Kul

Kul Europe
The Siryan water spirit, an evil being living in deep waters. It had a human shape. Among neighbouring peoples, however, Kul-jungk or ‘fish spirit’ did not have a malevolent character, but was regarded as the genius of fishes. Immemorial custom decreed that on the breaking up of the ice on rivers, in late spring, a fish-like image made of wood or birch bark be taken along to the fishing place. Thus a portion of the first catch was dedicated to the fish god, who like the bear god Leib-olmai assisted northern men in their hard struggle for survival.