The vodník is a spirit of the water element known in many forms. He often appears as a little green man, but can turn into various animals and objects. According to tradition, he keeps the souls of drowned people underwater. His nature is fickle: sometimes he merely plays tricks, while at other times he lures people into danger and drowns them.
Where it appears
Rivers, ponds, mills and other waterside places throughout Bohemia and Moravia.
What the old legends say
The most important thing was not to let the water spirit lure you into the water. People were to avoid lonely banks after dark, refuse suspicious gifts and leave unfamiliar objects floating on the surface untouched. Prayer and the sign of the cross also feature in Christian legends.
Sources of the original atlas Tajemná místa · page 43
This legend preserves a folk tale. Its motifs do not constitute evidence of supernatural events.
