Folk Demonology of the Czechs (Ethnolinguistic Aspect)

Abstract

The article gives an ethnolinguistic overview of the Czech-Moravian-Silesian system of demonological characters, including their dialect names, accompanied, if necessary, by an etymological comment. The article characterizes (first of all, functionally), natural demons (divoženki, hejkadla and other forest spirits; field spirits – režná žena, žitná baba, pražnec, etc.; atmospheric dragons and warlocks, spirits of the wind; water demon vodník or hastrman; poludnice, nočnice, klekanice and other spirits of time; spirits of mountains and earth), household spirits-patrons, including the snake-gospodáříček, and demons-enrichers – šotek, skřítek, plivník, zmok, etc.;giants and gnomes; maiden of fate sudička, werewolf, můra, wandering souls of unbaptized children and sinners expiating their sins in the form of wandering lights, «fears» and other ghosts, personified diseases and Death, devil. Witches that harm and send damage and the evil eye, and healers, removing damage and treating various diseases are also investigated. The review of demonic characters demonstrate the Czech-Moravian tradition in its entity, it will also be useful for comparative studies of Slavic lower mythology.