Samodiva
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Samodivi, sometimes called Samovili, are woodland fairies found in Bulgarian folklore and mythology, commonly depicted as ethereal maidens with long loose hair, sometimes also with wings. They are dressed in a shirt and a gown, and have a green belt and a sleeveless jacket on, their garments decorated with feathers by means of which they can fly like birds. Samodivi are believed to be the beautiful mistresses of the waters and have the powers to bring about drought, but are not inevitably hostile and dangerous to people.
Earliest written evidence of Samodivi dates back to the 13th century and it is presumed they developed on the basis of Balkan tradition and myths, but researchers have also found traces of the ancient Slav period in them. The words Samodiva and Samovila go back to some very old Indo-European roots with a meaning of "divinity", "demon", "rave" and "rage". In the 19th century, the great Bulgarian poet Hristo Botev mentions Samodivi in a poem praising legendary Bulgarian voivode Hadji Dimitar (please see link below).
In a Serb myth, a samodiva caled Vila, found Prince Marko and brought him up as his foster mother. Because Marko suckled samodiva milk he acquired supernatural powers.
