Lithuanian ghosts

Kaukas

Kaukas – spirits similar to leprechauns. Sometimes they are called Kaukutis, Kukas, Pūkis. They are usually depicted as little men, wearing red, green or blue clothing, who partake in mischief. Kaukai are servants, they don‘t bring people money, they don‘t fly and they can‘t be bought. They are solitary creatures who used to visit people and bringing them things like hay.

Laumė

Laumės are the oldest goddesses of Lithuanian mythology. The image of these goddesses may have formed during the historical Mesolithic period, just after the Ice Age. Laumės could appear in the form of animals, as mares or as female goats, bears and dogs. Later, Laumės had an anthropomorphic appearance: they usually had birds’ claws for feet and appeared as women with the head or lower body of a female goat. Other forms included half-human/half dog or half mare, similar to centaurs. Like cyclops, Laumės often had only one eye.

They danced and enjoyed themselves, leaving circles in the grass. Laumės could cause hail, storm or rain by singing, dancing or by curses.

They love children, respect industriousness and help those in need. They punish those who ridicule them, and those who are lazy.

Nykštukas (gnome)

A gnome is a diminutive spirit in  Renaissance magic and alchemy, first introduced by Paracelsus in the 16th century and later adopted by more recent authors including those of modern fantasy literature. Its characteristics have been reinterpreted to suit the needs of various story tellers, but it is typically said to be a small humanoid that lives underground.

Ragana (witch)

Is an old-looking female or witch. Mostly has dark intentions and powers to control forces of nature. They probably were old ladies living by the forest, having a good knowledge of plants and their use for medical and other purposes. Though she was called “the bad guy”, she was actually taking care of balance in the world.

Vilkolakis (werewolf)

In folklore, a werewolf, or occasionally lycanthrope, is a human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf , either purposely or after being placed under a curse or affliction with the transformations occurring on the night of a full moon. Early sources for belief in this ability or affliction, called lycanthropy, are Petronius and Gervase of Tilbury.

The werewolf is a widespread concept in European folklore, existing in many variants, which are related by a common development of a Christian interpretation of underlying European folklore developed during the medieval period. From the early modern period, werewolf beliefs also spread to the New World with colonialism.

Aitvaras

Aitvaras is a nature spirit in Lithuanian mythology. It is also known by other names, such as Atvaras, Damavykas, Pūkis, Sparyžius, Koklikas, Gausinėlis, Žaltvikšas, and Spirukas. Aitvaras is identical to the Latvian Pūķis. An Aitvaras looks like a white or black rooster with a fiery tail (meteorite). An Aitvaras may hatch from an egg of a 9- to 15-year-old rooster. If the Aitvaras dies, he becomes a spark.

In many cases, this Lithuanian creature is described as a bird and the appearance of a dragon outdoors.  An Aitvaras will lodge itself in a house and will most often refuse to leave. It brings both good and bad luck to the inhabitants of the house. Aitvaras provide their adopted home with stolen gold and grain, often getting the household into trouble.