Vodyanoy

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Wodjanoj, Vodyanoy (literally watery, Russian: водяной), or Vodník in Slavic mythology is the male water spirit.

In some tales he is a master shape-shifter who is said to live in a whirlpool, or in an underwater palace made from the treasures of sunken ships, the sunken ships themselves and crystals.

He is said to appear as an old man with a greenish beard covered in muck, sometimes covered in scales. Local drownings are said to be the work of the vodyanoy. Those he drowned he would drag down to his underwater dwelling to serve him as slaves.

He would either marry Rusalkas, or have them as servants.

Fishermen ask Wodjanoj for help by placing a pinch of tobacco in the water and saying "Here's your tobacco, Lord Wodjanoj, now give me a fish". Wodjanoj can be appeased by giving him the first fish or pouring butter into the water.

Millers, beekeepers, and fisherman were protected by the Wodjanoj.

David Wiltshire's novel Child of Vodyanoi used the water spirit as a metaphor for a miniature Russian submarine.

See also:

• GAZ-3937 "Vodnik"

Slavic mythology v • d • e

Major Gods Dazbog • Jarilo • Morana • Perun • Siwa • Svantevit • Svarog/Svarogich • Triglav • Veles • Zorya Other Gods Belobog • Berstuk • Chernobog • Dziewona • Hors • Flins • Karewit • Lado • Mat Zemlya • Mokosh • Oźwiena • Perperuna • Porenut • Porewit • Porvata • Radigost • Rod • Rugiewit • Stribog • Zirnitra • Zlota Baba Legendary heroes Alyosha Popovich • Bash Chelik • Burislav • Dobrynya Nikitich • Ilya Muromets • Ivan Tsarevich • Lech, Czech, and Rus • Libuše • Marko Kraljevic • Sadko • Solovey-Razboynik Magical creatures and plants Alkonost • Cikavac • Firebird • Gamayun • Raskovnik • Simargl • Sirin • Zmey Spirits and demons Baba Yaga • Bagiennik • Bannik • Bies • Boginki • Bukavac • Domovoi • Drekavac • Karzelek • Kikimora • Koschei • Lady midday • Leshiy • Likho • Polevik • Rusalka • Skrzak • Stuhać • Sudice • Vila • Topielec • Vampir • Vodyanoy