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| In ], especially in the ] region, '''Koschei''' (Коще́й) is an ] with a terrible appearance, menacing principally young women. Koschei is also known as '''Koschei the Immortal''' or '''Koschei the Deathless''' (Коще́й Бессме́ртный). He cannot die; his ] is hidden inside a needle, which is in an ], which is in a ], which is in a ], which is in an ] ], which is buried under a ] ] ], which is on the ] of ], in the ]. |
In ], especially in the ] region, '''Koschei''' (Коще́й) is an ] with a terrible appearance, menacing principally young women. Koschei is also known as '''Koschei the Immortal''' or '''Koschei the Deathless''' (Коще́й Бессме́ртный). He cannot die; his ] is hidden separate from his body inside a needle, which is in an ], which is in a ], which is in a ], which is in an ] ], which is buried under a ] ] ], which is on the ] of ], in the ]. As long as his soul is safe, he cannot die. If the chest is dug up and opened, the hare will bolt away. If it is killed, the duck will emerge and try to fly off. Anyone possessing the egg has Koschei in their power. He begins to weaken, becomes sick and immediately loses the use of his magic. If the egg is tossed about, he likewise is flung around against his will. If the needle is broken (in some tales this must be done by specifically breaking it against Koschei's forehead), Koschei will die. | ||
| ] wrote an ] involving Koschei, titled '']''. | ] wrote an ] involving Koschei, titled '']''. | ||
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| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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Revision as of 08:10, 30 September 2004
In Russian mythology, especially in the Caucasus region, Koschei (Коще́й) is an evil spirit with a terrible appearance, menacing principally young women. Koschei is also known as Koschei the Immortal or Koschei the Deathless (Коще́й Бессме́ртный). He cannot die; his soul is hidden separate from his body inside a needle, which is in an egg, which is in a duck, which is in a hare, which is in an iron chest, which is buried under a green oak tree, which is on the island of Bujan, in the ocean. As long as his soul is safe, he cannot die. If the chest is dug up and opened, the hare will bolt away. If it is killed, the duck will emerge and try to fly off. Anyone possessing the egg has Koschei in their power. He begins to weaken, becomes sick and immediately loses the use of his magic. If the egg is tossed about, he likewise is flung around against his will. If the needle is broken (in some tales this must be done by specifically breaking it against Koschei's forehead), Koschei will die.
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov wrote an opera involving Koschei, titled The Immortal Koschei.
In Neil Gaiman's American Gods, Koschei is referenced as an evil wizard.
James Branch Cabell used the spelling Koshchei in several of his books. His character, however, was a sort of over-deity who presides over all the "first-level" human gods (such as Jehovah and Loki). Robert A. Heinlein used Cabell's version in his book Job: A Comedy of Justice.