zmei

Zmei is a term in Slavic folklore and language used to designate a dragon or serpent-like creature. Across East Slavic and Balkan traditions, zmei denotes a powerful being, frequently hostile to humans. In many tales a zmei is a dragon that guards treasure, abducts maidens, or confronts heroes such as bogatyrs or Ivan Tsarevich. Common features include a serpentine body, multiple heads (three, seven, or more), and magical abilities; some versions grant it breath, frost, or shape-shifting powers.

A recurring motif is that cutting off one head may cause two to grow back, requiring cunning, magical weapons, or loyal helpers to defeat the creature. The Zmey Gorynych, a well-known example from Russian folklore, is a multi-headed dragon that appears in many legends; similar variations occur throughout Slavic cultures. In Bulgarian, Serbian, and other traditions, zmei likewise appears as a formidable foe in heroic cycles and is sometimes tied to dragon-slaying narratives.

In modern usage, the term zmei persists in folklore studies, regional literature, film, games, and popular culture to denote dragons or dragon-like beings. The figure is often juxtaposed with benevolent spirits or with other serpentine beings found in adjacent mythologies.