Cikavac
In its own language: цикавац
A winged creature from Serbian folklore that fetches honey and milk for its owner
The cikavac is a mythical bird-like being in Serbian tradition. It is said to be created through a specific ritual involving an egg from a black hen. The creature serves its master by gathering resources like honey and milk.
- A winged bird-like creature from Serbian folklore
- Created by hatching a black hen's egg under an armpit
- Requires 40 days of no washing, praying, or nail cutting
- Sucks honey from hives and milk from cattle
- Grants the owner the ability to understand animal speech
What it is
The cikavac is a legendary creature found in Serbian folklore. It is described as a winged animal, often imagined as a bird with a long beak and a pouch similar to that of a pelican. This being is not a wild animal but a magical servant acquired through a specific folk ritual. It is believed to possess the ability to understand the language of animals and to grant wishes to its owner.
Where it comes from
The origin of the cikavac lies in traditional Serbian myth. It is created rather than born naturally. The process begins with obtaining an egg from a black hen. This egg is then kept warm under a woman's armpit for forty days. During this entire period, the woman must follow strict prohibitions: she cannot confess sins, cut her nails, wash her face, or pray. After forty days, the creature emerges.
How it is done
The creation of a cikavac requires a woman to carry an egg from a black hen under her arm for forty days. She must abstain from washing her face, cutting her nails, praying, or confessing during this time. Once hatched, the creature acts as a servant. It flies to other people's beehives to suck honey and visits cattle to take their milk. It brings these gathered goods back to its owner.
Tools and materials
The primary tool for summoning a cikavac is an egg laid by a black hen. The creature itself uses its long beak and pelican-like sack to collect honey and milk. It does not use external tools but relies on its own body to gather resources from other households.
Cikavac, drawn and placed
- Living
- Revived
- Fading
- Historical
- Legendary
- Performed
- Lineage
- Serbian mythology
- Timing
- 40 days of incubation
What it is for
People sought a cikavac to gain wealth and special abilities. The creature would fulfill the owner's wishes and provide them with honey and milk without cost. Additionally, it was believed to give the owner the power to understand the language of animals, allowing for communication with beasts.
Who does it
The ritual to create a cikavac was performed by women in household settings. The woman carried the egg under her armpit, acting as an incubator. She had to maintain a state of ritual purity by avoiding common daily activities like washing or praying. This practice belongs to folk magic rather than organized religion.
At a glance: who, where and when
Peoples
Belief worlds
Questions people ask about Cikavac
What is a cikavac?
It is a mythical winged creature from Serbian folklore. It is imagined as a bird with a long beak and a pouch, serving as a magical servant to its owner.
How do you get a cikavac?
You must take an egg from a black hen and carry it under your armpit for forty days. During this time, you must not wash your face, cut your nails, pray, or confess.
What does a cikavac do?
It gathers honey from other beehives and milk from other cattle. It brings these items to its owner and can also fulfill their wishes.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Cikavac", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.
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