Why is Russia considered the home of mermaids?

How does a modern person anywhere in the world imagine a mermaid? A beautiful girl with long flowing hair, a woman's torso and a fish tail below her waist. She emerges from the water and sings with a voice of unearthly beauty. The Russian version is no exception. However, this is the influence of Western mass culture. In East Slavic folklore, mermaids have been known since before the 10th century. They were called ‘vodynikha’, ‘khitka’, ‘shutovka’ or ‘shchekotihka’. A lot of narratives, rituals and stories are associated with them. However, they have nothing in common with a water maiden with a fish-scaled tail.

Fish tail

A Slavic mermaid has no… fish tail! She has two legs, like all ordinary women. Because, in her previous life, she was a woman. But then, she died. Slavs believed that the mermaids were girls and women who died a “wrong” death. From the point of view of Slavic mythology, the “wrong” dead are suicides; those who where in contact with evil spirits, girls who died before marriage (they did not fulfill their purpose, so they will not have peace in the afterlife), girls who died on Trinity Week (in 2025, it is from June 8 to 15), as well as “spoiled” dead, that is, those who were not given certain rituals after death or were given them incorrectly.

Reservoir

Slavic mermaids do not live in water. More precisely, in water, too, but they also like to play in fields and meadows, to swing on tree branches in forests and groves. Because they are spirits of nature. The most active period of mermaid games is Trinity week, it is also called Green Christmastide. According to the beliefs of the ancient Slavs, at this time, mermaids are more active and dangerous for living people, they can drag them into their round dance, whirl them around, tickle them to death. Also, since these are the spirits of the dead who have not found peace in the next world, they go to the places they once lived in. Relatives, where such deceased were, leave treats and clothes for them outside the house.

Beauty

East Slavic mermaids, according to beliefs, wear white clothes, long blond flowing hair and… have no face. That is, it is impossible to say anything about their beauty. In some regions, mermaids have been described as old, hunchbacked, ugly women with saggy breasts that they throw behind their backs. These mermaids attack children and may steal or kill them.

Voice

Slavic mermaids don't sing at all; they're usually silent, in general.

Love

East Slavic mermaids most often do not seduce men. All people are equally uninteresting to them. And if you treat mermaids carefully and respectfully, then, there’s a high probability they will not cause any harm. But, they also do not like it when they are disturbed or robbed. 

One of the types of northern Slavic mermaid is the ‘Shutikha’ (‘jester’) or devil. A former drowned woman. She lives in the water, her appearance is not associated with the Green Christmastide and, most often, she can be found sitting on the shore or bridge, combing her hair with a comb. When a person approaches, she falls into the water like a stone and the comb remains in the place where she was sitting. If it is taken away, she will go to this person's home, knocking on windows and doors. Then, it is recommended to return the comb.