"Water horse" of Europe

Water horse is a mythical creature, is characteristic of the mythologies of Northern Europe. The researchers of anomalous phenomena believe that under different descriptions of "water horses" in the different tales and legends of hiding the real so-called lake monsters. This is the cryptids (animals whose existence is not scientifically proven) believed to be extant dinosaurs.

Most often, when the mention of "water horse," recalls the Scottish Kelpie. It is known in Cornwall, where it is called Shawnee. According to legends and fairy tales, is a spirit FAE that live in water. Sometimes it can take the form of a man or even a seal, but most often it appears as a white horse, the mane which is reminiscent of the crest of the waves. To determine the presence of a Kelpie in the nearby pond for their loud howl before a storm.

In human form Kelpie emerges from the water in the form of a hairy half-human with hair algae. He hides in the bushes, waiting for a passing rider, and jumps on the road in front of nothing waiting man. Kelpie grabs the victim with its hairy arms and pulls him from his horse, while the person will not lose control of it. A frightened horse Kelpie haunts along the coast until, until you get tired of this game, then again jumps into the water.

Another form, in which the Kelpie appears on the banks of rivers — a magnificent young horse in the bridle. Anyone would think an unhappy thought to ride the Kelpie, he immediately takes to the depths, risking to drown it out before the hapless rider will be allowed to go. A man who knows the habits of the Kelpie can take with you to the way a conventional bridle.

If he sees Kelpie in horse form, he can climb on it, then quickly replace the bridle that is put on the animal, its. If all goes well, the Kelpie can be made to serve man, however, according to legend, a captive Kelpie is impossible to get too much work or too long to hold back, otherwise he will curse the man who caught him, and all his descendants.

Some believe that the Kelpie eats people, but this habit is not his, and the other Scottish water-horse. Predatory water horses called ech uscga and they live in lakes. They appeared on the banks of a small pony, and as soon as a person climbed ech uscga, he found that could not get off the ground. Then water the horse rushed into the deepest part of the lake, taking the victim under water. Sometimes some time after this, on the surface of the water appeared for any part of the body of the victim.

Ech USCA (each-uisge). This highland water horse, the most fierce and dangerous of all water-horses, but Cabell of Usti from him is not far away. Ech uska inhabit the sea and lakes of Scotland, and a good Kelpie, also living in the highland region of Scotland, lives in running water. Ech uska usually appears as a well-groomed horse, offering to ride on horseback; however, there are cases when it takes the shape of a huge bird or a beautiful youth. When this creature takes the shape of a horse, and the man boards it, then it is "stuck" — becomes absolutely helpless and can not dismount. Then ech USCA with a rider on its back, rushes into the lake, where it devours the person, leaving only the liver. Glustin or glustin living on the Isle of man, similar to the ech USCA. This creature can take human form — beautiful, dark-haired men with curly hair and glowing eyes. Give him only the ears resembling a horse.

Cabell of Usti (cabbyl-ushtey) is another water horse, known on the Isle of man. This creature is pale gray was equally dangerous and was also fond of human flesh, like highland ech USCA. Of Cabell of Usti written little stories. One of them tells the story about the creature some time visiting Keru Clough on the Dark river, and then disappeared. Aghasi Ahiska or agisci on the Arthurian legends were once so common that they often left the sea to gallop on the Sands and fields. It happened mostly in November. If someone managed to lure one of these water horses from the sand and the sea, throw him the bridle and saddle from Aghasi was a wonderful horse. However, it was impossible to let him even catch a glimpse of salt water, otherwise, it is rapidly absorbed deep into the sea, carrying a rider, and there swallowed it.

They also said that the wild Aghasi during their forays ashore devouring cattle.

The Irish pooka belonged to the realm of the FAE and looked like a man able to assume the form of horses that can be attributed to one of types of centaurs. Many geographical features in Ireland still carry names associated with the puke: Paxton, PAC fair, Pukas Ford. Waterfalls on the river Liffey near Bedding Eustace are called Pul-a-Puka (which means Hole bunches); in the County of cork there are castle ruins Carrig-a-Bunch (the Rock bunches), and not far from Dublin stands the castle called pax castle. The Irish still might catch a bunch in remote and isolated places, especially swamps.

They believe that the meeting with this creature is a bad omen. Many of meet him stupid enough to ride it and experience the horror during a wild gallop, before a bunch of allowed him or her to get off the ground. Naggl Population of the Shetland Islands known creature called Noggle (naggl or Nigel). When it appeared, always near the water, apparently it was like the grey horse in bridle and saddle, the tail is curled up over the back.

He usually did not pose a danger to people, but he had two bad habits. If the night worked the mill, he stopped the water wheel. If someone sat astride Noggle, he, too, rushed into the water with its rider. When he came out of the water, then disappeared in blue flames. Sometimes people called him superti, a name which he shared with the Sea people.

Danish legends tell of Knokke or some kind ofwater spirit that can live in both fresh and salt water. Knokke are only males, they have a human head, chest and arms and a horse's body, which is usually hidden under water. This substance is the attractive face of the young man, framed by Golden curls, and on his head wearing a red cap. Warm summer nights he likes to sit at the water surface and play on a Golden harp. Sometimes Knokke takes the shape of a bearded old man sitting on a rocky beach, wringing out his beard.

There are legends about how Knokke fell in love with ordinary women; this being always polite and attentive, but still dangerous, as the object of adoration he carries with him under the water, and more no one ever sees. Like other Sea creatures, Knokke you can put off metal, especially steel or iron. Fishermen and those who have to travel by water, are protected from Knokke, resting on the bottom of the boat with a knife or a nail.

Translated by «Yandex.Translator»