The Leshy, Lord of the Forest
In the great forests of Russia, people said the Leshy, lord of the woods, could lead you in circles until you turned your clothes inside out.
What was reported
In Slavic folklore, the leshy is the spirit of the forest, who can be as tall as the tallest tree or as small as a blade of grass. He protects the forest and its animals, and herders and hunters made deals with him for good luck.
Travellers who got lost in the woods blamed the leshy for leading them astray. To break his spell, people said, you should turn your clothes inside out and put your shoes on the wrong feet.
Explanations offered
The leshy is a figure of folklore that reflects the real dangers and power of the vast northern forests. Getting lost and walking in circles is a common experience in dense woods without landmarks.
- When
- Told for centuries
- Where
- Northern Russian forests
- Witnesses
- Slavic tradition
- 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.