Khansa Amaylia Khoirunisa — Illustration Competition ITSxHSE

A radiant bird from folklore, whose feathers glow with dazzling, fiery light. A classic quest for fairy-tale heroes is to obtain a single feather from its tail. For the Slavs, the Firebird was more a metaphor than a literal creature—it embodied fire, light, the sun, and possibly esoteric knowledge. Its closest relative is the legendary Phoenix, known both in the West and in ancient Rus'. One cannot overlook its mythical kin, Rarog (likely derived from the name of the smith god Svarog). This fiery falcon could also appear as a whirlwind of flame.

A malevolent spirit, sometimes considered the wife of the house spirit (Domovoy). She appears as a small, ugly old woman. If she lives in a house — behind the stove or in the attic — she constantly harasses people: making noise, knocking on walls, disrupting sleep, tearing yarn, breaking dishes, and harming livestock. It was sometimes believed that kikimoras were the souls of unbaptized infants, or that they could be summoned into a new home by spiteful carpenters or stove-makers. A kikimora living in a swamp or forest is less harmful, mostly just frightening lost travelers.

Another creature with the head of a woman and the body of an owl (or tawny owl), possessing an enchanting voice. Unlike Alkonost and Gamayun, Sirin is not a divine messenger but a direct threat to life. It is believed that these birds dwell in «Indian lands near paradise» or along the River Euphrates, singing songs in heaven for the saints. However, mortals who hear their song lose all memory and will, and their ships are doomed to wreck.

The guardian spirit of the home, traditionally seen as a small, bearded old man (or a figure covered in fur). Each household was believed to have its own Domovoy, affectionately called «grandfather. „When treated with respect—fed offerings like milk and bread and considered part of the family—he would help with small chores, watch over livestock, protect the household, and warn of danger.However, an angered Domovoy could become a dangerous poltergeist: pinching people, strangling sleepers, harming cattle, making noise, breaking dishes, or even setting fires. He was thought to dwell behind the stove or in the stable.

A Slavic witch from folklore, depicted as a fearsome old hag with iron teeth and a bony leg. An ambiguous figure, she can be a cannibalistic villain or an unlikely helper, providing the hero with magical aid or crucial knowledge. She lives deep in the forest in a sentient hut that stands on chicken legs. To enter, one must command it to turn around. Baba Yaga flies using a mortar and pestle, swept along by a broom, and is often aided by animal familiars like a black cat. The origin of her name is uncertain, possibly rooted in Turkic languages or an old Slavic word for illness.

General Appearance: The Vodyanoy is the master spirit and ruler of freshwater bodies: rivers, lakes, deep pools, and especially millponds. He appears as an ancient old man, bloated, with a huge belly, a long green beard and mustache made of silt and algae. His skin has a bluish tint or is covered in fish scales, his eyes are bulging, and his body is often wet and cold. His retinue consists of rusalkas, drowned souls, and other water creatures.