Zmeu
A ghostly vampirelike figure found in Moldavia. The zmeu took the form of a long flame that each
night entered the room of a young girl or widow. Once inside, the flame became a man, who
promptly seduced the female. Among the Transylvanians, the zmeu was found in the shape of a young
girl, a maiden of the woods who had no back. She tempted shepherds by offering to lead them and
their sheep to the green pastures if they would make love to her. The recommended way of
preserving one's virtue in this case was to carry a mixture of garlic, celandine (an herb from
the poppy family), and candle wax.