Russian Folktales · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Russian Folktales by A. N. Afanasyev.
Iván Tsarévich
major
Also known as Iván, Tsarévich, young Iván Tsarévich
A prince who undertakes quests, battles monsters, and wins princesses.
Bába Yagá
major
Also known as the Bába Yagá
A fearsome witch who lives in a hut on chicken legs and aids or tests heroes.
Vasilísa the Fair
major
Also known as Vasilísa
A beautiful and clever maiden who overcomes trials with kindness and magic.
Ilyá Múromets
major
Also known as Ilyá
A legendary knight and hero who defends Russia from monsters and enemies.
Alyósha Popóvich
supporting
Also known as Alyósha
A bold and cunning knight, often companion to Ilyá Múromets.
Koshchéy
major
Also known as Koshchéy the Deathless, the Deathless
An immortal sorcerer who kidnaps princesses and must be outwitted.
Márya Moryévna
supporting
A warrior princess who captures and imprisons Koshchéy.
The Grey Wolf
supporting
Also known as Wolf, the Wolf, fierce grey Wolf
A magical wolf who aids Iván Tsarévich with advice and speed.
Vasilísa the Wise
supporting
Also known as Vasilísa
A clever princess who solves riddles and helps the Sea Tsar's hero.
The Sea Tsar
supporting
Also known as Tsar, the Tsar
Ruler of the underwater realm who sets tasks for heroes.
Ivánushka
supporting
Also known as Ványa
A simpleton or youngest son who often succeeds through luck or kindness.
Mark the Rich
supporting
Also known as Mark
A wealthy merchant whose greed leads to adventures and lessons.
Sorrow
supporting
A personified force of grief that clings to a man until outwitted.
The Nightingale Robber
supporting
Also known as Nightingale, Nightingale Robber
A monstrous bandit who kills with his whistle, defeated by Ilyá Múromets.
Svyatogór
minor
A giant knight of immense strength who mentors Ilyá Múromets.
Tsar Angéy
supporting
Also known as Angéy, the Tsar
A proud tsar humbled by a prophecy and a magical punishment.
Donotknow
supporting
A mysterious boy who answers every question with 'I don't know'.
Chufíl - Fílyushka
minor
Also known as Fílyushka, little Chufíl
A small, clever creature who helps or tricks other characters.
Zamorýshek
minor
A tiny but resourceful boy who outwits Bába Yagá.
The Woodsprite
minor
Also known as Woodsprite, Wood Sprite
A forest spirit who misleads travelers or tests their wits.
Princess Eléna the Fair
supporting
Also known as Eléna, Eléna the Fair
A beautiful princess sought by many suitors, often in peril.
The Bear
minor
Also known as Bear, Mr. Bear
A talking bear who appears in animal tales, sometimes helpful or foolish.
The Fox
minor
Also known as Mr. Fox, the Vixen
A cunning fox who tricks other animals in folktales.
The Wolf
minor
Also known as Wolf, Mr. Wolf
A hungry wolf often outwitted by other animals or humans.
The Cock
minor
Also known as Cock
A rooster who appears in tales as a brave or foolish bird.
The Goose
minor
Also known as Goose, Geese
Geese that sometimes carry children or appear in magical tales.
The Ram
minor
Also known as Ram
A ram that appears in animal stories, often as a victim or trickster.
The Bull
minor
Also known as Bull
A bull that features in tales of strength or sacrifice.
The Pig
minor
Also known as Pig
A pig that appears in humorous or moral animal tales.
The Dog
minor
Also known as Dog
A dog that appears in tales of loyalty or foolishness.
The Cat
minor
A cat that appears in animal tales, often clever or lazy.
The Ox
minor
Also known as Ox
An ox that appears in tales of work or sacrifice.
The Swan
minor
Also known as Swan, Swan-bird
A magical swan that appears in transformation tales.
Crow Crowson
minor
Also known as Vóron Vóronovich
A talking crow who delivers messages or aids heroes.
The Sun
minor
Also known as Sun
Personified sun that appears in creation or quest tales.
The Moon
minor
Also known as Moon
Personified moon that appears in folktales alongside the sun.
Death
supporting
Personified death who is tricked or bargained with by soldiers.
The Devil
minor
Also known as Devil
A devil who tempts or is outwitted by humans in moral tales.
St. Nicholas
supporting
Also known as Nicholas, Saint Nicholas
A saint who helps the poor and punishes the greedy in tales.
Elijah the Prophet
minor
Also known as Elijah, St. Elijah
A prophet who rides a chariot and brings thunder or blessings.
Christ
supporting
Also known as Jesus Christ
Jesus appears in folktales as a wandering teacher or miracle worker.
The Brother of Christ
minor
Also known as Brother
A figure who travels with Christ and learns humility.
Alexander of Macedon
minor
Also known as Alexander, Tsar Alexander of Macedon
The historical conqueror appears in a legendary Russian tale.
Iván the Terrible
minor
Also known as Iván III
The tsar appears in historical legends and folktales.
Prince Vladímir
supporting
Also known as Vladímir, Prince
The prince of Kíev who hosts heroes and feasts.
The Tsarítsa Harpist
minor
Also known as Tsarítsa, old Tsarítsa
A tsaritsa who plays the harp and solves riddles.
The Potter
minor
Also known as Potter
A potter who outwits a devil or a tsar in a tale.
The Smith
minor
Also known as Smith, Wayland Smith
A blacksmith who forges magical items or tricks devils.
The Judge
minor
Also known as Judge Shemyák
A corrupt or foolish judge in satirical tales.
The General
minor
A military officer who appears in tales of soldiers and tsars.
The Servant
minor
A loyal or clever servant who aids a master in tales.
The Master
minor
Also known as master
A generic master figure in tales of servants and animals.
The Priest
minor
Also known as a priest who lived in the parish of St. Nicholas
A priest who appears in tales of faith or greed.
The Soldier
supporting
A common soldier who outwits death, devils, or tsars.
The Tsar
supporting
Also known as Tsar, O Tsar
A generic tsar who sets tasks or rewards heroes.
The Tsarévna
minor
Also known as Tsarévna
A generic princess who marries the hero.
The Boy
minor
A young boy who appears as a protagonist in several tales.
The Fair Maiden
minor
A generic beautiful maiden who is rescued or sought.
The Cossack
minor
Also known as Cossack
A Cossack warrior who appears in adventure tales.
The Old Woman
minor
Also known as Babushka
An old woman who gives advice or magical gifts.
The Old Man
minor
An old man who appears as a helper or father figure.
The Youngest Son
minor
A youngest son who succeeds where older brothers fail.
The Stepmother
minor
A cruel stepmother who mistreats her stepchildren.
The Witch
minor
A witch who casts spells or threatens children.
The Dragon
minor
Also known as Chúdo-Yúda
A multi-headed dragon that battles heroes.
The Firebird
minor
Also known as Bird of Light
A magical bird with glowing feathers, sought by princes.
The Talking Bird
minor
Also known as Talking-Bird
A bird that speaks and reveals secrets or truths.
The Singing Tree
minor
A magical tree that sings and is sought by heroes.
The Crystal Apple
minor
A magical apple that reveals distant lands or truths.
The Silver Saucer
minor
A magical saucer that shows visions of the world.
The Dun Cow
minor
A magical cow that provides endless milk or aid.
The Miraculous Hen
minor
A hen that lays golden eggs or grants wishes.
The Pike
minor
A magical pike that grants wishes when caught and released.
Emelya
minor
A lazy peasant who catches a magical pike and gains wishes.
The Fool
minor
A simpleton who succeeds through luck or innocence.
The King
minor
A generic king who appears in various folktales.
The Queen
minor
A generic queen who appears in various folktales.
The Prince
minor
A generic prince who marries a princess or goes on quests.
The Princess
minor
A generic princess who is rescued or marries a hero.
