#shtojzovalle

[legend-collection]

Shtojzovalle

In Albanian mythology, the shtojzovalle, also known as shtojzorreshta, shtozote is a small creature with supernatural powers and of extraordinary beauty. They are invisible woodland creatures, which can be seen by humans only on rare occasions and are fond of song and dance.

The term shtojzovalle derives from the Albanian words shtoj (English: add), zot (English: god, deity) and valle (English: dance), with the term meaning in English "may God give increase to their dance" or "multiply, God, their choirs". The name shtojzovalle is a product of Pagan and Christian religious syncretism. The alternative term shtojzorreshta means "may God give increase to their rows" in English.

The shtojzovalles are small male and female creatures of extraordinary beauty. They live in forests and pastures and spend their time singing and dancing. They have the ability to fly and at night they spin the thread of human existence. They are invisible to humans and a human can see them only if they lift an invisible veil in front of their eyes. Occasionally humans and shtojzovalles are married, but a human can keep a shtojzovalle maiden only if he gives her his clothes to wear. If a human builds their house on lands inhabited by shtojzovalles, the house will be haunted by shtojzovalles shaking heavy iron chains. When people go for a walk and step on a shtojzovalle they may get devoured by it.

[enishehu]

Zana, Albanian mythological divine beings dancing under the moonlight. They are thought to be beautiful young women, with supernatural powers, goddesses of the mountains, protectors of nature. They are usually found in groups of three, but sometimes they can be found alone. They are so holy in the ancient Albanian mythology that Albanians still do not dare mention their full name, saying it is a blasphemy to call upon their divine being. Instead they can me called "Shtojzovalle" (Shtoj-increase, Zot- Albanian God, Vallet- Dance; "Zot, make them dance more") "Shojzorreshta" (Zot, increase their numbers), "Brides of the Mountain" ,  "The White Ones" , "The Kind Ones" etc. In some cases, they are also seen as fierce warriors, similar to the Amazons. They are the counterpart to the Green Man, or the Divine Feminine.  Part of my personal project on Ancient Albanian Mythology.

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[seewetter]

Mythic Creatures by Culture & Region

Part 5: East Europe, Northwest Asia

Europeans often think that East Europe and Northwest Asia is simply Slavic: if Poles, Czechs, Russians and many Balkan people are Slavic, surely all the areas of East and Southeast Europe must be Slavic. And if West Asia has Indo-Germanic languages and cultures, surely those must be Slavic too? Well no.

So here is an exhaustive list of Wikipedia's creatures for people who just get lumped in as "Slavic" when they are, in fact, from totally different cultures. While browsing Wikipedia, I also learned that there is a autonomous Buddhist European Republic run by descendants of the Mongol horde in Eastern Europe, something I was utterly unaware of (probably because they are incorporated into Russia, but also because I have some biases to work on).

Albania (not Slavic)

Djall Albanian (technically not Slavic!); Drangue; En_Albanian_Deity; Fatia; I Verbti_Albanian_Deity; Kukudh; Kulshedra; Ljubi; Lugat; Nëna e Vatrës; Ora; Perëndi; Perria; Prende_Albanian_Deity; Shtojzovalle; Shtriga; Shurdh; Stihi; Tur; Turoń; Vitore; Xhindi; Zana; Zojz_Albanian_Deity

Armenian (not Slavic)

Griffon; Hayk; Lake Van Monster; Vishap; Werewolf

Caucasus Region (not Slavic)

Batraz North Caucasian culture may not be Slavic; Germakochi; Ossetian Myth; Tutyr; Vainakh religion Georgia (NOT Slavic); Kopala; Ochokochi; Q'ursha Hungary (NOT Slavic); Busós ; Lidérc; Luwr; Ördög; Sárkány; Turul also Turkic; Vadleány

Romanian (not Slavic) (Land of Vlad Tepes)

Iele; Ileana Cosânzeana; Little Wildrose; Moroi; Muma Pădurii; Muroni; Nosferatu (word) allegedly Romanian; Pricolici; Samca; Sântoaderi; Sânziană; Solomonari; Spiriduș; Strigoi; Swan Maiden; Uriaș; Ursitoare similar to Roma & Slavic Ursitory; Vâlvă; Vântoase; Zână; Zburător; Zmeoaică; Zmeu

Slavic

Having said that, many East European cultures are in fact Slavic. I will have to revise this section at a later date because I am rarely differentiating the Slavic cultures and lumped them all together.

Ala (from Bulgaria, Serbia, Macedonia); Alkonost; Aq Bars (winged snow leopard, heraldry from 800s onwards, also Mongolian); Baba Yaga; Babay; Baloz; Bannik; Bardha; Baš Čelik; Bauk; Bies; Black Arab; Black Panther; Błędnica; Blud; Błudnik; Bobak; Božalość; Božić; Bukavac; Cambion; Căpcăun (Romanian ogre); Chort; Chut; Cikavac; Cornflower Wraith; Čuma; Death; Ded Moroz; Devil Boruta Poland; Dhampir; Djadadjii (Bulgarian vampire hunter); Dobrynyna Nikitich; Domovoi; Drekavac; Drioma; Dvorovoy; Dzedka; Dziwożona; Fext; Fiery serpents; Firebird; German; Gold Duck; Goldenhorn; Ispolin; Karapandža; Karzełek; Kikimora; King Kojata; Kostroma; Krasnoludek; Kukeri Bulgarian; Laddy Midday; Lakanica; Lazavik; Likho; Likhoradka; Lisunki (see Lyeshi); Lyeshi; Mara_Goddess identical name with unrelated(??) death goddess from India Mara_Goddess2; Marțolea; Maruda; Masovian dragon; Mavka; Mermaid of Warsaw; Misizla; Moryana; Nav; Nocnitsa; Ovinnik; Paraskeva Friday; Pavaró; Pereplut; Płanetnik; Polevik ; Poleviki; Poroniec; Psoglav; Psotnik; Pvitrulya; Rarash; Raróg; Rokita; Rozhanitsy, Narecnitsy and Sudzhenitsy; Rübezahl; Rusalka ; Rusalky; Samodiva; Schrat also medieval European; Shatans; Shubin; Simargl; Skrzak; Slavic Fairies of Fate; Slavic Mythic Creatures; Slavic Pseudo-deities; Slavic Water Spirit\; Spor; Stricha (Ukrainian, while Strigoi are Romanian); Strzyga; Stuhać; Swan Maiden; The Nine Peahens and the Golden Apples; Tintilinić; Topielec; Unclean Force; Upiór; Ursitory also in Roma similar to Ursitoare from Romania; Vampire pumpkins and watermelons; Vazily; Ved; Vedmak; Verlioka; Vesna; Vila; Vjesci; Vrykolakas also Greek; Wars and Sawa; Wawel Dragon; Werewolf; Wild Hunt; Wild Man, Wild Woman ; Wild Men, Wild Women; Wurdulac; Zduhać; Zheuzhyk; Zhytsen; Zilant; Zlydzens; Zmaj; Zwodziasz

Russia (the European parts)

Russia; A Hut on Chicken Legs; Al (also in Mongolia, Persia, Afghanistan, Caucasus); Azovka; Brosno dragon; Chernava; Gamayun; "Go I know not whither and fetch I know not what" folktale includes creatures; Indruk; Koshchei; Meduza; Oksoko (3 headed eagle see article's points about scripture for ideas); Polkan; Russian superstitions; Shishiga; Swan Maiden; The Mistress of Copper Mountain; The Sea Tsar and Vasilisa the Wise; Tugarin; Verechelen; Vodyaniye; Zmei (aka Zmei Gorynich)

Kyivan Rus (modern Ukraine)

Sirin

Notify me please if you find any mistakes or would like a disclaimer added if any of the creatures on this list are sacred or should not be used in art by outsiders.

[oldsoul-3]

On a night drive rn listening to this song on repeat:

Recommended >>

[artatheartist]

E Bukura e Dheut/ The Earthly Beauty • The Earthly Beauty is a popular figure in Albanian mythology. She is known by many names, is devastatingly beautiful and cunning. • She is capable of good as well as evil. Many would-be heroes have lost their fortunes and lives in an attempt to gaze upon her legendary beauty. • Her favor could be won however, if one proves themselves wise and determined in their quest. • • • #ArtaTheArtist #Albanian #albanianartist #albanianart #mythology #Illyrian #albanianmythology #mythologyart #lineart #drawing #folklore #witchyart #shtojzovalle #zana #ebukuraedheut #peralla https://www.instagram.com/p/CbknjxwrCrJ/?utm_medium=tumblr

[thebalkanwitch]

#repost from @artatheartist • • • Shtojzovalle • Fairy • The term "shtojzovalle" is actually a euphemism for "zanë," a fairy commonly found in Albanian mythology. Due to their mischievous and temperamental nature, it is thought best to avoid these fairies and take care not to disturb their mountain dwellings • #shtojzovalle #shtojzorresha #fairy #greenfairy #sylph #hummingbird #witchblr #witchcraft #balkanwitchcraft #magick #magicart #fantasyillustration #fairytale #greenwitch #floralillustration #kitchenwitch #nurserydecor #art #calligraphy #whimsicalart #witchaesthetic #monarchbutterfly #coloredpencils #mixedmedia #witchyart #artistsofinstagram #folklore #illustratorsofinstagram #etnofest https://www.instagram.com/p/B1KQkyOnMbY/?igshid=1biuypt4l3ffl

[you-smell-like-a-losser]

Nuk e di pse por me jep idene e admines se Shtojzovalle

Te ciles

[lpbestiary]

Shtojzovalle are fey creatures from Albanian mythology. Described as small, woodland creatures, they are usually invisible, but when they are glimpsed by humans, possess extraordinary beauty.

The shtojzovalle spend much of their time singing and dancing. They can fly, and are even said to spin the thread of human existence. It is rare, but possible, for a human man to marry a female shtojzovalle if he brings her clothes to wear.

Image source.

Monster master list.

Suggest a spook.

[cornishsketchbookchallenge]

Just catchin' up with the challenges! This is a Shtojzovalle, an Albanian mythic creature. They sing and dance and play with the thread of human existence at night! :3

Don't step on them though. They will eat your face.

- Petra

[artatheartist]

Orë • Figure in Albanian Mythology similar to the concept of a Fairy Godmother • • • #ArtaTheArtist #wip #art #ora #fairy #shtojzovalle #albanian #mythology #fairygodmother #albanianmythology #illyrian #illyrianmythology https://www.instagram.com/artatheartist/p/CYWtI6XrDi5/?utm_medium=tumblr