VODYANOY/VODNÍK – The Spirit Beneath the Water | AI Mythology Short Film

Описание: In Slavic mythology, the Vodník (Czech, Slovak) and the Vodyanoy (Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian) are powerful and dangerous water spirits, bound to ponds, rivers, millponds, and the shadows beneath bridges.

In Czech and Slovak tradition, the Vodník is often described as a small green man, dressed in a dripping coat and hat, sometimes with webbed fingers and hair like river-grass. In later folklore and literature he is often shown smoking a pipe and sitting on a millrace or by a still pond. Some Czech and Slovak tales say he keeps the souls of drowned people in cups or jars in his house beneath the water, each vessel holding a tiny trembling light.

In East Slavic tradition, the Vodyanoy is usually more monstrous: a swollen old man with algae-covered hair and beard, skin coloured like mud or riverweed, dwelling in the deep parts of rivers and lakes or under watermills. He rules an underwater domain, sometimes described as halls or palaces beneath the riverbed, with drowned servants in his retinue.

Both Vodník and Vodyanoy are closely linked to millers, fishermen and boatmen. When respected and given offerings, they may protect a mill or bring fish to the nets. When angered or ignored, they are blamed for overturned boats, broken millwheels, whirlpools and sudden drownings in deep or forbidden waters. Many traditional warnings against swimming at night or near certain spots are told through stories about these spirits.

This AI-generated short film visually reimagines the Slavic water spirit by combining elements from Czech and Slovak Vodník and East Slavic Vodyanoy. The look and behaviour shown on screen are inspired by real folklore and literary sources, but remain a stylised interpretation for artistic and educational purposes only, not a complete or definitive version of any single regional tradition.

#vodnik #vodyanoy #slavicmythology #mythology #shortfilm
#водяной #vodník #словянськаміфологія #paganism
#славянскаямифология #язычествославян