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Hangman
A hangman in Ukrainian demonology is the spirit or ghost of a person who died by hanging. In folk beliefs, such souls are considered restless, as suicide or violent death were usually considered sinful, preventing the soul of the deceased from finding peace in the afterlife. Hanged men were often tied to the place of their death — to a tree, beam, or any other structure where the hanging took place. They were considered sinister and dangerous for the living.
Outwardly, hanged people usually look like those left at the time of their death: with a rope around their neck, pale skin and dead eyes. Their appearance can cause fear and terror, as they carry an aura of misfortune and curse. It was believed that hangmen can harm the living, dragging them into the same state in which they themselves died, or causing various misfortunes. Their presence was often associated with heavy atmosphere and cold.
Such spirits cannot find peace because of the sinful nature of their death. To help the soul of the hanged man free from suffering, people performed special purification rites, prayers, or invited priests to perform the funeral service. It was believed that only through these rituals the soul of the married man would be able to find peace in the afterlife.
To avoid meeting the hangman, people tried to avoid the places where the hanging took place, especially at night. To protect against its influence, they wore consecrated amulets, crosses, or hung consecrated things in the place where the hanging took place, so that the soul would not harm the living.
Outwardly, hanged people usually look like those left at the time of their death: with a rope around their neck, pale skin and dead eyes. Their appearance can cause fear and terror, as they carry an aura of misfortune and curse. It was believed that hangmen can harm the living, dragging them into the same state in which they themselves died, or causing various misfortunes. Their presence was often associated with heavy atmosphere and cold.
Such spirits cannot find peace because of the sinful nature of their death. To help the soul of the hanged man free from suffering, people performed special purification rites, prayers, or invited priests to perform the funeral service. It was believed that only through these rituals the soul of the married man would be able to find peace in the afterlife.
To avoid meeting the hangman, people tried to avoid the places where the hanging took place, especially at night. To protect against its influence, they wore consecrated amulets, crosses, or hung consecrated things in the place where the hanging took place, so that the soul would not harm the living.