Legends of Lake Synevyr
- Main
- >
- Slavic Mythology
- >
- Slavic Myths, Legends, and Folktales
- >
- Legends of Lake Synevyr
Legends of Lake SynevyrLake Synevyr is one of Ukraine's oldest natural bodies of water. It is also called the Eye of the Sea, or the Pearl of the Carpathians. Anyone who sees this lake for the first time will be struck not only by its beauty, but also by the legends that shroud the mystery of its origin.
Legends of Lake SynevyrOne such legend tells of the Mochar marsh and a group of bogatyrs (mighty warrior-heroes) who raised livestock and hunted in the Carpathian forests. An unknown evil force placed a curse upon them. Only one survived — a man named Synevyr. The bogatyr returned home, but grief awaited him there too: his only daughter had been claimed by the Mochar marsh. Overcome with rage, the bogatyr began smashing everything around him, hurling boulders into the marsh, until one of them broke through and opened a stream, from which a beautiful, clear lake eventually emerged. This lake was named in honor of the grieving bogatyr — Synevyr.
Legends of Lake SynevyrAnother, more widespread legend tells of a wealthy count and his beautiful daughter, Syn. Her mother had given her that name for her strikingly blue eyes. One day, while touring the estate, the girl left her father's side and followed the enchanting sound of a sopilka (a wooden flute) that called to her. The musician turned out to be a young shepherd named Vyr. The girl and the young man fell in love with each other at first sight. But their happiness did not last long.
Legends of Lake SynevyrThe father learned of the lovers and, unable to accept that his only daughter had fallen in love with a mere shepherd, ordered a boulder to be dropped on the young man. When Syn learned of this tragedy, she rushed to the stone and embraced it. The girl grieved and wept at that spot for so long that a lake formed from her tears, surrounding the boulder on all sides and forming an island at its center. The lake's water remains as clear as a grieving lover's tears to this day, and as blue as the night sky. The lake was named in honor of the ill-fated lovers — Synevyr.
Related Articles
