Arçura is a forest spirit in Turkish and Chuvash mythology. It is also known by names such as Arçuray, Arçurı, Arsurı, and Arçuri. This entity is considered a demonic and malevolent character with supernatural powers. It holds an important place in Turkish folk beliefs and especially in Chuvash culture.
Arçura Representation (Generated with Artificial Intelligence)
Physical Characteristics and Behaviors
It has long hair, a dark appearance, and its entire body is covered in hair. It has four eyes, two in front and two behind. It has three arms and three legs. Its hair is long enough to touch the ground. It does not kill, but it harms people's bodies. There are male and female types. Disturbing this entity's comfort is dangerous. It demands sacrifices. There are also claims that it kills people by tickling them. It has red eyes. It likes to ride horses at night. It is often seen by girls combing their hair by the waterside at night. It changes shape by taking on any form it desires. In the blink of an eye, it can become a white-bearded old man, a catfish, a bird, a goat, etc. It calls people by laughing and talking with a sound like a slap. If anyone turns to look at this sound, it harms that person. It is believed to appear as a grizzled old man or a handsome young man. Sometimes it has three hands, three feet, and three eyes. It laughs in the forest and pulls out the teeth of the people it catches.【1】
According to Chuvash mythology, this being is "a tall entity with hair long enough to touch the ground. It throws its large, long, and dangling breasts backward over its shoulders. However, it is also envisioned in a male appearance." According to beliefs, this spirit does not kill people but harms their bodies. Arçura began to be considered an evil spirit in Chuvash beliefs after the adoption of Christianity. The success or failure of a hunt is attributed to it. It remembers those who call out to each other with disturbing sounds in the forest, then catches and tickles them to death. It is believed that the souls of those who die prematurely or not by natural causes transform into Arçuri after death.【2】
Etymology and Conceptual Connections
The root 'Ar' means "that which is behind, unseen". The 'Çurı' part implies "deficiency, incompleteness".
Similar Mythological Figures
Arçura is a figure with counterparts not only in Turkish mythology but also in world mythologies:
- Slavic Mythology – Leshy: Leshy is a forest spirit that can shapeshift into the form of an old man. It imitates people to trick them and cause them to get lost in the forest. Like Arçura, it calls people with laughter.
- Norse Mythology – Skogsrå: This forest spirit from Swedish folk beliefs appears as a beautiful woman from the front, but like a hollow tree trunk from behind. It targets only men, enchanting them and causing them to get lost.
- Celtic Mythology – Baobhan Sith: These vampire-like spirits from Scottish and Irish legends can shapeshift like Arçura and, with their deceptive beauty, lure people in the forest and drain their life energy.
- Japanese Mythology – Tengu: Tengu, nature spirits living in mountains and forests, are depicted in human form with bird-like features. They play tricks on people, test them, and mislead them with their voices. Under the influence of Buddhism, they gradually evolved into a demonic form. This situation bears a resemblance to Arçura being viewed as an evil entity after Christianity.
