The Rusalka Another well-known spirit is the Rusalka. She is the spirit of a young woman who drowned. People that have seen her say she has long wet hair that never dries. The Rusalka lives at the bottom of lakes, rivers or streams, but when there is a new moon she comes out to a nearby forest or meadow. There, she sits on a tree and combs her hair or dances in circles with other Rusalkas. When the Rusalka sees a handsome man she sings beautiful songs to him and leads him to the bottom of the river or lake where he drowns.