Xana

The Xana (sometimes Jana) is a character found in Asturian mythology. The origin of the Asturian word xana is unclear, though some scholars see it as a derivation from the Latin name for the goddess Diana. References to where the mythological xanas lived are still common in Asturian toponyms. They also appear in Eastern Galician mythology.

Myths & Legends
A xana can be a beneficial spirit, offering love water to travelers and rewards of gold or silver to those found worthy through some undefined judgment. While other xanas may attack people and steal their food. They live in fountains and caves.

The stories about xanas can be divided into four broad categories:
 * First, stories in which the xana has a child. In these stories, the xana switches her baby for that of another woman.
 * Second, stories of xanas who suffer from a curse. In these stories, an act performed according to a secret law can disenchant them.
 * Third, xanas who possess treasures and riches. The xana may have acquired the riches accidentally, or through donation or theft; sometimes the human character of the tale obtains the treasure, but most of the times he does not.
 * Finally, stories about xanas who are malicious. The most important tales of this category are those in which the xana enters a home through a keyhole; those in which the xana takes and enchants someone; those in which the xana transforms into animals; and those in which the xana provides a magic belt.

Abilities
Their hypnotic voices can be heard during spring and summer nights. Those who have a pure soul and hear the song will be filled with a sense of peace and love. Those whose souls are not pure will feel they are being suffocated and may be driven insane.

Appearance
Always female, she is a creature of extraordinary beauty believed to live in fountains, rivers, waterfalls or forested regions with pure water. Xanas are usually depicted in one of two ways. In one, they appear as young Nordic girls, very beautiful, with long blonde hair. She is usually described as small or slender with long blonde or light brown hair (most often curly), which she tends to with gold or silver combs woven from sun or moonbeams. This image is usually associated with xanas who possess a treasure or those under a spell.

In contrast, in tales in which the xanas steal children and enter homes to bite or steal, the xanas are small, thin and dark-colored.

Similar and related myths

 * Anjana, a similar water dwelling and forest spirit of Cantabrian mythology.
 * Jana, a similar water dwelling and forest spirit of Leonese mythology.
 * Mora, a similar water dwelling spirit of Aragonese mythology.