Chernabog

Chernabog is a fictional character who appears in the "Night on Bald Mountain" scene of Walt Disney's Fantasia (1940). He is a nocturnal demon who holds power over various restless souls whom he summons from their graves. He is considered among the most visually impressive characters appearing in Disney's films. Bela Lugosi served as a live action model for Chernabog. Lugosi spent several days at the Disney studios, where he was filmed doing evil, demon-like poses for the animators to use as a reference. Animator Vladimir Bill Tytla[?] (October 25, 1904 - December 30, 1968) then used his own idea of how a demon should look to draw Chernabog. Chernabog's creation is considered a highlight of his creativity. Tytla was from Ukraine and he probably sought inspiration from the folklore of this region. The name Chernabog itself seems to be of Slavic origin. It has been theorised that it derives either from "Chernobog", meaning "Black God" or from "Chorni-bok", meaning "Black Art" (another name for "black Magic").

Links

• A more detailed profile of Chernabog: http://disney.go.com/disneyatoz/archives/villains/chernabog/chernabog
• An image gallery deticated to Chernabog: http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/1622/Chernabog
• An analysis of Chernabog as a Disney "villain": http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Alley/5658/fantasia
• A site devoted to his creator Vladimir "Bill" Tytla: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Academy/5308/
• His creator's profile in the Internet Movie Database: http://us.imdb.com/Name?Tytla,+Bill
• A text presenting Chernobog and other Slavic Gods: http://www.ibiblio.org/sergei/Dazhdbog
• A site devoted to Slavic Pagan beliefs that includes references to Chernobog though with alternate spellings: http://members.aol.com/HPSofSNERT/beli
• A list of Slavic gods with an explanation. Includes Chernobog: http://members.aol.com/purging/ptp2/slavic.htm