Myths and legends around the world tell of incredible creatures with amazing abilities and divine providence. Who were these creatures and why were they important to our ancestors?
There are many mythological creatures and mysterious ancient habitats in history. Historians, archaeologists and scientists were able to confirm the validity of some of the ancient legends, but so far many mythological personalities are shrouded in an impenetrable canopy of secrecy.
We have no doubt that many of the now mystical creatures from legends are of great cultural and historical importance for people. And one such intriguing personality of history and the magical world of mythology is Leshy.
Leshy: defender of forestry in Slavic beliefs
The forest is a special place where over time one's own "I" ceases to have any meaning. It just doesn't exist here. Each forest has its own guard and protector. In Slavic mythology, this creature is best known as Leshy.
According to the legends of the early Slavs, especially those who live in heavily wooded areas, the goblin was a masculine, mortal humanoid creature. A strict owner of forest land, he could punish for killing an animal from his own herd, if a person did not ask permission ahead of time.
According to fairy tales from grandmothers, the forest lord is seen by us as the ruler of the forest and wildlife. He was successful in hunting, but also took care of domestic animals, and even helped the poor. Leshy is painted in clothes made of animal skins, or in a camouflage "dress" of leaves and branches, often wearing human clothes.
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All plants, fruits and animals belong to the forest ruler. Each forest had its own guard, and the Leshy took his incredible strength from the trees. A strong forest endowed the defender with more strength than the weaker one. At the same time, Leshy himself, taking care of forestry, "raised" the strength of his forest.
Many Slavic tales mention people who encountered Leshim in the forest. Often, the result of this meeting depended on the person himself - whether a bad thought lies on his conscience or not. Human memory keeps many terrible stories, when a person, having entered a seemingly small forest, never left it.
Some admirers of ancient legends associate the goblin with the earthly materialization of the god Veles, the god of cattle and wild animals, while others considered the Leshy a servant of Veles. A strange, even mystical creature possessed magical technologies: it could easily change the volume of its body, size and height.
Few people have met the mysterious forest dweller, although his powerful laughter or singing was clearly audible. Nevertheless, on those rare occasions of meeting, the goblin was easily recognized: a very tall man with an unnaturally white face, whose hair resembled pine needles and whose skin looked like tree bark.
A slightly pointed head, a face without eyebrows and eyelashes, and for some reason without a right ear, or even one-eyed at all, is of course a frightening creature of an otherworldly nature. Nevertheless, despite the terrible image, the grandfather the forest man in the past was, though a great prankster, but still a kind soul.
Goblin, evil spirit from the forest
Again: maybe the general decay of old traditions is to blame here, intensified by malignant human activity in the forest. However, for the last couple of centuries, Leshy appears in the guise of an evil spirit, possessing paranormal abilities and able to see the future. In addition, one hooking around with evil spirits.
Throughout mythology, the goblin is described as a creature of an otherworldly nature. He has phenomenal strength and does not cast a shadow. He knows how to become invisible and turn the terrifying wind.
Goblin is more of a loner living in the forest, a lover of pranks and pampering, spending time with a wolf and a bear (the woodsman is a well-known lover of poking around - drinking and playing cards). Although in some chapters of the story, it is described how the goblin got a family (the spouse is a goblin, and they had children).
Strict and fair, zealous guardian of forestry, he can come to the aid of a person in difficult times - to take him out of the forest, urging him to move on his own voice. And the forester himself can accept help from a person, be sure to reward him generously.
But if you make him angry and offend … don't ask for mercy!
A person who has angered the goblin will see him with his own eyes, but not that handsome grandfather with a beard, but a monster of the most nightmarish visions! It will be a giant with a face and clothes covered with green moss, green eyes and a green beard. He will drive the offender through the forest and lash with branches, whirl on the spot and lead him into the quagmires - to the thunderous laughter of revenge.
Recently, it is believed that the goblin have died out or gone somewhere, as if our civilizations did not get along. Perhaps this is just an old mythology, but for our ancestors, the forest was almost a sacred sphere with its inhabitants. Perhaps for many of us this special place is sacred even today, because its history is much longer than human history.