Waterman, a character from Slavic mythology

The character of the Water Sprite is common to many Slavic nations, particularly among Western and Eastern Slavs. If we look at our neighbors—the Germans, as well as the Swedes or the British Isles, especially the Irish and Scots—we can find water spirits and similar beings, but they have different roles, customs, and natures.

Josef Lada, 1943

The word "vodník" comes from the word for water in most Slavic languages. Besides the Czech vodník, there is the Russian vodjanoj (водяно́й) and the Polish wodnik.

In the Czech Republic, the term "water man" or "little water man" is sometimes used, similar to the Slovenian povodnji mož or the Lusatian Sorbian wódny muž. Czech also has terms derived from the German wasserman ("water man")—such as hastrman, vaserman, vastrman, or the Moravian variant bestrman, the Silesian hasrman, and the regional variant vosrmon from the Ještěd area. These Germanic influences can be traced back as early as the 14th century. The Lusatian terms nyks and nykus also originate from the German nixe.

Another name is Šosáč, used mainly in the Litovel region, which is related to a distinctive feature—long coat tails dripping with water. The Polish terms topielec and toplec are associated with one of the water sprite’s favorite activities—drowning people.

Study of Water Sprites - Vlad Taupes - fxmakeupschool.com

Miller's Offerings in the Eyes of Artists

Slavs traditionally consider the water sprite a demon, an “unclean” spirit that can, however, be appeased with offerings. The water sprite is often associated with mills, and the miller (like the blacksmith) was seen as somewhat apart from the "ordinary" villagers. He communicated with supernatural beings and demons and made offerings to gain favor with the water sprite and ensure his own safety. When a new mill was built, a blood sacrifice was required—usually a black animal such as a pig, rooster, or goat. Additionally, annual offerings were made, usually breadcrumbs, and on holidays, bread or part of a festive meal, sometimes even a shot of vodka. In Ukraine, to appease the water sprite, a horse’s skull was placed in the foundation of a dam or weir to prevent it from being destroyed by the spirit.

Carved water sprite from our collection of water sprite figurines available in our online shop.

According to preserved folklore, the water sprite lives in rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds—he is, therefore, a freshwater creature. The worship of water among the Slavs was very strong, and its traces are still visible today. Rivers, springs, lakes, and other water bodies were considered sacred, each having its own spirit (or, according to Byzantine sources, a nymph).

Interestingly, among South Slavic nations, only Slovenians recognize the water sprite. The rest of the Balkans instead believe in "sea people," who are half-fish and live in the sea. The Slovenian water sprite wears a green coat and a red cap. In other accounts, he is half-fish from the waist down, or entirely green, with green hair and a beard; he is also very hairy. He lures victims with a golden fish that glows in the depths, usually targeting young girls whom he takes as wives. If he allows them to visit their families, he ties them to a long chain. The Czech water sprite is also traditionally dressed in green and red, like many demonic figures in Czech fairy tales.

The Water Sprite's Natural Habitat and His Crystal Palace

The water sprite loves deep water and inhabits the depths of lakes, pools, whirlpools, and the bottoms of rivers, often near abandoned mills, where he has his crystal palace.

A common trait of Slavic water sprites is their long (green) hair, which they often comb using a fishbone comb. Whether sitting on a mill wheel, a riverbank, a stone, or a tree by the water, both the water sprite and his wife—Water Maiden—or Rusalkas can be spotted.

The water sprite may or may not have a family. Some stories suggest his wife is a "water maiden," sometimes a rusalka, but in Eastern Slavic traditions, she is often described as a drowned human girl (or a cursed drowned girl), who is more sympathetic to people and usually kind and helpful. She also influences her husband, making him less harmful. Their daughters are said to be extraordinarily beautiful.

The water sprite is most active at night, when he claps on the water’s surface, splashes around like a fish, or combs his long hair while sitting on a mill wheel. In the water, he is very powerful, while on land, he is usually weak. He rules over fish, aquatic animals, and waterfowl. His steed is a giant catfish, often referred to as "the devil’s horse."

Study of Water Sprites - Vlad Taupes - fxmakeupschool.com

The Water Sprite as an Evil Demon

The water sprite is considered a rather hostile spirit, more evil than good. He enjoys harming both people and other creatures (for instance, according to Belarusian tradition, if he encounters a domovik/domovoy (a household spirit, usually friendly), they always fight). The water sprite drowns people, tears fishermen’s nets, moves schools of fish away, and makes eerie noises—laughing loudly, stomping on the water, crying, or moaning—to frighten those near the water at noon or midnight. However, Fridays are considered his "rest days" and are sacred to him.

According to later legends, water sprites originated from fallen angels who landed in water after being cast out of heaven. This belief emerged after the advent of Christianity.