Also called Krsnik, Kersnik.
Their story
In Slovene, Istrian and Croatian folklore a kresnik or krsnik was born with a caul and, in sleep, sent out his spirit, often in animal form, to fight the kudlak, an evil sorcerer, for the harvest and the health of the village. Each community had its own kresnik and kudlak. Carlo Ginzburg compared these beliefs with the Friulian benandanti, who fought witches with fennel stalks. In Slovene folk song Kresnik is also a heroic figure linked with midsummer fires.
Best times to give to them
- the Ember Days (in Istrian tradition)
- Kupala Night
- harvest
What they like being given
- gratitude to those who protect the community
- bread shared at harvest
How to honour them
- Honour people who stand up for others quietly.
- Read about the benandanti and kresniki to see how neighbouring peoples shared beliefs.
How they can help you
- courage
- protection of the community
- healing
Symbols
- a caul at birth
- a fennel stalk
- animal forms
- fire
Sources
- Carlo Ginzburg, Ecstasies: Deciphering the Witches' Sabbath (1989)
- Carlo Ginzburg, The Night Battles (1966)
More Slavic beings
- Div The crying omen in the tree-top
- Vodyanoy The old man of the millpond
- Polevik The spirit of the fields
- Poludnitsa Lady Midday of the harvest fields
- Mavka Hollow-backed maiden of the Ukrainian woods
- Mora The night-mare who sits on the chest
- Zmey Gorynych Many-headed dragon of the byliny
- Firebird The glowing bird of the golden apples