Vedmak

In Slavic mythology, a Vědmák (Russian: Ведьмак; Czech: Vědmák; Bulgarian: Вещер; Ukrainian: Відьмак, Vidmak, Belarusian: вядзьмак, вядзьмар,[1] Polish: wiedźmak Serbian: Вештац[2]) is a warlock or male witch, the female equivalent (witch) being vědma,[3] but unlike the latter, the vedmak may also possess positive qualities.

For example, they treat people and animals,[4] protect humanity. On the other hand, they are thought to be people connected to the Devil, and are capable of harming other human beings by sending illnesses, killing cattle, spoiling a harvest, etc.[5] The word was also used as an insult.[5] A vedmak can turn into any animal or any object.[5]

The term Vedmak comes from Proto-Slavic *vědět ("to know") and Old Russian вѣдь ("knowledge; witchcraft", compare the use of the term "cunning" in English folklore).[6]

Under the influence of The Witcher fantasy saga by Andrzej Sapkowski, the term vedmak can be translated as "witcher" in English.

References

  1. ↑ Слоўнік беларускай мовы. Менск: Беларуская навука, 2012. ISBN 978-985-08-1365-7
  2. ↑ Aspects of contemporary Ukraine.
  3. ↑ Wood Besant, Annie (January–April 1903). Theosophical Review Magazine. Kessinger Publishing: 401. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ↑ Ushakov's Dictionary
  5. 1 2 3 Yefimova's Modern Explanatory Dictionary of the Russian language, 2000.
  6. ↑ Fasmer, M (1987). Dictionary of Russian language in 4 volumes (2 ed.).

See also

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