Tradition / Region: Polish Mythology
Alternative names: —
Category: Cat

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The Myth

Koszki are malicious creatures that resemble ordinary cats at first glance. Their bodies are covered in thick, dark fur, with pointed ears, long tails, and loud meows.

Anyone who unknowingly allows one into the house is said to suffer a terrible fate. The monsters steal healthy infants from their cradles and leave behind their own hideous, emaciated offspring in their place, as if mocking the family.

For this reason, people were warned to watch every cat that entered the home, especially black cats. If a cat’s face appeared old and disturbingly human instead of feline, and if its paws looked like grasping, bony human hands rather than claws, it was no ordinary animal but a Koszek.

The proper response was to seize a sturdy wooden club and beat the demonic creature until it fled or was destroyed.

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Sources

Zych, Paweł, and Witold Vargas. Bestiariusz słowiański. Część pierwsza i druga. Warsaw: Bosz, 2017.

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Tradition / Region: Polish Mythology, Lithuanian Mythology
Alternative names: None known
Category: Cat

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The Myth

The Chochlik is a malicious or mischievous household spirit that takes the form of a cat. It dwells in the pantry, where it serves as its guardian.

According to the tradition recorded by Bronisław Trentowski and Joachim Szyc, the Chochlik watches over the household stores. However, it is quick to anger. When offended, it becomes destructive, overturning furniture, breaking household objects, and ravaging the family’s food supplies.

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Sources

“Chochlik (istota).” Wikipedia, wolna encyklopedia (Polish Wikipedia). Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed July 28, 2026. https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chochlik_(istota)

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Tradition / Region: Polish Mythology
Alternative names: Owinnik
Category: Cat

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The Myth

The Gumiennik appears as a small old man with long hair, a beard, and a mustache. It can bark like a dog and has the ability to transform into a cat.

The Gumiennik dwells in the threshing floor or barn, where it guards stored grain from fire, thieves, and pests. Although protective by nature, it is easily offended. Ignoring the spirit, threshing grain during strong winds, or working on holidays could anger it. When enraged, the Gumiennik would spoil the stored grain or set it ablaze.

To ensure its goodwill, people offered the Gumiennik the first dish of the year prepared from the harvested grain.

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Sources

“Gumiennik.” Wikipedia, wolna encyklopedia (Polish Wikipedia). Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed July 28, 2026. https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gumiennik

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Tradition / Region: Polish Mythology
Alternative names: Hurbusz
Category: Cat

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The Myth

The Hurbóż is a demonic creature that resembles a cat. It attacks people by silently creeping onto them and strangling them with its soft paws. It is regarded as a type of nightmare demon that strikes its victims during sleep. Besides tormenting humans, the Hurbóż is also said to tease horses by tangling and knotting their manes during the night.

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Sources

“Hurbóż.” Wikipedia, wolna encyklopedia (Polish Wikipedia). Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed July 28, 2026. https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurb%C3%B3%C5%BC

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