Rusalka: The Slavic Nymph | Slavic Mythology (3)

In Slavic folklore and mythology, Rusalka is a female entity that often holds malicious inclinations towards people and is predominantly associated with water. On the other hand, in Slavic paganism, they were seen as benevolent spirits that guided the hero. Rusalki were also believed to represent universal beauty which made them feared and respected in the Slavic culture. According to some sources, rusalki were the daughters of Veles. According to Slavic stories, the Soul of a dead woman whose life ended near the lake or river would come back to haunt those waters. This undead Rusalka isn’t purely evil and would be allowed to die if her death was avenged. Her malevolent role was to lure young men by seducing them with her voice or looks. After they were seduced the Rusalka would entangle their feet with her long her and submerge them into the depths of water or the so-called unconscious. In some instances, it was mentioned that the Rusalka would tickle her prey to death as she laughed at it. On another account, the prey would die from being forced into a frenzied dance. On the Rusalka Week or the Mermaid week, boys would try to put flowered wreaths on girls and girls would try to tickle the said boys in the same way the Rusalka would to lure young men. Rusalki were believed to live in water or on land and trees. They were believed to be half women – half fish or half women – half birds. Their connections to the sirens and harpies are apparent. If we look at them from a depth psychology standpoint rusalki represent the unconscious forces that are in a struggle to become conscious and integrated. Here we can see that the connection with the Jungian Anima archetype is apparent. This analogy will become clearer as we uncover the myth behind these feminine entities in the video below. #Rusalka #SlavicMythology #Mythology Sources: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~ The Mythology of All Races. Volume III. Celtic. Slavic by Macculloch J.A., Machal J. ~ Mother Russia: The Feminine Myth in Russian Culture by Joanna Hubbs ~ Russian Folk Belief by Linda J. Ivanits ~ “Rusalka“ - Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine, Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies. University of Toronto Press. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here at HermesHub, we share a wide range of interests ranging from mythology and history to psychology and philosophy, while having a great time at gaming. I’m quite open to new experiences and your suggestions on what kind of videos I should make. If you have enjoyed this video, please leave a like as it helps a lot. ► Become a Patron: ► Want to learn more about mythology? ► Follow me on Instagram: ► Join the Discord server: ► Check out my Twitch: ► Follow me on Twitter: ► Like the FB page: Credits: Music: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ean Grimm – Celtic music bundle -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------