Leshy: The Trickster Tree Spirits of Slavic Myth & Folklore - (Slavic Mythology Explained)

Today we take a look at some Slavic mythology and a set of tree spirits that appear as both protectors and tricksters. The Leshy.
#Mythology #SlavicMythology #MythologyExplained
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[MissSkyNet]

My grandparents told me, that leshy is forest spirit / soul. So, if you respect the forest and it's residents they'll let you go safely. And if you are lost in the forest and asked them for help, they'll guide you home. But again, if you are respectful

[dsful]

Putting your clothes on backwards within the slavic folklore is seen as protection against black magic, or wearing two different socks will do the same trick.

[saranestorovska]

Your voice is really calming and the way you explain is amazing deadass my favorite channel ever

[colddarkness]

Big love from Bosnia piece to all SLAVIC

[archivistix]

Finally something from Slavic mythology! <3

[DanielMeglan]

If it wasn't for Geralt of Rivia these guys would still be around.

[edi]

I've heard that the turning of the clothing had a special meaning. Like in some Asian myths, there are creatures that cause you to get lost and the only way to get out of walking in circles is stop repeating your actions in that case it meant that you do everything the inverse way including redressing with your insides out!

[Leepotleepot]

Very good video! J.R.R Tolkien was inspired a lot about mythology when he was writing the hobbit or lord of the rings (ent = leshy or the elves = norse mythology elves).

[aiden]

Love slavic mythology...I am slavic and I grew up listening to stories about Babaroga.LOVE IT❤❤❤

[Bolekh]

in the Witcher series (english translation) they are called Leshen

[JoeSmith-slbq]

You can't really do a video on her, but growing up I was convinced of the existence of Baba Kukaca (Grandma Hook). She is said to haunt wells in Bosnia and Herzegovina. When a child comes too close she pulls them in with her hook and eats them. That's all the folklore there is about her. There are also plenty of myths surrounding animals, that a significant portion of the population still believes. Salamanders are said to be fire immune, and they are born in the clouds, which disperse them across the land with rain. Turtles, also called frogs, go out of their shell at night and jump over fences. Most interesting is our fascination with fairies (vile). They are the epicentre of many South Slavic tales.
Like most of our creatures, they can be benevolent or wicked, just like people. For example, in one poem a vila assists a Serbian Vitez (knight) kill a Albanian bandit on behest of the Sultan. The Albanian had three layers of ribs, and his heart was guarded by a serpent. The Vitez admires the Albanian's prowess, and admits he is the superior warrior. A less benevolent Vila kills and eats a child that betrayed the location of her treasure trove.
I wonder if our closeness with vile is something we brought with us during the migration in the 7th century, or a adaptation from the local Romans' belief in nymphs.

[samuelmanlangit]

In the Philippines we have this giant hairy man who smokes tobacco on a rubber tree. He’s called the Kapre and is known to be chaotically neutral and may even trick travelers

[thelostones]

I’ve always loved tree beard plz do more Slavic vids

[kingofpastriesandbacon]

Great video! Could you make a video on the Slavic Gods?

[nikogelle]

Finally slavic mythology!!! Been waiting so long for it, awesome content!

[shidosuteshi]

I already knew about Leshies in general after LOTR, but I have a story:
(Please remember I’m a creative teen so don’t take this too seriously if you don’t want to)

I was playing in low hanging, crazy branches down the heavily wooded area of a camping trail that my family visited quite frequently. While by myself, I loved to think that tree elves, ents and sprites lived there and watched me play in the trees with them. I actually got lost in an unknown part of the woods and remembered mum say if I ever get lost to put my shirt on backwards and wear my shoes on the opposite feet. After an hour or so of walking around with a backwards shirt, I found my favourite tree, meaning I knew where I was, but every time I trie to reach the tree, it just got farther and farther. I eventually was able to get to the tree and found the trail back to my campsite.

I don’t know if it was coincidence, but I really want to believe a Leshy helped me by pointing me in the direction of home.

Your video’s are always great. Keep up the good work.

[kirbymarchbarcena]

Here in the Philippines, the closest creature we could compare with the Leshy is something we called "Kapre". However, most stories about it is rather grim.

[hiwucfe]

Koszczéj(Kostiéj)Biessmérty, Kikímora, Bába Jagá, Rusálka, Lího, Domovój, Upýř(Original slavic vampire), Volkolák, Vúrdalak, Oborotiéň, Ugomón, Vodianój, etc. These guys from Russian mythology

[justadirtyserb]

Do more slavic mythology please.
Love the vids. :)

[christianbacarra]

In Eu they call them Leshy but in our country the Philippines we call them Kapre’s they are forest guardians if the forest they protect is disturbed they curse them. Even chopping down a tree for lumber needs offerings and passage in order to avoid the curse. Our old folks tells us they are usually friendly but if you harm their forest they will harm you and your family.