On the Marbendill
With the upper body of a man and the lower body of a seal (in some modern depictions, just a fish tail), the Icelandic Marbendill resembles a classical European merman.
But they distinguish themselves by being benevolent beings rather than murderous monsters that drag sailors to a watery death. The Marbendill are wise and intelligent. These creatures are described in Landnámabók, a 13th century medieval work about the colonization of Iceland.
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On the Pooka
Also spelled Puca, this Irish Fairy is one to fear because he appears after nightfall and can transform its shape into all manner of horrific forms. There are various tales of the Pooka which tell of its ability to change into bats, eagles, dogs, goats or black horses. In the middle of the night, the Pooka may destroy crops and terrify livestock, but not all stories are negative.
In Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of Ireland, written by Lady Wilde in 1887, she writes about how a Pooka helped a young man named Phadrig enjoy a life filled with joy and prosperity. He made friends with the spirit who in turn helped thresh the corn. Phadrig was so happy that he created a special suit of clothes for the Pooka.
The spirit disappeared, but on the day of Phadrig’s wedding, he found a goblet of wine. Phadrig guessed it was a gift from his old friend and drank it. He married his bride and enjoyed happiness and prosperity for the rest of his days.
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On Grýla
In Icelandic folklore, Grýla is a horrifying giantess living in the mountains of Iceland. She can be compared to the Austrian Krampus.
She has a keen sense of hearing and – though she can detect misbehaving kids at any time of the year – is said to take them and eat them during Yuletide, making a stew from their wicked flesh.
Her appetite is insatiable, but some elders say that there was never a shortage of food supplies for her.
However the story is no more – the legend was brought to a halt when a 1746 public decree prohibited parents from traumatising their kids with the tale any longer.
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On Hulda
Frigg is the name used in the North (Scandinavia), Holla/Frau Holle/Hulda in Germany and Perchta in parts of southern Germany and Austria.
Frigg/Holle uses a spindle to spin the thread of destiny. The thread is used by the Norns to weave the Wyrd, the destiny of mankind. The Norns are allowed to weave all year round, while the spinning wheel of Frigg is standing still during the "Rauhnächte" (her holy days around Yule/January 6th) where she joins her husband Odin/Wotan in the wild hunt.
Especially during this time of the year, in the alpine region, furious storms caused people to be afraid; that increased their fear of evil, dark creatures, or ghosts haunting in the night. Thus they made creepy costumes themselves and lots of noise to scare away the evil spirits.
Today this is still practised as a tradition in Austria, known as "Perchtenlauf". People celebrate their victory with fireworks and ringing bells, making lots of noise.
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On the Buttnmandllauf
In the area around the Bavarian town of Berchtesgaden there exists a rather unique Yule tradition, which is done in December: the Buttnmandllauf.
Men will dress up as so called Buttnmandl (straw spirits), Krampus (forest/winter demon) and Gankerl (forest demons) and move in a big procession through town and fields.
The men will meet before noon and dress up as the various figures. Afterwards the various groups will move from house to house.
The Christians added their own figures to this Pagan tradition, as the figure of Saint Nikolaus will lead the procession.
It is said that the tradition will bring a rich harvest and protect from evil spirits.
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A dragons tale
Once a beautiful princess was carried off the Germanic coast by a sea dragon and held captive in its hidden den.
The princess saved her life by conjuring the beast to sleep until somebody would rescue her.
It is said, that the greatest scout found her, the best thief snatched her away from the den and the greatest hunter vanquished the dragon.
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Illustration by Judy King-Rieniets
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On the Wolpertinger
This mythological hybrid mammal has a body comprising various animal parts — generally wings, antlers, tails and fangs.
The most widespread description portrays the Wolpertinger as having the head of a rabbit, the body of a squirrel, the antlers of a deer, and the wings and occasionally the legs of a pheasant.
According to a Bavarian legend, Wolpertingers are considered very shy. The legend also says that one must be drunk in order to see them. Wolpertingers are said to be attracted to the scents of the Brewfest.
A drunk hunter can track them using beast tracking. Another hunting method consists in catching them with some salt put on their tail. What is known is that taxidermists began to compose creatures in the 19th century from different animals and sell them to gullible tourists.
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Story that the wren betrayed the hiding place of St Stephen, the 1st martyr, by chattering on the bush where he was hiding. A betrayal which led to the saint being stoned to death. This is one of several stories about why Wren Day occurs (on 26 Dec in Ireland)!
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Wren Day celebrated on St Stephens Day (26 Dec). Fake wren is put on top of a decorated pole & 'hunted'! Crowds of mummers/strawboys dress up in straw suits, form music bands & parade. Crowds called wren boys.
Dingle, Co Kerry, Ireland.
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Artist of the Boston Ballet troupe Tyson Ali Clark performs "Trepak" (Russian Dance)
🔻Трепак is one of the most famous and dynamic traditional Russian folk dances.
Key Characteristics:
- Energetic tempo - Fast, lively music usually in 2/4 time
- Male dance - Traditionally performed by men, showcasing strength and virtuosity
- Signature moves - Deep knee bends (присядки), leg kicks, jumps, and turns
- Improvisational - Dancers often improvise within the traditional structure
🔻The dance originated among Russian Cossacks and became popular throughout the Russian Empire.
🔻Trepak gained worldwide fame through Pyotr Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" where it appears as the energetic "Russian Dance" in Act II. This ballet version, while stylized, captures the dance's explosive energy and rhythmic drive.
🔻The fact that the Boston Ballet includes Trepak in its repertoire shows how this vibrant Russian folk tradition has become part of global dance culture!
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🌎 In Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountains, the 6,000-year-old skeleton known as the “Vampire of Sozopol” was found with an iron rod driven through its chest. Such burials were meant to stop the dead from rising, but the true reasons for these medieval anti-vampire rituals remain unexplained by archaeologists. ✨
#archaeology⚡#mystery⚡#folklore
👉subscribe Interesting Planet
On the kelpie
A kelpie, or water kelpie (Scottish Gaelic: Each-Uisge), is a shape-shifting spirit inhabiting lochs in Scottish folklore. The kelpie is the most common water spirit in Scottish folklore. It is usually described as a black horse-like creature, able to adopt human form. Some accounts state that the kelpie retains its hooves when appearing as a human
Almost every sizeable body of water in Scotland has an associated kelpie story, but the most extensively reported is that of Loch Ness.
The origins of narratives about the creature are unclear but the practical purpose of keeping children away from dangerous stretches of water and warning young women to be wary of handsome strangers has been noted in secondary literature.
I must add here that the kelpie combines the symbols of a monster and water, which could mean that it is derived from the ancient #IndoEuropean myth of the Dragon, which will soon be explained.
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