Balaur

What it is

The balaur is a monstrous serpent or dragon in Romanian folklore, typically described as having three, seven, or even twelve heads. These winged creatures are golden and resemble the Greek hydra. They are generally evil beings that guard treasures or abduct maidens and princesses. In some traditions, they are confounded with the zmeu, a giant with scaly tails, though the balaur is more consistently serpentine. The creature represents a formidable obstacle for heroes in local tales.

Where it comes from

The word balaur appears in Daco-Romanian, Aromanian, and Megleno-Romanian dialects. Linguists trace its roots to pre-Slavic Balkan languages, possibly Illyrian or Thracian, with forms like *ballaurus or *bulauras. Variations exist along the Adriatic coast, such as blavor in Croatian and Montenegrin dialects. The term may share a root with Albanian words for snake and the Greek hero Bellerophon, meaning beast killer.

How it is done

In stories, the balaur demands sacrifices of young women until slain by a hero like Saint George or Făt-Frumos. Weather-making balauri fight in the air, causing storms, uproot trees, and use rainbows to suck moisture from the earth. Solomonari sorcerers control these dragons using a golden rein, keeping them hidden in lake depths until summoned to ride.

Tools and materials

Practitioners who ride balauri use a golden rein or bridle to control the beasts. The creatures themselves produce precious stones from their saliva, a trait noted in Wallachian legends. Their physical form includes wings, multiple heads, and a golden sheen, marking them as distinct from ordinary snakes.

What it is for

The balaur serves as a antagonist in folktales, testing heroes through abduction and violence. As a weather spirit, it explains meteorological events like storms and rain. Slaying the creature is believed to forgive a sin, offering spiritual relief alongside physical victory. It embodies danger and the supernatural power of nature.

Who does it

Scholars and folklorists study the balaur's variations across regions. Sorcerers known as Solomonari are said to ride these dragons, controlling them through specific rituals involving a golden rein. Heroes in tales, such as Busuioc or Făt-Frumos, are the ones who defeat the monsters, restoring order to villages.

Peoples and places

The balaur is central to Romanian mythology, appearing in tales from Wallachia and Transylvania. Similar concepts exist among Slavic peoples, where the word cognate blavor refers to legless lizards or water demons. In Bulgaria, related lore describes lam'a spirits drawing water from the sea to fill clouds, showing regional variation in weather demon beliefs.

What people believe

The balaur exists within a worldview where natural forces are personified as dangerous spirits. Air-dwelling types cause storms when they clash, while land types hoard wealth. The belief that stones form from dragon saliva links the creature to geological wonders. Solomonari represent human mastery over these chaotic forces, riding the dragons rather than fighting them.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Linguists debate the etymology, with some favoring an Illyrian origin and others proposing a Latin root via Balkan Romance. Folklorists categorize balauri into water, land, and air types. Researchers note the confusion between balaur and zmeu in different tellings. The widespread belief in stone-producing snakes is documented from England to China, highlighting shared mythic motifs.

Compare and confuse

The balaur is often confused with the zmeu, a giant figure with pebbly tails. It shares traits with the pan-Slavic air and water demon hala or ala. The Greek hydra and Cerberus provide comparative models for multi-headed serpents. The Bulgarian lam'a offers a parallel weather spirit that manipulates rain and clouds.

Today

The name balaur lives on in popular culture, naming a theropod dinosaur and appearing in video games like Aion and Star Trek Online. Television series use the alias Mr. Balaur for villains. The creature remains a symbol of Romanian heritage, referenced in linguistic studies and modern media adaptations.

Questions people ask about Balaur

Good reading and sources

• Balaur on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data