Lietuvēns
Latvian folklore creature that causes sleep paralysis and nightmares.
Lietuvēns (also called lietonis or, in Latgale, lītūņš) is a creature from Latvian folklore, similar to the Slavic mara or Lithuanian lauma. It is believed to be the soul of a murdered or unbaptized person, cursed to remain in the world for its allotted lifespan. The lietuvēns is notably associated with sleep paralysis, which is interpreted as its strangling or torturing a victim.
Quick Facts
- Alternate names
- lietonis, lītūņš
- Similar figures
- Slavic mara, Lithuanian lauma
- Origin
- Soul of a murdered (strangled, drowned, or hanged) person or unbaptized child
- Associated phenomenon
- Sleep paralysis
Facts from the source article.
Appearance
In Latvian folk culture, the lietuvēns is usually described as a small, fast-moving, wretched child that appears at noon or night. Rarely, it may take the form of an ugly, witch-like woman. It always departs through the same entrance it used, often a hole, crack, or keyhole. The creature is said to ride and strangle sleeping people or domestic animals, leaving victims exhausted, sweaty, and unable to move or breathe. Those born in the daytime are not tormented by the lietuvēns.
Methods of protection
A key defense against the lietuvēns is the lietuvēns’ cross, which can be a simple five-pointed star (pentagram) or a double cross (auseklis) formed by two pentagrams. The auseklis, symbolizing the morning star and light’s victory over darkness, is considered the strongest variant. These crosses are drawn on doors, thresholds, windows, animals’ hoofs, or even on a person’s nails, but must be drawn in one continuous stroke to be effective; otherwise, the lietuvēns may still enter. The cross remains active until erased by the person who drew it. To trap the creature, the hole or crack it uses for entry should be plugged with a piece of mottled wood, cut with the left hand and brought in thick end first, at night after the lietuvēns has entered. Trapped, it may transform into a beautiful young woman, but flees when the exit is reopened. During an attack, moving the pinky or big toe of the left foot causes the lietuvēns to flee. If its bones are buried in a cemetery with honors, a thunderstorm and lightning signal the soul’s departure to the other world.
Protection of farm animals
Farm animals can be guarded by attaching a knife, comb, or scythe to their back, as the creature may be hurt by blades. The lietuvēns can be caught behind the animal’s left ear and struck with a rowan stick to drive it away permanently. Oiling an animal’s back makes it too greasy for the lietuvēns to ride, and the creature also avoids animals with a cut right ear.
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