Lithuanian and Romanian Ghosts: Similarities and Differencies

Romanian:

The Solomonar or Șolomonar (German phonetization: Scholomonar) is a wizard believed, in Romanian folklore to ride a dragon (zmeu^[a] or a balaur) and control the weather, causing rain, thunder, or hailstorm.

Lithuanian:Perkūnas (Lithuanian: Perkūnas, Latvian: Pērkons, Old Prussian: Perkūns, Perkunos, Yotvingian: Parkuns) was the common Baltic god of thunder, second most important deity in the Baltic pantheon after Dievas. In both Lithuanian and Latvian mythology, he is documented as the god of sky, thunder, lightning, storms, rain, fire, war, law, order, fertility, mountains, and oak trees.

Romanian:Baubau – The Bogeyman (/ˈboʊɡimæn, ˈbʊɡi-/;^[1] also spelled boogeyman, bogyman, bogieman, boogie monster or boogie man) is a mythical creature used by adults to frighten children into good behaviour. The Bogeyman has no specific appearance, and conceptions vary drastically by household and culture, but is commonly depicted as a masculine or androgynous monster that punishes children for misbehavior.^[2] The Bogeyman or a somewhat related creature can be found in every culture, and is used for scaring children into good behavior. Bogeymen may target a specific act or general misbehaviour, depending on what purpose needs serving, often based on a warning from the child’s authority figure. The term “Bogeyman” is sometimes used as a non-specific personification or metonym for terror, and in some cases, the Devil.

Lithuanian: Baubas – The Bogeyman (/ˈboʊɡimæn, ˈbʊɡi-/;^[1] also spelled boogeyman, bogyman, bogieman, boogie monster or boogie man) is a mythical creature used by adults to frighten children into good behaviour. The Bogeyman has no specific appearance, and conceptions vary

drastically by household and culture, but is commonly depicted as a masculine or androgynous monster that punishes children for misbehavior.^[2] The Bogeyman or a somewhat related creature can be found in every culture, and is used for scaring children into good behavior. Bogeymen may target a specific act or general misbehaviour, depending on what purpose needs serving, often based on a warning from the child’s authority figure. The term “Bogeyman” is sometimes used as a non-cases, the Devil.^[3]

Lucifer (UK: /ˈluːsɪfər/ LOO-si-fər; US: /-sə-/; ‘light-bringer’) is a Latin name for the planet Venus in its morning appearances, and is often used for mythological and religious figures associated with the planet. Due to the unique movements and discontinuous appearances of Venus in the sky, mythology surrounding these figures often involved a fall from the heavens to earth or the underworld. Interpretations of a similar term in the Hebrew Bible, translated in the King James Version as “Lucifer”, led to a Christian tradition of applying the name Lucifer, and its associated stories of a fall from heaven, to Satan. Most modern scholarship regards these interpretations as questionable, and translates the term in the relevant Bible passage (Isaiah 14:12) as “morning star” or “shining one” rather than as a proper name, “Lucifer”.

Lithuanian:

Aušrinė (not to be confused with Aušra – dawn) is a feminine deity of the Morning Star (Venus) in the Lithuanian mythology. She is the antipode to “Vakarinė”, the Evening Star.

Her cult possibly stems from that of the Indo-European dawn goddess Hausos and is related to Latvian Auseklis, Greek Eos, Roman Aurora, and Vedic Ushas. Aušrinė is the goddess of beauty and youth. After the Christianization of Lithuania, the cult merged with Christian images and the symbolism of the Virgin Mary.

In Romanian folklore, Muma Pădurii (Romanian pronunciation: [ˈmuma pəˈdurij]) is an ugly and mischievous or mad old woman living in the forest (in the heart of the virgin forests, in a hut/cabin or an old tree). She is the opposite of fairies such as a “Fairy” Zână. She is also the protector of the animals and plants, brewing potions and helping injured animals. She cures the forest if it’s dying, and she keeps the unwanted trespassers away driving them mad and scaring them to flee.

She can be associated with witches (like the witch from the story of “Hansel and Gretel”), but she’s a neutral “creature”, harming only those who harm the forest.

Kupolė, the spirit of springtime vegetation and flowers. The Festival of Kupolė (Kupolinės) was associated with Feast of St. John the Baptist (Joninės). In this festival, women picked sacral herbs, danced and sang songs. Kupolinės is also known as Rasos. Compare this with Ziedu māte in Latvian mythology, Kupala in Polish mythology and Ivan Kupala in Russian mythology

Vântoase are creatures present in Romanian folklore, as a sort of female spirits (Iele). Popular beliefs describe them as capable of causing dust storms and powerful winds. They live in forests, in the air, in deep lakes, and use a special wagon for traveling. The Vântoase are also believed to be capable of attacking children, and the only protection against them is the mysterious “grass of the winds”. In other legends, they are believed to be servants of God.

Vėjopatis, god of the wind and master of Dausos (paradise)