Welcome back to another edition of Hunting Cryptids ‘Round the World. We are now turning our attention to Russia and its former territories when it was the Soviet Union. I have decided to lump these two regions together since the following Cryptids are reported in all these countries. So, what do these places have in store for us? Let’s not waste any time and dive further.
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Bigfoot is a huge deal in the Cryptid world, and if you are a true believer, you might have the best shot at seeing one in these countries.
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| Artist rendering of Bigfoot/Yeti |
In Siberia alone, there are at least four different types of Bigfoot cryptids: Yeti, Mecheny, Mirygdy, and Chuchunya. All these creatures are said to be descended from Gigantopithecus. The Chuchunya is said to look most humanoid like, resembling what we think of as a Neanderthal. He is seen mostly in the wintertime, garnering him the nickname “The Siberian Snowman.” The Mecheny, Mirygdy, and the Yeti are all said to have thick fur covering their bodies, a large forehead, shelf brow, oversized feet, and muscular broad shoulders.
While the Yeti and the Chuchunya are known to be seen mostly in the winter time, the Mecheny and Mirygdy are seen mainly in the summer. Both have been sighted in Siberia during the month of August when they begin their migration for the coming winter. The Mecheny (when translated, the name means “Marked One”) is said to have a hatred towards both wolves and dogs. Unlike the other reclusive Bigfoot cryptids, this one is said to actually announce itself by knocking on the windows of the homes it passes on its journey to the hibernation grounds. The Mirygdy, while also on the way to the hibernation grounds, is said to steal dead prey from hunters and devour it raw.
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Now, let us look to the water for a few more cryptids that are familiar to us. In addition to Bigfoot type Cryptids, this region is also home to Frogmen and lake monsters.
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| Vodyanoy |
Yes, like our very own Loveland Frogman, the Vodyanoy is a humanoid frog. It is said to live in Russia, and not much else is known about it. It is theorized that they float along in rivers and streams and are commonly mistaken for logs.
Did you know that Kazakhstan has its very own Loch Ness Monster? Not much is known about it other than its name and whereabouts. Koskolteras Rhomboptrix is thought to be a type of Plesiosaur that makes its home in Lake Koskol. Its first reported sighting occurred in 1977. We must also remember that Kazakhstan has been an area where nuclear testing was performed during the Cold War, so it could be entirely possible that this creature is some sort of mutation due to radiation. However, this is only a theory.
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| Koskolteras Rhomboptrix |
While on the subject of lake dwelling cryptids, let’s turn our attention to Russia and their very own Nessie: The Brosno Dragon. Many theories are out there concerning this cryptid ranging from a mutated beaver to an overgrown Pike. Some even suggest swamp gas, globsters, and packs of migrating boars and elk. Just like its siblings that are said to reside in Lake Koskol and Loch Ness, it might just be an ancestor that swam the waters of Prehistory.
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| Bronso Dragon |
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There are many fascinating sky bound cryptids to be found in these regions. Like the Mothman and the Tengu from Japan, Russia has three different types of humanoids with wings. These are the Gamayan, the Alkonost, and the Sirin.
The Gamayan is said to have the head of a woman and the body of a giant black bird. It is known to be much like Mothman, being a harbinger of wrath and prophecy.
The Alkonost is another woman/bird hybrid. It is reported that people that hear its song will forget everything and desire to only be with this creature. They lay their eggs on the beach and then the eggs are rolled into the sea. Think of a sea turtle only not burying their eggs in the sand. The hatching of the eggs will be preceded by a thunderstorm in which the sea will become rough to mask the birthing of these creatures.
Finally, the Sirin is most akin to the Sirens of Ancient Greece. Think of the story of Jason and the Argonauts and how Jason faced them head on, making his crew tie him to the mast of the Argo and forcing him stay away. It is said that people of Russia did the same thing, doing everything in their power to keep away from the beautiful creatures; even resorting to shooting themselves with cannons. The creatures are said to possess a woman’s head and chest with the body of a beautiful bird. They are fast and hard to catch. As time has gone on, the church has changed the image of these creatures from enticing abductors to having a more godly presence. In fact, Catholics in the Russian Orthodox church now see these creatures as angels that are said to usher in paradise and world harmony. They symbolize eternal joy and heavenly happiness to those that they appear to.
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| The Russian Sirins are said to be Archangels |
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As always, we end our search for the unknown in the realm of the supernatural. There is the supernatural witch called the Baba Yaga. In folklore, it is said that she kidnaps and eats children. Baba Yaga is most often sought out in the search of wisdom and in some stories is said to be the enemy of Ded Moroz, the Russian equivalent of Santa.
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| Baba Yaga |
Another fascinating supernatural cryptid from these regions is the Strigoi. These creatures are said to be the inspiration for the modern-day vampire, although they have also been attributed to zombies, werewolves, warlocks and witchcraft. Those that are turned into Strigoi are those that did bad deeds when they were alive. Most are reported to have flaming red hair, purple eyes, and most importantly, two hearts. They are known to terrorize villages while feeding on the blood of its citizens. In Romanian superstition, it is said when illnesses and bad luck take over a city, it is a Strigoi that is responsible. So, who is likely to become a Strigoi? The main criteria is as follows:
- Lead a troubled or unfinished life.
- Be born out of wedlock
- Die before being baptized
- Die unnaturally
- Birth defects
In 2004, a recently deceased man named Toma Petre was suspected of being a Strigoi after a series of misfortunes happened in his village shortly after his death. His family went into the graveyard and dug up the body, first removing and destroying the heart, and then burnt it along with his body to ash. This practice follows the guidelines on how to destroy a suspected Strigoi. You can prevent a person becoming a Strigoi by doing the following during burial: You can bury whiskey with the body, or you can outright cremate the remains. If that was not done beforehand, then, like out of the final scenes of Dracula, you want to exhume the body and drive a stake through the heart.
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| One form of possible Strigoi |
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The final folklore/supernatural cryptid we are going to look at is The Leshy. The Leshy is a dryad type of cryptid that is found in the forests of Czechoslovakia. They are shapeshifters with pale skin, green eyes, and hair made of grass. Finally, he bleeds blue blood that is said to be visible on his cheeks and has no shadow. There are more than just the male protectors as well; there are also women and children Leshy that look similar to the male.
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| Leshy |
Well guys, I hope you have enjoyed our short trek around Russia and its former Soviet territories and that you have learned something new or at least feel a little more well informed than when you came to this post. As you can see, despite our cultural differences, we still have many of the same types of creatures hiding in the shadows.
If you liked this post, check back next week when I will be taking you on another journey into the unknown. The compass has yet to point me to where we are headed next, but wherever it is, you can be sure that there are cryptids waiting for us to talk about.
Until next time, remember to keep your mind and your eyes always open. You never know when you might encounter the unknown...
Works Cited/Photo Credit:
“Cryptid Wiki.” Cryptid Wiki | FANDOM powered by Wikia, cryptidz.wikia.com/wiki/Cryptid_Wiki.
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