A Russian mythical witch, commonly known as Baba Yaga, holds a prominent place in Russian folklore. Baba Yaga is portrayed as an elderly woman who resides in a hut, typically located deep within a dense forest. The hut stands on chicken legs, capable of moving and turning around. This mystical dwelling is often surrounded by a fence made of human bones with skulls topping the posts. Among her distinctive traits, Baba Yaga is usually depicted with a long, crooked nose, disheveled hair, and long, bony fingers. She is seen as a complex and ambiguous character in Russian mythology.

Sagehen — who knew? A Story Safari™

I discovered a new word the other day, in something one of my writers posted: sagehen. SA-geh-hen? Nope, SAGE-hen. Clearly I was on the trail of a Story Safari™.

Writer Anne Lamott, in her invaluable book Bird by Bird, talks about carrying index cards wherever she goes. Folded lengthwise and stuck in her back pocket, if you really need to know. My stay-at-home version of that is browser tabs.

Today we’re taking a journey into the tab that begins “The History,” wherein you will find the story of Cecil the Sagehen, the mascot of Pomona College in California.

The first mention of a sage hen in connection with Pomona athletics occurred in the student newspaper about 100 years ago:

“The Sage Hen will fight — on the field. On the campus she is entirely amicable.”

I thought perhaps that Pomona had been established as a women’s college—hence, the adoption of a hen mascot. I imagined that after the college started admitting men, the mascot got rechristened as a male.

But, no—Pomona was founded as a coeducational college, back in the 1880s. Wikipedia tells us that its founder believed in educational equity. And its commitment to diversity continues today.

Story Safari™ lands a sagehen

But how did the sage hen become the Pomona College mascot? And when did it lose the space between the two words? I can guess at an answer for the second question: At some point it ran into an editor trained in the Chicago Manual of Style.

As for the first, one story holds that a collegiate sportswriter who meant to write about the sage (wise) Huns typed hens instead. To this day, the college website defends the honor of its early 20th century proofreaders and points out the distance an errant finger would have to travel to type E instead of U. Although the story may be apocryphal, the college offers no alternative explanation.

Still, I like the idea of sagehens as a college mascot. Apparently young sage grouse are remarkably self-sufficient. Wikipedia again:

“Chicks can walk as soon as they are hatched and are able to fly short distances within two weeks. Within five weeks they are able to fly longer distances.”

And isn’t that one of the reasons colleges exist? To equip young people to navigate the wider world, as quickly and effectively as possible. And that wider meaning turns this from an interesting bit of trivia into a full-fledged Story Safari.

7 Weirdest College Mascots in California

Colleges in California boast an array of quirky mascots. From poets to banana slugs, here are the seven weirdest college mascots in the Golden State.

Danika Miller is a senior writer at BestColleges and Accredited Schools Online. Her writing has also appeared in Grad School Hub, Best Value Schools, Affordable Colleges Online, and Her Campus. Her financial expertise has been featured in The Simple .

Hannah Muniz is a senior editor with BestColleges, specializing in college planning, test prep, student life, and sponsored content. She previously worked as a freelance writer, composing articles on the SAT/ACT, higher education, language learning, .

Danika Miller is a senior writer at BestColleges and Accredited Schools Online. Her writing has also appeared in Grad School Hub, Best Value Schools, Affordable Colleges Online, and Her Campus. Her financial expertise has been featured in The Simple .

Hannah Muniz is a senior editor with BestColleges, specializing in college planning, test prep, student life, and sponsored content. She previously worked as a freelance writer, composing articles on the SAT/ACT, higher education, language learning, .

www.bestcolleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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College mascots embody the spirits of their universities, shaping campus cultures and inspiring traditions. And sometimes, they're super, super weird.

Here are seven of the weirdest college mascots in California, from a famous Ivy League shrub to an obscure nautical figurehead. Whether or not you let these quirky campus heroes influence your college decision is up to you!

She is seen as a complex and ambiguous character in Russian mythology. Baba Yaga can be portrayed as either a helpful and wise figure or a malevolent and malicious witch, depending on the circumstances. Traditionally, she is neither completely good nor evil.

1. Tree — Stanford University

Technically Stanford doesn't have an official mascot. However, its (very legitimate) unofficial mascot is a tree.

What began as a mascot for the school's band, the Stanford Tree grew in popularity among students, eventually becoming an important symbol for the university. Students hoping to don the iconic evergreen mascot costume must undergo a rigorous selection process.

What's more, the Stanford Tree even has its own Twitter account.

She is known to have a penchant for mischief, often playing tricks on humans who dare to enter her domain. Baba Yaga can be seen as a test for those who seek her help, requiring them to complete various tasks before granting their desires. Baba Yaga is renowned for her magical abilities. She possesses a mortar and pestle, which she uses to fly across the sky. The pestle acts as an oar, while the mortar serves as a vessel. Baba Yaga can control these objects with ease, maneuvering them through the air swiftly and navigating with precision. Additionally, she is a master of spells and potions, capable of casting curses or giving advice and protection. The presence of Baba Yaga in Russian folklore is a testament to the culture's deep-rooted beliefs in the supernatural and their connection to nature. She personifies the wild, mysterious forces of the forest and serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between humans and the natural world. Her portrayal as a witch reflects the fear and fascination that humans have towards the unknown and their attempt to understand and navigate its complexities. Over time, Baba Yaga has become an integral part of not only Russian folklore but also popular culture globally. She has been featured in various literary works, films, and artwork, capturing the imagination of people worldwide. Baba Yaga stands as a symbol of the power and mystique that witches hold in human society, evoking both intrigue and caution. Her enduring presence continues to captivate and inspire generations, ensuring that the mythical witch of Russian folklore lives on..

Reviews for "Baba Yaga: A Feminist Icon of Russian Folklore"

1) Emily - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Russian mythical witch". The concept sounded interesting, but the execution was terrible. The animation was lackluster and the story was confusing and hard to follow. The characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting, and I couldn't find myself invested in their journey. Overall, this film failed to capture my attention and I would not recommend it.

2) Mark - 2 stars - I found "Russian mythical witch" to be quite underwhelming. The animation quality was subpar and there were numerous plot holes throughout the film. The pacing was also very slow, making it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, the voice acting felt flat and uninspired. While the premise had potential, the execution fell short, leaving me unsatisfied as a viewer.

3) Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Russian mythical witch", but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations. The storyline lacked depth and failed to fully explore the fascinating world of Russian mythology. The characters felt underdeveloped and their motivations were unclear. The animation style also didn't resonate with me, as it seemed outdated and unappealing. Overall, I felt let down by this film and would not recommend it to others.

The Russian Witchcraft Code: Unraveling the Rules and Ethics