Samodiva (folklore)

The samodiva (Bulgarian: самодива; plural: samodivi, Bulgarian: самодиви), samovila (Bulgarian: самовила; plural: samovili, Bulgarian: самовили) or vila (Bulgarian: вила; plural: vili, Bulgarian: вили), are woodland fairies or nymphs found in South and West Slavic folklore.

They are described as blonde or red-haired creatures, sometimes with wings, wearing white dresses and various other articles of clothing (white veils, wreathes, green sash) which are said to confer them the power of flight, and may be made of feathers; sometimes they themselves are said to be equipped with wings.

One recurring theme in folklore is of a man (shepherd, prince, etc.) able to rob a samodiva of her veil, wreathe, etc. to capture her, and force her to become his bride (§ Samodiva as supernatural wife).

Their secret home occurs at a place associated with high elevation, or bodies of water, or woodland, usually in combination, e.g. a spring on a mountain, or a beechwood grove by a lake where they bathe, or else treetops, or caves, or derelict churches, etc.

Superstition cautions that one should fear trespassing upon their territory, particularly to draw water at night, and the encroacher may be stricken with illness, death, or some other suffering as consequence. Sometimes, a victim is often chosen to be spirited away (§ Abductions and deaths).

It is also explained that these fairies demand humans as labor to construct their homes, or as entertainers if they are flautists or skilled in chain dance (hora), or as caretakers of their children. A more blood-gory piece of lore contends that humans are used as building materials for their castle.