Polkan

For the village in Iran, see Polkan, Iran.

Polkan or Palkan (Russian: Полка́н or Палкан, from the Italian Pulicane) is a half-human, half-horse creature (in some variants, half-dog) from Russian folktales, known for his immense power and speed. In folk etymology, his name is interpreted as полуконь (polukon, meaning half-horse). He initially appears as the enemy of the hero Bova Korolevich, but after a battle, he becomes Bova's loyal friend and ally. He eventually dies fighting lions while protecting Bova's wife and children.

Prince Bova fights Polkan.

A depiction of a polka on the lid of a chest

Polkan is originally based on Pulicane, a half-dog character from Andrea da Barberino's poem I Reali di Francia, which was once popular in the Slavonic world through prosaic translations.

In the 19th century, 'Polkan' became a popular name for guard dogs.

See also

• Bova Korolevich
• Centaur