Dragons and Lindworms in Ancient Caves in Switzerland

Grimm’s Saga No. 217

Spring Awakening: the Time when Dragons Stir 

Alpine folk in Switzerland have preserved many legends about dragons and lindworms*  In ancient times these beasts dwelled in mountain caverns, often raining down destruction on the valleys below. Today when a mountain river breaks out of its banks, tearing in its torrent trees and rocks as it descends, people still say: “The dragon has flown out.” The following story is one of the strangest ever told:

A barrel binder from Lucerne went out to find wood for his barrels. He became lost in a barren, remote area when night fell. Suddenly he slipped into a deep hole filled with mud. It was as if a spring fed its waters into the depression. On both sides of the floor of this cave were passageways leading into enormous caverns. When the barrel binder wanted to examine these areas more carefully, to his horror he met two terrifying dragons. The man prayed fervently while the dragons wound their tails around his body. But they did him no harm. One day passed and then several. He had to share the dragons’ company from November 6 until April 10**. He nourished himself on the salty moisture that formed on the cave walls. When the dragons sensed that winter was over, they decided to take flight. The first one departed with loud flapping noise while the other dragon also prepared itself. Seeing this the unfortunate barrel binder seized the tail of the dragon and was pulled upward as the beast flew out of the cave. Once above, the man let go and soon found himself in the city. To commemorate the incident he had a priest’s robe embroidered, which can still be seen in Saint Leodagar’s Church in Lucerne. According to church records, the story took place in the year 1420.

*A mythical monster like a giant reptile (or dinosaur).
** Just in time to file his income taxes.

The Wood-Wife or Nymph of the Forest

In May time, the poet, wandering in the depths of the forest, is met by the wood-wife  (wood wyf) or nymph of the forest.

The origins of Little Red Riding Hood

Shrouded in Mystery: The Female Hooded Deity


According to the Roman poet Juvenal who wrote around 100 AD, the hood or cucullus was a Celtic invention. It was primarily worn by people close to the land or those routinely exposed to the elements (such as farm laborers, travelers or shepherds). It had a practical funnel-shape, which could be easily pulled over the head and it could also be worn separately or in conjunction with a cape or tunic. Besides having these utilitarian functions, the cucullus could also conceal the identity of the wearer. The most basic information about a person was wrapped in mystery so-to-speak because it was difficult to ascertain the gender, age, occupation or intent of such a cloaked figure.

In areas of Europe occupied by both Romans and Celts, archaeologists have found numerous representations of a hooded deity, which they refer to as genius cucullatus. Some of these figures are considered to be female and are believed to have some connection with earth goddesses. They often carry eggs or other fertility symbols while others carry parchments or scrolls, possibly signifying the wisdom and power associated with healing. It is thus believed these cult figures were revered for their control over prosperity, health and fertility. In 1931 two altars were found in the village of Wabelsdorf, Austria with the inscription “genio cucullato” or “to the hooded deity”. This finding is important because it confirms a formal cult following for these hooded figures. In Britain, genius cucullatus usually appears in groupings of three but in the Rhine-Moselle region of Germany the figure is usually alone and appears dwarf-like. The number three was significant in Celtic thought and the three-in-one function is prominent in the tale of Brigit, who simultaneously represented the functions of mother, guardian of childbirth and goddess of prosperity.

Thus there are ample clues in the archaelogical record but proofs confirming the identity of this figure are slim. All we know with certainty is that a hooded deity has been prominent in the European imagination for thousands of years in an area extending from Bohemia in the East to Ireland in the West.
The Dirneweibl (of Bavarian folk tradition) and the character Little Red Riding Hood share some of the attributes of this mysterious deity: they all wear a cloak, which to some extent conceals their identity; they bring life-giving nourishment in the form of wine, cake and apples and thus represent healing, security and prosperity; the color red ties them to passion, love and fecundity. In short, they represents those basic things associated with the hooded deity. It is perhaps most fitting that such a character be forever shrouded in mystery, leaving most of the story to the imagination.


This article draws heavily on information provided at www.vroma.org/images/mcmanus_images/cucullus.jpg
It is very worthwhile to read the entire article!

To read the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood:

http://littleredridinghoodmyths.blogspot.com/2009/01/little-red-riding-hood-text.html

On Valentines Day: the mild beam of the soul-breathing glance

THE FIRST KISS OF LOVE.

Ἁ βάρβιτος δὲ χορδαῖς

Ἔρωτα μοῦνον ἠχεῖ.^[1]

Anacreon [Ode 1].

Lord Byron

1.

Away with your fictions of flimsy romance,

Those tissues of falsehood which Folly has wove;^[2]

Give me the mild beam of the soul-breathing glance,

Or the rapture which dwells on the first kiss of love.

2.

Ye rhymers, whose bosoms with fantasy glow,^[3]

Whose pastoral passions are made for the grove;

From what blest inspiration^[4] your sonnets would flow,

Could you ever have tasted the first kiss of love.

3.

If Apollo should e'er his assistance refuse,

Or the Nine be dispos'd from your service to rove,

Invoke them no more, bid adieu to the Muse,

And try the effect, of the first kiss of love.

4.

I hate you, ye cold compositions of art,

Though prudes may condemn me, and bigots reprove;

I court the effusions that spring from the heart,

Which throbs, with delight, to the first kiss of love.^[5]

5.

Your shepherds, your flocks, those fantastical themes,^[6]

Perhaps may amuse, yet they never can move:

Arcadia displays but a region of dreams;^[7]

What are visions like these, to the first kiss of love?

6.

Oh! cease to affirm that man, since his birth,^[8]

From Adam, till now, has with wretchedness strove;

Some portion of Paradise still is on earth,

And Eden revives, in the first kiss of love.

7.

When age chills the blood, when our pleasures are past—

For years fleet away with the wings of the dove—

The dearest remembrance will still be the last,

Our sweetest memorial, the first kiss of love.

December 23, 1806.

1. Jump up
   ↑ [The motto was prefixed in Hours of Idleness.]
2. Jump up
   ↑ Moriah^[1] those air dreams and types has o'er wove.—[MS. Newstead.]
   Those tissues of fancy Moriah has wove.—[P. on V. Occasions.]
   ^  1. Moriah is the "Goddess of Folly."
3. Jump up
   ↑ Ye rhymers, who sing as if seated on snow.—[P. on V. Occasions.]
4. Jump up
   ↑ With what blest inspiration.—[MS. P. on V. Occasions.]
5. Jump up
   ↑ Which glows with delight at.—[MS.]
6. Jump up
   ↑ Your shepherds, your pipes.—[MS. P. on V. Occasions.]
7. Jump up
   ↑ Arcadia yields but a legion of dreams.—[MS.]
8. Jump up
   ↑ —— that man from his birth.—[MS. P. on V. Occasions.]

Happy Fairy Tale Valentines Day

There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved. 

George Sand