair. It possessed wings, a single eye in the middle of its forehead, and was said to resemble a monstrous bat. In some traditions it was also described with the body of a frog and hairy wings.

The creature was known under different names in various parts of Belarus. In some districts it was called Shevredz, while in others it was known as Pusten. Folk sayings warned that a person who had dealings with Lyadashtsik had “Lyadashtsik’s eye,” meaning they had become mad or half-witted.

Sources

Bestiary.us. (n.d.). Lyadashtsik. In New Bestiary: Encyclopedia of Imaginary Beings. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://www.bestiary.us/Lyadashtsik

Vazila

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Tradition / Region: Belarusian Mythology
Alternative names: Vazil, Vasil, Bicychik, Basina, Visusnik, Kankach, Tabunnik, Talbunnik, Khlevnik, Xneyhik
Category: Horse

The Myth

Vazila is the patron spirit of horses in Belarusian folklore. Unlike the horse demon Kumelgan, Vazila appears in human form, but with the ears and hooves of a horse. He is said to live in horse stables and accompanies horses when they graze in distant meadows or remain outdoors overnight.

Belarusian tradition holds that Vazila protects horses from disease, seizures, wolves, and other wild predators. Shepherds and horse owners trusted him to watch over their animals, sometimes leaving horses to graze at night without a guard because they believed Vazila would protect the herd.

A common custom was to drive a pole into the ground at the grazing place and attach the skeleton of a horse’s head to it. This symbolic image was believed to invite Vazila’s protection and keep Kumelgan, the evil spirit of horses, away. Neither Kumelgan nor ordinary wolves were thought to approach a place guarded by Vazila.

Vazila was also believed to carry a special herb on his back, which he mixed into the horses’ feed during the night. This herb was said to strengthen the animals, making them healthy, strong, and tall. Some Belarusian farmers claimed to have found this mysterious herb in the manger and kept it for future use.

Many stories tell of fierce battles between Vazila and Kumelgan. During these struggles, people claimed they could hear loud thundering and stamping as the two spirits fought to protect or claim the horses. Because of his role as the guardian of horses, Vazila was highly respected throughout Belarus, and people invoked his name when seeking the safety and well-being of their animals.

Sources

Bestiary.us. (n.d.). Vazila. In New Bestiary: Encyclopedia of Imaginary Beings. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://www.bestiary.us/vazila

Kumelgan

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Tradition / Region: Belarusian Mythology
Alternative names: Kumelhan, Кумельган
Category: Horse

The Myth

Kumelgan is an evil spirit in Belarusian folklore that harms horses. It is described as a creature that combines the forms of a man and a horse, with the body and arms of a man covered in horsehair, the head of a horse, and hooves in place of hands and feet. It can walk either upright on two legs or on all fours like a horse.

The spirit is regarded as the enemy of Vazila, the protector of horses. Kumelgan’s purpose is to injure horses whenever Vazila is absent. It tortures horses, poisons their feed with harmful plants, and creeps into stables at night. Although it is considered too weak to overpower several horses at once, it attacks animals one by one, pressing them down until they collapse and die. Farmers believed that if several people entered a stable where strange noises had been heard, Kumelgan would immediately flee.

When horses grazed without Vazila’s protection, Kumelgan was said to lead them deep into the forest. It did not usually kill mares but abandoned them to become prey for wild beasts. The spirit could also change its appearance to resemble any horse it wished, allowing it to mingle unnoticed among a herd or even enter a stable disguised as one of the owner’s own horses.

According to the account, the name Kumelgan derives from words meaning “hind part of an animal’s body” or “to walk on hind legs,” referring to the creature’s unusual appearance and manner of movement.

Sources

Bestiary.us. (n.d.). Kumelgan. In New Bestiary: Encyclopedia of Imaginary Beings. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://www.bestiary.us/kumelgan/en

Skarbnik

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Tradition / Region: Polish Mythology, Ukranian Mythology, Belarusian Mythology
Alternate Names: Kladenets; Dzedka
Category: Cave dweller

The Myth

Deep beneath the earth, in the winding tunnels of mines and forgotten shafts, dwells the Skarbnik—the Treasurer of the underworld. He is the unseen guardian of gems, crystals, and precious metals, watching over the hidden wealth buried in stone.

Miners speak of him in hushed voices. To those who work honestly and show respect, Skarbnik is a silent protector. When tunnels groan and timbers strain, he may guide a worthy miner away from danger. When a man loses his path in the dark labyrinth underground, a whisper, a faint glow, or the echo of a step may lead him safely back. At times, Skarbnik rewards diligence by revealing a rich vein of ore, leading the faithful straight to silver, coal, or gold.

But Skarbnik is not gentle with the wicked.

Those who curse in the tunnels, mock the spirit, or treat the mine with arrogance soon feel his wrath. It is forbidden to whistle underground, to hurl stones in anger, or to cover one’s head in disrespect. Such acts insult the Treasurer. First comes a warning—a sudden shower of loose soil striking the offender, small clods thrown from unseen hands. If the warning is ignored, harsher punishment follows. Tunnels collapse without mercy. Dark chasms open beneath careless feet. Stones fall from above with deadly aim.

To the greedy and cruel, Skarbnik is a relentless judge. To the humble and respectful, he is a guardian and guide.

Thus the miners say that no one truly works alone beneath the earth. The Treasurer watches always, weighing the hearts of men as carefully as the ore they seek.

Sources

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Karzełek. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 13, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karze%C5%82ek

Dzedka

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Tradition / Region: Belarusian mythology
Alternate Names: Kladenets (Russian), Skarbnik (Polish)
Category: Gnome, Spirit

The Myth

Dzedka appears in the world as an old, humble man. He walks slowly along roads, across fields, and through the quiet edges of villages. His beard is long and red, his eyes glow faintly red as well, and his clothes are plain and worn. With his sack over his shoulder, he looks no different from a poor beggar, and many pass him without a second glance.

Yet to meet Dzedka is never accidental.

When a person comes close to him without realizing who he is, a strange drowsiness falls over them. Their legs grow heavy, their thoughts blur, and they sink into sleep right there by the roadside or in the grass. While they sleep, Dzedka opens his bag and leaves behind a gift.

When the sleeper awakens, Dzedka is gone. In his place lies a sum of money—sometimes small, sometimes exactly what the person secretly needed. It is said that this money brings no curse or misfortune, only relief and opportunity.

For those who are already wealthy but unhappy, Dzedka’s gift is different. Instead of money, he grants a dream. In that dream, he shows them what is missing from their lives and what they must change to find true happiness. When they wake, the knowledge remains clear in their mind, like advice given by a wise elder.

Dzedka never demands gratitude, offerings, or prayers. He gives silently and disappears, leaving only fortune, insight, and the sense that kindness may walk the world disguised as poverty.

Sources

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Dzedka. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dzedka

Beast of Sho

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Tradition / Region: Belarusian mythology
Alternate Names: —
Category: Cow

The Myth

In the village of Sho, people spoke in hushed voices of a terrifying being that was not a tale for children, but something seen with waking eyes. They said it appeared as a flying calf, malformed and unnatural, with a huge swollen head, no horns, and a shape that filled those who saw it with dread.

One woman told how her sister feared a certain barn where a man had once hanged himself. A cow was kept there, and each morning she brought hay in a basket, turning on the light and placing the feed carefully, yet she refused to climb into the hayloft itself.

One winter morning, as she stood outside, she heard footsteps. A door on the sloping side of the barn slowly began to open. At first it was only a crack. They owned a small black dog named Filka, and she wondered if it might be him, though she knew he could not open the door.

Suddenly the door flew wide and slammed against the wall.

Something burst out—but it was no dog.

It was as large as a calf. In the snow she saw it clearly: a massive head, a short thick neck, legs that looked as though they wore boots, and a long tail bent upward at the end. The creature ran past the hut and along the path. It did not go into the cellar. Instead, it rose into the air and flew away, its long tail dragging across the snow until it vanished.

The woman swore she had seen it plainly and had been frozen with terror. Others dismissed her words, saying such things could not exist. But in Sho, the story endured, and the memory of the flying calf lingered like a shadow over the barn and the snow-covered path where it had passed.

Sources

Bestiary.us. (n.d.). Chudovishche s Sho (Beast of Sho), from https://www.bestiary.us/chudovishche-s-sho

Lobach, U. A. (Ed.). (2011). Полацкі этнаграфічны зборнік. Вып. 2, Ч. 1: Народная проза беларусаў Падзвіння [Polatsk Ethnographic Collection. Vol. 2, Pt. 1: Folk Prose of the Belarusans of Padzvinnie]. Новаполацк: ПДУ. p. 89-90.