Vodník v české kultuře, zvláště v literatuře<br>The Water Spirit (<em>vodník</em>) in Czech Cultural Tradition, Especially in Literature</br>

Abstract

The article is focused on the character of the in Czech cultural tradition. Here, the water spirit is emancipated from the framework of mythological (demonological) characters and has achieved an autonomous status. The article studies the reasons and the history of the process of demythologization, as expressed in art, mainly in literature and in the fine arts, and the resulting status of the water spirit as a polysemous symbol in the Czech cultural landscape.