Sanziana

Sanziana is the romanian name for a type of gentle fairy from the local folklore. The name comes from latin, Sancta Diana, the goddess of hunt and moon. These fairies are celebrated on the 24th of June, a holiday with ancient pagan roots, probably a celebration of summer solstice. It marks the middle of the year. There are a lot of myths and beliefs linked to this day, that have to do with fertility, agriculture and love. The girls in the village used to dress in white and pick yellow bedstraw, and make crowns which they would wear at nightfall. It is the night when the sky opens up, a truly magical night.
The Sanziana I depicted is holding in her hands 2 magical disks, symbolizing the sun and moon; the design is inspired by Romanian traditional woodwork.

Entry for Character Design Challenge on Facebook, July theme Fairies Kingdom