Lithuanian and Romanian ghoasts: similarities

Eva Genutytė

In Romanian folklore:

Muma Pădurii – is an ugly and mischievous or mad old woman living in the forest. She is the opposite of fairies such as a “Fairy” Zana. 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, but she’s a neutral “creature”, harming only those who harm the forest.

In Lithuanian folklore:

Kupolė – the spirit of springtime vegetation and flowers. In this festival, women picked sacral herbs, danced and sang songs. Kupolinės is also known as Rasos.

In Romanian folklore:

Vântoase – are creatures present in Romanian Folklore, as a sort of female spirits. 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.

In Lithuanian folklore:

Vėjopatis – god of the wind and master of Dausos (paradise).

In Romanian folklore:

Lucifer 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.

In Lithuanian folklore:

Aušrinė is a feminine deity of the Morning Star (Venus) in the Lithuanian mythology. She is the antipode to “Vakarinė”, the Evening Star.

In Romanian folklore:

Samca is a character in Romanian legends, a very ugly and scary evil spirit.

In Lithuanian folklore:

Baubas, an evil spirit with long lean arms, wrinkly fingers and red eyes. He harasses people and tears their hair or stifles them.

In Romanian folklore:

Șolomonar is a wizard believed, in Romanian folklore to ride a dragon and control the weather, causing rain, thunder, or hailstorm.

In Lithuanian folklore:

Perkūnas 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.