Habernitsa is a
noon demon
A demon is a malevolent supernatural entity. Historically, belief in demons, or stories about demons, occurs in religion, occultism, literature, fiction, mythology, and folklore; as well as in media such as comics, video games, movies, ani ...
in
Slavic mythology, said to live in the area of
Prudnik. She is referred to as Chabernica in
Polish and Хаберница (Habernitsa) in
Russian. She can be referred to in English as "Cornflower Wraith", "Lady Cornflower" or "Cornflower Witch". Similar to
Lady Midday Poludnitsa (from: ''Polden'' or ''Poluden'', 'half-day' or 'midday') is a mythical character common to the various Slavic countries of Eastern Europe. She is referred to as Południca in Polish, Полудниця in Ukrainian, Полудница ( ...
.
She was usually pictured as a young slim woman dressed in
azure
Azure may refer to:
Colour
* Azure (color), a hue of blue
** Azure (heraldry)
** Shades of azure, shades and variations
Arts and media
* ''Azure'' (Art Farmer and Fritz Pauer album), 1987
* Azure (Gary Peacock and Marilyn Crispell album), 2013
...
with
cornflowers in her hair, that roamed field bounds during midday.
She was angered by people who trampled the grain or used sharp tools. Those she thought deserved punishment were put to sleep with her whisper, after which she caused them
headache
Headache is the symptom of pain in the face, head, or neck. It can occur as a migraine, tension-type headache, or cluster headache. There is an increased risk of depression in those with severe headaches.
Headaches can occur as a result ...
, paralysis or low back pain. Sometimes she attacked her victims by breaking their arms, legs or neck.
To avoid the wrath of the Cornflower Wraith, a worker had to take a break from work during the midday of Angelus.
References
{{Slavic mythology
Slavic demons
Female legendary creatures
Slavic legendary creatures
History of Prudnik