Baba Yaga is a witch in Russian and Slavic folklore who lives in a dangerous forest and can act as a wise guide or a figure of evil. She is usually portrayed as an old hag with iron teeth and travels in a giant mortar. Her house has a mind of its own and is made of human bones. Baba Yaga has three horsemen and invisible servants, and may have a pet cat who is actually her in disguise. Some myths involve a hero seeking her for assistance, while others involve her stealing and eating people.
In Russian and Slavic folklore, Baba Yaga is an iconic figure. Many folktales include a visit to the home of the witch Baba Yaga, located deep in the woods along a dangerous path. He is an interesting figure in mythology because he can act as a wise guide or a figure of evil, depending on the story being told. Either way, it is generally accepted that getting close to Baba Yaga is dangerous and that only the pure in heart will survive encounters with her.
Baba Yaga herself is usually portrayed as a scrawny old hag, and many students of folklore connect her with ancient goddesses of wisdom and death. In most stories, Baba Yaga has iron teeth that make a frightening noise when she collides with them; apparently this happens quite frequently, as many things irritate Baba Yaga including rudeness and too many questions. She travels within a giant mortar, which she drives with a pestle: in some myths she is able to fly, while in others she prowls the forest floor, covering her tracks with a birch broom.
Baba Yaga’s house is often depicted as an entity with a mind of its own. His house walks through the forest on crow’s feet and has a fence and window frames made of human bones, a reference to Baba Yaga’s cannibalistic tendencies. The house usually has its back to visitors, however, until they say the magical nursery rhyme that will cause the house to turn, duck, and open the door. Entering the house can be risky business, as the door has teeth and Baba Yaga may be inside.
Three horsemen serve Baba Yaga: the White Knight, the Red Knight and the Black Knight. These horsemen are said to represent elements of certain myths and are also sometimes connected with dawn, noon and dusk. Baba Yaga also has servants with invisible bodies and prefers people not to ask about them. Additionally, he appears to have a pet cat, who is usually described as quite intelligent; the cat could in fact be Baba Yaga herself, in disguise.
Some myths involve a hero bravely seeking Baba Yaga for assistance and information. If the hero has pure intentions and is courteous to Baba Yaga, he plays the role of a wise guide. Being rude to her or having ulterior motives can lead to her becoming a piece of furniture. In other myths, Baba Yaga steals people, especially children, with the intention of eating them; sometimes the house itself, in tandem with Baba Yaga’s pets, helps her victims escape.
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