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Iron Baba
The iron woman in Ukrainian demonology is a terrible creature who was often described as the wife of Babai. She is a symbol of cruelty and steadfastness, and her name emphasizes her uncompromising nature - "iron" indicates her relentless strength and severity. Iron woman lives in forests, wastelands or dark, inaccessible places, where Babai brings naughty children.
In some versions of the legends, the Iron Lady always carries with her an iron hook, a mortar and pestle, with which she catches and punishes naughty children. She steals with her hook children who leave the house without their parents` permission, for example, to the field or forest. After abduction, she crushes them in her mortar with a pestle and then eats them. In addition, according to legends, the Iron Lady often tortures children before killing them: she can strangle, drown or abuse in other cruel ways. She also eats children brought to her by Babai, her husband.
Outwardly, Iron Lady looks like a huge woman with metallic skin, which makes her invincible. Her body is as hard as iron, so no one can resist her or escape. She knows no mercy, punishing those who fall into her trap, personifying a severe punishment for naughty children.
The image of the Iron Lady served to intimidate children and maintain discipline. Parents used these stories to make their children obedient, not to leave the house without permission and follow the established rules, otherwise they would face the cruel Iron Lady.
In some versions of the legends, the Iron Lady always carries with her an iron hook, a mortar and pestle, with which she catches and punishes naughty children. She steals with her hook children who leave the house without their parents` permission, for example, to the field or forest. After abduction, she crushes them in her mortar with a pestle and then eats them. In addition, according to legends, the Iron Lady often tortures children before killing them: she can strangle, drown or abuse in other cruel ways. She also eats children brought to her by Babai, her husband.
Outwardly, Iron Lady looks like a huge woman with metallic skin, which makes her invincible. Her body is as hard as iron, so no one can resist her or escape. She knows no mercy, punishing those who fall into her trap, personifying a severe punishment for naughty children.
The image of the Iron Lady served to intimidate children and maintain discipline. Parents used these stories to make their children obedient, not to leave the house without permission and follow the established rules, otherwise they would face the cruel Iron Lady.