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Nichka
Nichka is a mythical creature of Ukrainian demonology, which is associated with darkness and night terrors. She is imagined as a shadow or ghostly female figure that appears under the cover of night. She can be pale, almost transparent in appearance, with long dark hair that resembles the darkness of the night. Dressed in dark, barely noticeable clothes, the night moves silently, blending into the shadows and becoming almost invisible.
It is believed that the night appears when a person is on the border between sleep and wakefulness, awakening fear and anxiety. It can bring with it bad dreams that leave behind a feeling of restlessness. Its appearance is sometimes accompanied by a sudden feeling of coldness or inexplicable anxiety, when a person is overcome by the feeling that he is being watched.
In some legends, the night owl has the ability to enter homes, especially where there are children. It can whisper bad dreams or even take away restful sleep, leaving the person tired and exhausted.
To protect against the night, holy water was placed under the bed or a talisman, such as a knife or a branch of wormwood, was placed. Curly branches, such as grapes or hops, were hung over doors and windows to make the night tangled. A bowl of water was placed near the bed, in which she could see her reflection and retreat. They poured a line of sand or salt at the entrance, believing that the night could not cross them. Woven circles of grass or straw were left near the bed so that she could not approach. A broken mirror or a smooth stone under the pillow was used as energy protection. These methods helped scare away the night and keep a peaceful sleep. Crosses were often painted over the doors and windows to prevent it from entering the house.
The image of the night personifies the fear of the unknown and the danger that lurks in the dark, reminding us how the night can be filled with secrets and hidden threats.
It is believed that the night appears when a person is on the border between sleep and wakefulness, awakening fear and anxiety. It can bring with it bad dreams that leave behind a feeling of restlessness. Its appearance is sometimes accompanied by a sudden feeling of coldness or inexplicable anxiety, when a person is overcome by the feeling that he is being watched.
In some legends, the night owl has the ability to enter homes, especially where there are children. It can whisper bad dreams or even take away restful sleep, leaving the person tired and exhausted.
To protect against the night, holy water was placed under the bed or a talisman, such as a knife or a branch of wormwood, was placed. Curly branches, such as grapes or hops, were hung over doors and windows to make the night tangled. A bowl of water was placed near the bed, in which she could see her reflection and retreat. They poured a line of sand or salt at the entrance, believing that the night could not cross them. Woven circles of grass or straw were left near the bed so that she could not approach. A broken mirror or a smooth stone under the pillow was used as energy protection. These methods helped scare away the night and keep a peaceful sleep. Crosses were often painted over the doors and windows to prevent it from entering the house.
The image of the night personifies the fear of the unknown and the danger that lurks in the dark, reminding us how the night can be filled with secrets and hidden threats.