00:10The Aitvaras is a creature with origins in Lithuanian mythology, legend and folklore,
00:16variously described as a cockerel or as a flying dragon with the head of a snake and a fiery tail.
00:22This creature is known in different other names, such as, Corkas, Damavikas, Spiresias, Koklikas, Gausenlis, Zoltvikas, and Spirukas.
00:34It is also identical to the Latvian creature called Pukis.
00:38The Aitvaras is a Lithuanian household spirit that takes the form of household objects or the form of a black,
00:45fiery-tailed rooster, while indoors.
00:47But the moment it goes outdoors, whoosh!
00:51It transforms into a black dragon or fiery-tailed lizard of about two feet long, with a serpentine body and
00:58four legs.
01:00In slightly distinct versions, it is a Lithuanian dragon that can shapeshift into a black cat, a rooster, or any
01:07other animal form it chooses.
01:09It was seen by some as a source of good luck and by others as a demonic's being.
01:14In some districts, the Aitvaras has wings and flies through the air, trailing fire.
01:20Whenever it pleases, the Aitvaras can shift between a black rooster and a dragon and can fly in either form.
01:27When flying, its tail resembles a comet, and it is often mistaken as such.
01:33It may hatch from an egg of a nine to twelve-year-old magical rooster, and if it dies it
01:38becomes a spark.
01:39The mischievous Aitvaras commonly will adopt a family it likes if it is enticed into it.
01:45And once it lodges itself in a house, it will never leave, which means you're stuck with it, forever.
01:52And that doesn't sound good.
01:54Anyway, the good side is that its presence brings riches into the household it belongs.
01:59When fed on omelettes, the bird will steal food, money, and other valuables from neighboring houses, most commonly, the rich
02:08ones, to provide for its family.
02:10And the bad side?
02:12Well, the bad side is that first, it gets the inhabitants of the house into trouble, as all its provisions
02:19are stolen items.
02:20And secondly, the Aitvaras services come at the cost of the souls of the family.
02:26Some versions of the myth state that it is a tempter, and will gradually take the souls of everyone in
02:31the household.
02:32An Aitvaras can be purchased from the devil, but the price is the buyer's soul.
02:37That is to say that such a bird can only be obtained in exchange for giving one's soul to the
02:43devil or in some extremely rare cases, it can be reared from an egg laid by a 9-15 year
02:48old magical cockerel.
02:50Once bought or adopted, it is nearly impossible to get rid of.
02:54And if injured, it can be healed just by touching the ground.
02:57Due to the earlier mentioned characteristics and behavior of this creature, many people viewed association with the Aitvaras as a
03:05form of sorcery, black magic or witchcraft.
03:12The Aitvaras is a form of sorcery, black magic, and a human being.
03:12The Aitvaras is a form of sorcery, black magic, and a human being.
03:18The Aitvaras is a form of sorcery, black magic, and a human being.
03:19The Aitvaras is a form of sorcery, black magic, and a human being.
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