User:Bezimenen/Mythological entities within Bulgarian folklore

Mythological entities in Bulgarian folklore

Concepts and motives

 * = : genus, inception
 * ⇒ cosmogonism
 * ⇒ cosmogonism


 * : ultimate rule
 * Compare, , , (non-ultimate rules or pledges).
 * Remark: Transgression from the law causes, (@ К. Михайлова (1991): "За някои морални норми в славянския фолклор", in Проблеми на българския фолклор Т.8)


 * ⇒, : commonly associated implementations of the divine


 * (determinative) → (conceptual/regarded) →  (volitional)...
 * ▷ dialectics between preset and potential (ex. "История за бедата и работата")
 * + cf. Zoroastrian Mazda (“wisdom”); Daostic Tao (“natural way”); etc.
 * ▷ proper demeaner in face of hardship (ех. "Приказка за Неволята")
 * + cf. Stoic eudaimonia (“good behaviour”)
 * ▷ origin and function of the soul (probably Christian motive?)

Popular motives:
 * absolute vs relative
 * duality, trinity, division...
 * dialectics = from dichotomy to resolution (ех. "Легенда за Господ и Дявола")
 * natural law → ,
 * constitution

Agents

 * , : deity, positive transcendental entity or force = creator/distributor of wealth?
 * < 🇨🇬,, possibly of Iranian origin (cf. 🇨🇬 → Vedic Bhaga).


 * , : demon, negative transcendental entity or force = causer/spreader of hardship?
 * < 🇨🇬,, substantivation of adj. (in Bulg. preserved with the meaning “wicked”). Similar to East Slavic.


 * , : antagonistic transcendental entity or force = contrast to natural, familiar things
 * < 🇨🇬,, either substantivization of adj. or of Iranian origin (cf. 🇨🇬 → Zoroastr. Daeva). Likely akin to ,.
 * Remark: Homophonous with folklore/colloquial, < Turkish, of Persian origin.


 * : devil; epithetically also called Куция (the Crippled), Лукавия (the Cunning), Антихрист (antipode of Christ), et al.
 * < non-native, borrowed with the spread of Christianity from 🇨🇬.
 * cf. 🇨🇬

Supernatural humans
Heroic class (draft):
 * , : hero, brave person
 * ,, : great warrior, champion

---

Artisan class:
 * ,, , : witch (f), witcher (m) wiseful fabulous person; in negative context: hag, crone.
 * < 🇨🇬; + //, related to the word for awareness, knowledge / unawareness ( / ) and proficiency . Akin with 🇨🇬.


 * , : sorceror, wizard
 * < 🇨🇬, akin to the word for magic trick and conjuror . In modern times, meaning has degraded to mean rogue, fraudster.


 * , : mage
 * < 🇨🇬 (literally: charm-doer), equivalent to.


 * , dial. : witchdoctor
 * < 🇨🇬, + . Nowadays, with obsolete usage. In the past, referring to people (sometimes with supernatural abilities) who treat sick or mentally unstable people with amulets, charms, and often natural medicines. Predecessors of modern medics (лекар, лечител, церител).


 * , (dial. ): enchanter (m), enchantress (f)
 * < 🇨🇬 (+ for fem. forms), from . Presumably, capable of identifying and removing hexes (уроки), curses (проклятия) and bad luck (прокоба) by chanting divinations and prayers. Somewhat similar to знахар, бахар with the difference that the later are more prone to use amulets or actual medicines rather than spells.


 * , : warlock, shaman; equivalent to East Slavic (< 🇨🇬).
 * < 🇨🇬 (+ for fem. forms). In modern times, the meaning has degraded to imply “fortune-teller”.


 * , : fortune-teller
 * < 🇨🇬 (+ for fem. forms), from . In the past, having status closer to prophets, but nowadays generally perceived as hoaxers. Within mythology, believed to have received "divine sight" (e.g. after being hit by a lightning or sleeping under sacred tree).


 * , : clairvoyant


 * , ; : prophet, mentor wise person who serves as a forecaster for events to come or an adviser for things to do
 * < 🇨🇬, ; respectively 🇨🇬.


 * ,, , ,  : cummer; similar to Greek Mœra.
 * <, arch. , , , dial. +

Demihumans

 * : dwarf. In some founding myths, believed to form the first generation of demihumans that preceeds giants and normal humans.
 * < 🇨🇬, of Persian origin.


 * ,, : giant, colossus. In some founding myths, beleived to form a primordial generation of demihumans that predates normal humans.
 * <, , +  (same suffix as in , )


 * : large, robust, sturdy person/demihuman; usually dwelling in mountains and forests.
 * < 🇨🇬; per Vasmer, from the name of the Scythian tribe Spalaei (allegedly a branch of the Royal Scythians, according to contemporary Graeco-Roman sources).


 * : mythological person; within Biblical tradition, believed to be the first generation of humans that God created.
 * < 🇨🇬 or 🇨🇬 (possibly contamination of the two).


 * ,, : mythical people based on the historical Romans, Greeks, Celts, and Goths, who had ruled the Balkans and the Pontic steppes before the arrival of Slavs and Oghurs (who eventually formed the modern Bulgarian nation).

Humanoids

 * : generic fabulous creature which appears in fables. Used as an example for children to learn from. Typically, depicted as an old man or a wise mythical beast.
 * < perhaps from, akin to , or a borrowing.


 * , : benevolent eudaemon that helps chasing evil, probably whence 🇨🇬 and 🇨🇬
 * < probably 🇨🇬, akin to 🇨🇬, 🇨🇬


 * : vengeful imp/satyr (or nature spirit in general), which brings evil and curses to those who anger it; corresponds to 🇨🇬


 * , : demonic being, troll
 * < borrowed from < 🇨🇬.


 * , : gnome-like creature similar to boggarts; corresponds to.
 * < probably 🇨🇬 + + /


 * ,  : cacodemon, goblin that brings diseases to likestock and harvest
 * < perhaps from 🇨🇬 akin to, or related to the name of St. Martin. Believed to appear during the мратинци days around Martinmas (11 Nov), similar to Halloween in Western folklore.


 * ,, : equivalent to 🇨🇬, 🇨🇬
 * < Greek/Ottoman Turkish, in some dialects dialects reinterpreted as . Possibly influenced by 🇨🇬 (also 🇨🇬 by itself figuratively means wicked, evil).


 * , : demon or puck with features of poltergeist
 * < 🇨🇬 via Ottoman Turkish..


 * : bogeyman
 * < . Akin to the endonym.

Beastoids

 * ,, : werewolf, lycanthrope (wolf-shapeshifter) with attributes of revenant (similar to вампир).
 * < 🇨🇬, perhaps a compound of . A reflex is attested in toponyms.


 * , dial. : vampire (bat-shapeshifter) with attributes of revenant (similar to върколак).
 * < 🇨🇬, contaminated/reshaped in some dialects with forms akin to 🇨🇬 (due to bats' abity to hang onto surfaces). Native reflexes (nowadays dialectal or archaic) include, , , while the standard вампир has spread from a Western language in recent times. Functionally, has merged with creatures such as , (of Greek origin).


 * : similar to вампир and устрел
 * < Unclear. BER compares with it, formally resembles , . May be related to 🇨🇬, cf. 🇨🇬.


 * : bloodsucker (similar to вампир)
 * < 🇨🇬, akin to the word for arrow . Outside of folklore, could mean paralysis.


 * : strix, screecher with attributes of undead = forest-dwelling ghoul or canine creature which evokes danger onto travellers.
 * < (formally from an earlier ), akin to 🇨🇬,.


 * : analogous to дракавец
 * < (formally from an earlier ), most likely of onomatopoeic origin. Similar to 🇨🇬. Outside of folklore, occassionally used as an epithet for eagle owl (standard, ).


 * ,, dial. : cynocephalus
 * <, . Possibly.


 * : nymph, naiad (insectoid-human hybrid) or mermaid (fish-woman hybrid).
 * <, named after the belief that русалки appear during the last day of Roses' festival (the week after the Day of Jesus' Ascension). According to some myths, originate from the pledged soul of a drowned or strangled young woman.


 * : feisty nature spirit, druidess, in some myths depicted as a lynx-woman hybrid; natural enemy of вампири, върколаци.
 * < borrowed from 🇨🇬. Within folklore, refers to a sinister, vengeful version of русалка. Possibly (per Vasmer) a metathized version of 🇨🇬, whence dial. 🇨🇬.

Monsters

 * : (general type) monster fabulous supernatural being.


 * ,, : terrible monster horrifying or menacing supernatural being


 * ,, : dreadful monster repulsive, disgusting supernatural being


 * (dial. ), /: wyvern, dragon serpentine monster
 * < 🇨🇬, akin to the word for snake (🇨🇬). In modern times, intermingled with the creature (Greek borrowing).


 * (dial., ): man-eating monster (typically dragon, sometimes ichthyoid or humanoid)


 * , : snail-like, leech-like, or arthropod-like monster, which is believed to evoke malice by snorting/screeching. Resembles Hellenic siren, gorgon.
 * < perhaps from 🇨🇬 or directly from 🇨🇬. Found also in 🇨🇬, 🇨🇬, 🇨🇬.


 * (more recently ): unicorn
 * < 🇨🇬, morphologically from . Perhaps a medieval.


 * : phoenix (manifistation of the sun)

Undead

 * : undead, pledged soul
 * < 🇨🇬, morphologically formed as . Principally means abiotic.


 * (usually in pl.),, : undead, wight animated corpse devoid of soul or wraith, spectre, poltergeist (of unbaptized children).
 * < 🇨🇬, possibly akin to the word for need.


 * , : revenant with attributes of screecher = undead animal corpse or ghoul of dead animal (typically sheep).
 * < perhaps 🇨🇬 + / via dialectal narrowing of unstressed *ě - ě́ > i - é.


 * : incarnant spirit of dead person which incarnates into the body of an animal while it comes near their corpse
 * <, akin to the word for incarnation.

Fairies

 * , : nature spirit, nymph; usually depicted as a young maiden.
 * < 🇨🇬, likely akin to the words for daemon (🇨🇬, ).


 * , : sylph
 * < 🇨🇬, perhaps from the same root as 🇨🇬, . Outside of folklore, could mean “gale, whirlwind, burst of air”. Originally may have meant “unrest, perturbance”, akin to 🇨🇬.


 * , : malevolent fairy
 * < 🇨🇬, likely cognate to 🇨🇬, 🇨🇬. Possibly further related to the word for youth (🇨🇬).


 * ,, : death spirit, wraith, nightmare (similar to явина) or spectre of young woman.
 * < 🇨🇬,, akin to the word for death and physical exhaustion.


 * : night spirit, nyx.
 * < probably or alternatively from.


 * , : chaos spirit personification of doom and disorder; similar to Greek ker
 * < either 🇨🇬 or, probably akin to the word for high wave, disturbance , further 🇨🇬. May have been inspired by Scythian Amazons. In modern times, have been associated with (of Greek origin).

Guardians (draft)

 * (in 🇨🇬), (in 🇨🇬)
 * (in 🇨🇬), (in 🇨🇬)
 * (in 🇨🇬), (in 🇨🇬)
 * (in 🇨🇬), (in 🇨🇬)
 * (in 🇨🇬), (in 🇨🇬)
 * (in 🇨🇬), (in 🇨🇬)

Phantasma

 * : spirit, anima.
 * < 🇨🇬, akin to the word for breathe, aspiration , soul . Originally, meaning “gush of air, sprite” (attested in 🇨🇬).


 * : poltergeist, warden spirit, or "dragon-man" supernatural person or demon with ability to exude their spirit out of their body
 * < likely influenced by 🇨🇬, morphologically equivalent to . According to some interpretations (Skok, Jokl), the Serbo-Croatian term may be a folk reinterpration of dial. of Albanian origin (perhaps akin to Greek borrowing ). Some motifs of the creature's lore are also found in.


 * : evil spirit.
 * < 🇨🇬, possibly related to the word for misfortune, calamity . Standardly means rabies.


 * , привиде́ние: ghost, apparition, phantom.
 * < 🇨🇬, equivalent to ; 🇨🇬, equivalent to.


 * : shadow, manes, silhouette spirit of a dead person, which resides in the underworld.
 * < 🇨🇬. As a mythological entity, spread with the adoption of Christianity.


 * : presence, visitant supernatural entity that appears in dreams or manifests itself as an illusion


 * , : roamer, sinister roaming, harmful spirit.
 * < 🇨🇬 + /, akin to the word for delusion . Secondarily, means “immoral, unfaithful person → adulterer, rake” (meaning adapted from Russian).


 * : genie
 * < 🇨🇬 via Ottoman Turkish (whence also 🇨🇬). Possibly distantly related to 🇨🇬 (although a direct borrowing is not likely).

Phenomena

 * , dial. : tempest, gale supernatural being which controls the weather; bringer of hail, storms, whirlwinds; usually envisioned as a serpentine monster, a witch, or a phantasm.
 * < 🇨🇬 (limited to South Slavic), possibly from 🇨🇬. Outside of folklore, refers to tornado, twister (also called ).


 * : typhoon, strong wind (that brings devastation)


 * : fury, storm bringer of violent weather
 * < 🇨🇬. Nowadays, no longer associated with supernaturality.


 * : heavy precipitation, rainfall
 * < 🇨🇬. Nowadays obsolete. Within Christian tradition, one of the retributions spent by God to punish the greed of people during the Age of Noah.


 * : deluge, flood
 * < 🇨🇬, an action noun of . Perhaps entered native folklore from the Biblical tradition. Within Christian tradition, the ultimate the retribution spent by God to punish the greed of people during the Age of Noah (see Deluge in mythology).


 * : diabolic mist
 * < 🇨🇬. Perhaps influenced by toxic steams erupted from the ground. Sometimes, depicted as a swarm of ghosts or as a dim cloud.


 * , dial. : supernatural, uncontrollable force.
 * < pl. of 🇨🇬.


 * : rumble horrific roar which brings destruction and clamour


 * ,, , dial. : thunder, rumble, clap
 * < 🇨🇬,, , . Nowadays, no longer associated with supernaturality. Within folklore, usually casted by sentient beings such as гръмовержец or букач, rather than appearing on their own.


 * , dial. : lightning
 * < 🇨🇬. Nowadays, no longer associated with supernaturality. Outside of folklore, synonymous with,.


 * : earthquake
 * < . Nowadays, no longer associated with supernaturality.

Diseases and omens

 * : plague, pestilence (Black Death); occassionally personafied as an old woman or a ghoul.
 * < unclear; possibly borrowed from 🇨🇬 (of Greek origin), along with 🇨🇬. Cognate with 🇨🇬, 🇨🇬.


 * : contagious disease, epidemy.
 * < 🇨🇬 (limited to South Slavic), either of expressive origin or borrowed from 🇨🇬.


 * : contagious misfortune, ill fate (believed to be spread via contact with a cursed person)


 * , dial. : disease, convulsion, shivering cause of great suffering
 * < 🇨🇬, whence also the name of the mythological personage.


 * ,, , : heatstroke, seizure in livestock (believed to be caused by evil spirits; in reality caused by sudden changes in temperature)
 * < 🇨🇬 +, , . Akin to 🇨🇬, 🇨🇬, 🇨🇬.


 * , : spirit which visits pregnant women and may cause miscarriage if treated with ill intent.
 * < 🇨🇬, epithet of St. Mary.


 * : miasma invisible force causing disease
 * < 🇨🇬, from . Cognate with 🇨🇬, 🇨🇬. Outside of folklore, refers to pyorrhea type of gum disease.


 * : disability, physical impediment
 * < 🇨🇬, from.


 * (pl. of obsolete ), dial. : bad luck, bad omen, jinx
 * < 🇨🇬,, akin to the word for clause , term , lesson , speech . Basis for the verb 🇨🇬.


 * , : mysticism, jinx, omen

Mysteries and magic

 * : magic
 * < 🇨🇬. Basis for, whence also , ,


 * : sorcery, jinx
 * < 🇨🇬 + . Akin to,.


 * : incantation, charm
 * < 🇨🇬. Akin to,.


 * , arch. : miracle, wonder, marvel, mystery
 * < 🇨🇬, . Akin to


 * : evil spell, hex


 * ,, : delusion, hallucination
 * < 🇨🇬, action/resultant noun of . Akin to, and Russian borrowing.


 * ,, : illusion, deception, hoax
 * < 🇨🇬, action/resultant noun of.


 * : scare, shock, oblivion
 * < 🇨🇬. Akin to the word for mirage.


 * : bane cause of distress, anxiety, anger
 * < 🇨🇬, likely akin to 🇨🇬. Could refer to any kind of bane, be it supernatural and not.

Elementals (draft)

 * : nature
 * , : time, weather
 * , : fire, blaze
 * : water
 * →, (in 🇨🇬),
 * , dial. : earth
 * → ? (in principal, , but without mythological connotation)
 * : air
 * ,, dial. : light
 * , : darkness
 * : air
 * ,, dial. : light
 * , : darkness
 * , : darkness
 * , : darkness

Remark: In general, there is no particular mysticism related to the elements in Bulgarian folklore. They only serve supplementary function.