Xana

What it is

The xana is a mythical female being found in the folklore of Asturias. She lives near pure water sources like fountains, rivers, and waterfalls. People believe she possesses extraordinary beauty and can grant wealth to those she deems worthy. However, she is also dangerous. Her voice can soothe the pure-hearted but suffocate and drive the impure insane. She is known for hiding treasures and sometimes attacking people to steal their food.

Where it comes from

The word xana appears in Asturian toponyms, marking places where these spirits were thought to dwell. The etymology is uncertain, though some researchers suggest it derives from the Latin name for the goddess Diana. Similar figures appear in Eastern Galician and Cantabrian myths, where they are called Anjanas. These connections show how the legend spread across northern Spain.

Tools and materials

Xanas are associated with love water and precious metals like gold and silver. To detect a changeling, families use egg shells and pots near a fire. If the fairy child is present, it will reveal its age by complaining about seeing so many egg shells after supposedly living for a century.

What it is for

Stories focus on the xana's dual nature. She rewards purity with peace and treasure but punishes impurity with madness. Some tales involve breaking spells through secret rituals. Others describe her stealing riches or transforming into animals. A common motif involves her entering homes through keyholes to enchant victims.

Peoples and places

The belief is rooted in Asturian culture, with variations found among Galician and Cantabrian communities. In literature, Cuban writer Daína Chaviano used the xana in her novel The Island of Eternal Love. American author Kelley Armstrong included characters believed to be xanas in her Darkness Rising series, linking them to genetic modification and water powers.

What people believe

Xanas are part of a folk worldview where nature spirits interact with humans. They have children called xaninos but cannot produce milk. This leads them to swap human babies for their own fairy offspring. The changelings grow rapidly, allowing humans to discover the switch. The belief system includes rules for detecting these swaps and breaking magical spells.

Compare and confuse

The xana is similar to other European water spirits and fairies. It shares traits with the Enchanted Moura of Galicia and Portugal. The name Zana and Zână appear in related regional myths. Like changelings elsewhere, the xana replaces human infants, creating a parallel between human and fairy family structures.

Questions people ask about Xana

Good reading and sources

• Xana on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data