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Poludnytsya
Poludnytsia is a mysterious creature of Ukrainian demonology that appears at noon, when the sun is high in the sky. She appears as a tall, thin woman with long, white hair blowing in the wind. Dressed in plain white or in light rags, her face is often hidden under a veil or unrecognizable by the bright sunlight.
A midday worker goes out into the fields at the hottest time of the day, when a person can be most vulnerable. She preys on those who work in the fields at noon, causing them to feel dizzy, weak, or even faint. Its appearance is associated with a sudden downpour or intense heat, when it seems that the air becomes heavy and suffocating. It was believed that she could cause harm by confusing the winds or driving heat that would exhaust a person.
Lunch was considered a punishment for those who violated the rules of rest by working at the hottest time of the day. To avoid its influence, people tried not to go out into the field at noon and rest in the shade. Her image personifies the dangers and unpredictability of nature, reminding us how important it is to respect natural rhythms and boundaries.
They protected themselves from midday by avoiding work in the fields during midday and resting in the shade. Charms such as St. John`s wort or lovage flowers were worn, as well as red ribbons or necklaces for deterrence. Before going to the field, they washed their faces with cold water so that the midday sun could not approach. Sometimes crosses were painted on the ground or tools for additional protection.
A midday worker goes out into the fields at the hottest time of the day, when a person can be most vulnerable. She preys on those who work in the fields at noon, causing them to feel dizzy, weak, or even faint. Its appearance is associated with a sudden downpour or intense heat, when it seems that the air becomes heavy and suffocating. It was believed that she could cause harm by confusing the winds or driving heat that would exhaust a person.
Lunch was considered a punishment for those who violated the rules of rest by working at the hottest time of the day. To avoid its influence, people tried not to go out into the field at noon and rest in the shade. Her image personifies the dangers and unpredictability of nature, reminding us how important it is to respect natural rhythms and boundaries.
They protected themselves from midday by avoiding work in the fields during midday and resting in the shade. Charms such as St. John`s wort or lovage flowers were worn, as well as red ribbons or necklaces for deterrence. Before going to the field, they washed their faces with cold water so that the midday sun could not approach. Sometimes crosses were painted on the ground or tools for additional protection.