Hippopotamus Tonya – Legends and Beliefs

In the courtyard of the Philological Faculty of St. Petersburg State University, there is a remarkable monument depicting a hippopotamus named Tonya. It turns out that she is considered a bearer of luck for students and promises marriage to girls if they know which ear of the charming animal to rub. In many cultures around the world, the hippopotamus symbolizes power and prosperity. This belief has also touched St. Petersburg, even though these animals have never lived here. The idea to install the monument in the courtyard of SPbU belongs to the dean of the Philological Faculty, Sergey Bogdanov, while the sculpture was created by Vladimir Petrovichev. Since 2005, this monument has become surrounded by beliefs and legends.

One of these beliefs is described on a nearby plaque that reads: “According to legend, a girl who dreams of finding a fiancé should hold on to the right ear of the hippopotamus, and a young man, if he wants to find a bride, should hold on to the left ear.” The backstory of this legend is as follows: once, in the 18th century, a young couple in love was separated by parents who disapproved of their union. The girl, despairing and feeling she could not live without her beloved, threw herself into the Neva River, and the young man jumped after her... However, a miracle happened to the lovers here: it is said that at that time, hippos lived in the cold waters of the Neva. The girl grabbed the right ear of one of the hippos, and the young man held onto the left ear, after which the hippopotamus carried them to the surface, thus saving both their lives.