ITS x HSE Reimagined Myths

This illustration portrays Domovoy, as a helper of the household. According to the Slavic Mythology, Domovoy, when treated with respect, and regarded as part of the family, Domovoy would help with small household tasks, watch over livestock, protect the home, and warn its inhabitants of danger. So this illustration portrays Domovoy helping the household by cleaning their house all while the household family seems to be delighted and happy to see him, even the farm animals are glad to be in its prescence.

My version of Domovoy Portrays him as a loving grandfather with an often seen commoner clothing to enforce its loving and approachable persona, it also has a small detail of its long beard tied by a ribbon that is intended to show the connection between Domovoy and Kikimora who is often portrayed as Wife and Husband.

This illustration portrays Leshy, as a mischievous yet dangerous guardian of the forest. According to the Slavic Mythology, if you’re trying to escape him, you have to make him laugh to break its enchantment over you. In this illustration, Leshy is seen controlling the humans who are trying their best to make him laugh by dancing ridiculously, the humans are seen as nothing but an entertainment to it.

Leshy is also often said to be a shapeshifter, it can be the size of an ant and also be big enough to rival the mountains, This Leshy is portrayed to tower over the humans to show how he is the one dominating the scenario.

This illustration portrays Rusalka, as a vengeful spirit so blinded with her revenge. According to the Slavic Mythology, Rusalka is commonly believed to be the spirit of a drowned girl, a woman who died near water, or someone whose death occurred under inauspicious circumstances. In this illustration, Rusalka is seen drowning a man with an amused expression while the man fears for his life. The piranha fish added the narration that the man is already seen as the prey both by rusalka and the piranhas itself.

My version of Rusalka portrays her as a young girl with long beautiful wavy hair that resembles the gentle waves of the water. She is portrayed with features that are often seen on siren to add the uncanny feeling that Rusalka is not a nice spirit, but a malevolent being.

This illustration portrays Sirin, with her voice as a bringer of ruins. According to the Slavic Mythology, Sirin sings heavenly songs for the saints. Yet for mortals, hearing Sirin’s song brings ruin: those who listen lose their memory and will. In this illustration Sirin is perched on a tree singing a song, while a human beneath her who heard the song by chance, is entering a manic state and runs towards the edge of a cliff in panic.

My version of Sirin portrays her as a half human and half bird with dark feathers that contradicts her sister, Alkonost who is often portrayed as a bird with light colored feathers.

According to Slavic Mythology, Vodyanoy is an evil water spirit that often dwells in rivers, lakes, deep pools, and especially millponds. He acts as a guardian of the said habitat and will drown anyone who dares to swim in his habitat after the sun sets and on the holy day. This illustration portrays Vodyanoy trying to attempt to drown someone who dares to try to swim and ignoring his place in his habitat.

My version of Vodyanoy portrays him as a small old man with facial features that are unsettling to look at. His eyes are huge like that of a frog, all the while he has the features of an old man. His fingers also resemble that of a frog, and he is covered in algae often seen in that specific type of water habitat he resides in.

According to Slavic Mythology, Kikimora were believed to be the souls of unbaptized infants, while in others they could be deliberately sent into a new home by spiteful carpenters or stove-makers. This illustration portrays Kikimora as a looming malevolent presence of the house, watching over its residents with evil intent. While the household family are seen cowering in fear under her gaze.

My version of Kikimora portrays her as an unusual old woman with the facial features of a boar, with an outfit often seen as that of a commoner to add the twist of something as familiar and unnerving as a commoner can bring the added fear.