The Aitvaras
In Lithuanian folklore, a fiery streak across the night sky could be the aitvaras, flying home to a farm with stolen grain and gold.
What was reported
The aitvaras is a household spirit of Lithuanian folklore. Indoors it looks like a black cockerel, but outside it flies through the night sky as a fiery snake or dragon with a blazing tail. It lives with a family and brings them riches: grain, milk and money, usually stolen from their neighbours.
An aitvaras could be bought from the devil, or hatched from the egg of a seven-year-old rooster. Once in a house, it's very hard to get rid of. People who saw a streak of fire in the sky said an aitvaras was on its way somewhere.
Explanations offered
Folklorists think the fiery flying form may be linked to meteors and ball lightning. The aitvaras also explained why some families suddenly grew rich, and warned against envy and greed. It's related to similar treasure-bringing spirits in Latvia and elsewhere.
- When
- Told for centuries
- Where
- Lithuania
- Witnesses
- Lithuanian folklore
- Status
- Legend
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.
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