# Bába Yagá — Russian Folktales character guide > Bába Yagá in Russian Folktales by A. N. Afanasyev. **Role:** major **Also known as:** the Bába Yagá **First appearance:** 0017-b-ba-yag-and-zamor-shek ## Snapshot A fearsome witch whose name frames the tale of Zamorýshek, the weakling brother who alone can catch the sea-mare stealing the family's hayricks. ## Who they are Bába Yagá looms over the story of the old couple who hatch forty-one sons from eggs, forty strong and one frail. While his brothers harvest and sleep, Zamorýshek stays home, forges unbreakable chains, and waits for the midnight mare that rises from the sea. Her presence signals the wild magic pressing at the edges of peasant life, and the tale's early tension lies in whether the overlooked son can master what his brothers cannot. ## Relationships ### [Vasilísa the Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/vasilisa_the_fair) _psychological_ Bába Yagá tests and torments Vasilísa, acting as a fearsome but sometimes instructive antagonist. ### [Vasilísa the Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/vasilisa_the_fair) _psychological_ Bába Yagá tests and torments Vasilísa, acting as a fearsome but sometimes instructive antagonist. ### [Vasilísa the Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/vasilisa_the_fair) _psychological_ Bába Yagá tests and torments Vasilísa, acting as a fearsome but sometimes instructive antagonist. ## In the story ### [Russian Folktales](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/russian-folktales) The iconic witch of Russian folklore, often a fearsome antagonist. ### [Bába Yagá and Zamorýshek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/b-ba-yag-and-zamor-shek) The antagonist who hosts the brothers, betroths them to her daughters, then orders their deaths; uses a fiery shield in pursuit. ### [By Command of the Prince Daniel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/by-command-of-the-prince-daniel) The evil witch who plots against the prince and his sister, and later tries to bake the sister in her oven. ### [Vasilísa the Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/vasil-sa-the-fair) The fearsome witch living in the forest who sets Vasilísa impossible tasks but is unable to harm her due to her mother's blessing. ### [Márya Moryévna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/m-rya-mory-vna) Powerful witch who owns a mare that circles the world; Iván serves her to earn a knightly horse. ### [The Realms of Copper, Silver and Gold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-realms-of-copper-silver-and-gold) The hut-dwelling witch who lends Iváshko her mighty eagle to fly back to Russia after he is betrayed. ### [Chufíl-Fílyushka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/chuf-l-f-lyushka) The Yagá-Búra who captures Fílyushka twice and is ultimately killed by him. ### [The Sea Tsar and Vasilísa the Wise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-sea-tsar-and-vasil-sa-the-wise) Forest witch who advises Iván on how to win Vasilísa by stealing her shirt. ### [The Legless Knight and the Blind Knight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-legless-knight-and-the-blind-knight) The ancient hag who sucks the blood of the merchant's daughter; captured by the legless and blind knights. ### [General Notes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/general-notes) Noted for the revolving house legend, cognate with magic wheels and whirling ramparts in Celtic mythology. ### [Glossary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/glossary) Defined as a Russian witch, also known as Yagá-Búra. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/endnotes) Referenced as an equivalent to the mythological figure in the notes. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/baba_yaga - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters