Polish Mythology

Krepel

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Tradition: Polish Mythology
Alternative Names: Bytom Dragon, Smok Bytomski, Bytōmski Smok
Category: Dragon

The Myth

Krepel was a dragon said to live in the forests surrounding the early settlement of Bytom in Upper Silesia. Unlike many Polish dragons, he was not a cruel beast that preyed upon the local people, but a remarkably well-mannered creature who guarded a great treasure.

In the days when Bytom was still a small settlement on St. Margaret’s Hill, surrounded by dense and seemingly impenetrable forests, stories spread among the elders of a dragon protecting hidden riches. A young farmhand, tempted by the promise of treasure, decided to venture into the wilderness and claim it for himself.

As he approached the dragon’s territory, he passed through scorched fields and forests littered with fallen trees. The remains of knights’ armor lay scattered about, convincing him that he had finally reached the lair of the beast. He soon discovered a grotto and gripped his club, preparing himself for a battle.

But before he could enter, a voice came from inside the grotto. The dragon asked why the young man wished to begin such an unequal fight when Krepel had done him no harm. Instead of attacking him, the dragon invited him into his home and even offered him some of its treasure. There was only one problem: the grotto was too small, so the dragon asked the farmhand to go to its second residence while it went ahead to put the kettle on.

The farmhand accepted the strange invitation rather than fighting. He followed Krepel to the dragon’s other residence, where the two spent time together peacefully. Krepel kept his promise and gave the young man some of his treasure.

With his newfound wealth, the farmhand later bought a tenement in Bytom and placed an image of Krepel there in honor of the dragon who had become his friend.

Sources

“Krepel (mythology).” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed September 26, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krepel_(mythology)

Żyrownik

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Tradition: Polish Mythology
Alternative Names: Żyrownik, Zhyrownik
Category: Demon

The Myth

Żyrownik is a fat, obese demon that lives in household pantries and chambers.

When properly treated and fed, usually with fresh cow’s milk, Żyrownik helps increase the household’s supply of food and protects the home from evil spirits. Once a year, the household holds a symbolic feast for him as thanks for his protection.

If the household neglects or mistreats Żyrownik, he does not take revenge. Instead, hunger leaves him too weak to protect the house. Hostile demons, including the devil, can then enter the household.

Sources

“Żyrownik.” Wikipedia, wolna encyklopedia (Polish Wikipedia). Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed September 12, 2026. https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%BByrownik

Bobak

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Tradition: Polish Mythology
Alternative Names: Bobak, Bobaki
Category: Demon

The Myth

Bobak is a demonic creature found in several forms in Slavic folklore. In some traditions, it is a bogeyman of unspecified appearance, while in others it can take the form of a white dog or a cat.

In southeastern Łódź, Bobak was associated with the odmieniec, a demonic changeling believed to be a human child replaced by the demoness Boginka-Mamuna. Unlike an ordinary child, the demonic child was quiet, barely moved, and showed no appetite while other members of the household were present.

When left alone in the house, however, the Bobak became voracious and was also fond of alcohol. If the demonic child survived into adulthood, it was said to become disabled and distrustful of people, although this was uncommon because Bobaks generally died during infancy.

In the Wieluń region, Bobaks were instead described as mischievous dwarves. In the region of Kutno, they were believed to be small devils or demonic children.

Sources

“Bobak (Slavic demon).” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed September 10, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobak_(Slavic_demon)

Błędnica

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Tradition: Polish Mythology
Alternative Names: Błędnica
Category: Demon

The Myth

Błędnica is a forest demoness who appears most often as a young and beautiful girl. She inhabits the forest and leads people astray, causing them to become lost deep among the trees.

Those who fall under Błędnica’s influence are led farther and farther into the forest until they are completely lost. The demoness then abandons them in the wilderness, where they may eventually die from starvation or be eaten by wild animals.

Błędnica could be driven away through powerful spells or by making a sacrifice. Such offerings could be made at home or during a hunt in an attempt to protect people from the demoness.

Sources

“Błędnica (Slavic demoness).” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed September 10, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C5%82%C4%99dnica_(Slavic_demoness)

Bies

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Tradition: Bosnian mythology, Croatian Mythology, Russian Mythology, Ukranian Mythology, Polish Mythology
Alternative Names: Bies, Bes, Bijes, Bisy, Chort, Czort
Category: Demon

The Myth

Bies is an evil spirit or demon in Slavic mythology. The word bies is associated with an evil supernatural being and, following the Christianization of Slavic peoples, became closely identified with the Devil and with the demon known as Chort or Czort.

In Christian-influenced tradition, Bies came to represent the Devil or other demonic beings. The plural biesy was used in Russian translations of the New Testament for the devils that possessed the swine in the Gospel of Mark. Related Slavic words also developed meanings associated with madness and uncontrolled behavior. In Slovenian, Croatian, and Serbian, the related forms bes and bijes mean “rage” or “fury.”

A separate being called bès is found among the Jah Hut people of Malaysia. These bès are dangerous spirits inhabiting the jungle. They can attack people and cause illness through spirit possession.

The Jah Hut can attempt to tame and contain a bès by carving a small wooden figure called a sepili, representing the particular spirit causing trouble. If the spirit approves of the figure, it may enter it, allowing the people to trap the spirit inside through a special ritual. The sepili must then be taken far away from the village because the bès may become angry when it eventually escapes. Traditionally, the figures were buried deep in the jungle.

Sources

“Bies.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed September 10, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bies

Bieda

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Tradition: Polish Mythology
Alternative Names: Bieda
Category: Demon

The Myth

Bieda is an immortal demon who brings poverty, hardship, worries, and misfortune upon people. She appears as a thin, emaciated woman who drains the vital strength from those she afflicts.

Bieda can also enter and become an ordinary object, such as a piece of wood. Once misfortune has taken this form, the best way to get rid of it is to pass the object on to an enemy.

Sources

“Bieda (demon).” Wikipedia, wolna encyklopedia (Polish Wikipedia). Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed September 9, 2026. https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bieda_(demon)

Rokita

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Tradition: Polish Mythology
Alternative Names: Rokita
Category: Demon

The Myth

Rokita is a demon said to inhabit the gateways to the underworld.

He is associated with wild and isolated places, particularly wetlands and forests. Rokita is also said to dwell inside old willow trees, making these trees another place where the demon may be encountered.

His domains therefore lie between the human world and the underworld: the wetlands, forests, and ancient willows that conceal the entrances to the realm of the dead.

Sources

“Rokita (folklore).” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed September 9, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rokita_(folklore)

Poroniec

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Tradition: Polish Mythology
Alternative Names: Poroniec
Category: Demon

The Myth

Poroniec is a malicious and hostile demon believed to arise from the soul of a miscarried child or aborted fetus. The same fate could befall a child who was stillborn, died, or was killed by its mother shortly after birth and was not buried according to traditional customs.

Poroniec was considered an especially powerful demon because it possessed the potential of a life that had never been fulfilled.

Beliefs about Poroniec were connected with numerous taboos surrounding pregnant women, mothers, and newborn children. Pregnant women were forbidden from looking into wells or drawing water from them. Women with newborns were forbidden from leaving the house with the child, particularly going out into the fields, and sexual intercourse was also prohibited.

Newborn children were subjected to protective magical practices. One such practice involved wiping the baby with a bunch of straw. The mother was traditionally kept inside for the first six weeks after childbirth. Only after this period was she taken outside, while the child was considered fully human and given a name.

There was also a belief that a miscarried child buried beneath the threshold of a house as a foundation offering could instead become a favorable Kłobuk. In this way, it would not become a Poroniec.

Sources

“Poroniec (demon).” Wikipedia, wolna encyklopedia (Polish Wikipedia). Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed September 9, 2026. https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poroniec_(demon)

Habernitsa

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Tradition: Russian Mythology, Polish Mythology
Alternative Names: Chabernica, Habernitsa, Cornflower Wraith, Lady Cornflower, Cornflower Witch
Category: Demon

The Myth

Habernitsa is a noon demon who appears as a young, slender woman dressed in azure, with cornflowers woven into her hair. She wanders along the boundaries of fields at midday.

She becomes angry with people who trample the grain or work with sharp tools in the fields at noon. Those she considers deserving of punishment are put to sleep by her whisper.

Once they have fallen asleep, Habernitsa causes them terrible pain and injuries. She can inflict headaches, paralysis, and severe pain in the lower back. In some cases, she attacks more violently, breaking the victim’s arms, legs, or neck.

To avoid Habernitsa’s wrath, field workers must stop working and take a break at midday, at the time of the Angelus.

Sources

“Cornflower Wraith (Habernitsa).” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed September 9, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornflower_Wraith

Zubro

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Tradition: Czech Mythology, Polish Mythology
Alternative Names: Zubro
Category: Cow

The Myth

Most Zubros are said to live in Bohemia, though they are also found in Poland, where they are believed to be smaller and less powerful. Wherever it appears, the Zubro is known as a terrifying kind of wild bull.

The Zubro is described as an enormous beast, reaching up to fifteen meters in length. Its hide is marked with dark brown and black coloring, and its horns can grow to a length of one and a half meters. The animal is swift and aggressive, and it can easily be driven into a state of uncontrollable fury.

When people attempt to hunt the Zubro, it does not flee helplessly. Instead, it defends itself with frightening intelligence. It blinds pursuing dogs by throwing its own dung at them. If it manages to seize a dog or a human, it hurls the victim into the air with its horns and catches them again as they fall, repeating this until the victim is dead.

Yet even such a creature can be defeated by cunning rather than strength. A skilled hunter first wears the Zubro down by driving it relentlessly with dogs. Once the animal is exhausted, the hunter positions himself beneath a tree with his spear. The enraged Zubro charges straight toward him, but the hunter hides behind the trunk. The beast thrusts its horns past the tree on both sides, and in that moment the hunter steps forward and kills it with a single thrust.

Sources

Van Maerlant, J. (2024). Der Naturen Bloeme (I. Biesheuvel, Trans.), p.74.