“The ancient Barbarossa, Friedrich, the Kaiser great, Within the castle-cavern Sits in an enchanted state.” “Der alte Barbarossa, Der Kaiser Friedrich, Im unterird′schen Schlosse Hält er verzaubert sich.” So begins the poem “The Great Barbarossa” by Friedrich Ruckert. Say those words out loud near Germans of a certain age, and they will recite the legend of the great king back…
Category: German legends
The Loreley- The Legend, the Song, and How to See It
You are cruising down the Middle Rhine, admiring the castles towering over vineyards and small villages, when suddenly, near Sankt Goarhausen, at the base of an imposing rock cliff, the whole ship breaks into song. You’ve reached the Loreley. But WHAT is the Loreley? It’s not just a pile of rocks; it is a place of song and legend that…
The Legend of the Wolpertinger – Bavaria’s Horned Hare
Suppose you’re a young Bavarian man in the 1800s. You see a beautiful young woman, and you want to get to know her a little better. How do you get her to take a walk in the woods with you? You could tell her, “Let me show you my Wolpertinger.” I admit, it’s a poor pick-up line. So, what is…
Why is the German Chimney Sweep so Lucky?
You see him down the way, and your heart skips a beat with excitement… the man in black. He turns and gives you a smile, touching his top hat with a little salute, his gold buttons shining bright in the sunshine. You feel lucky; do you dare push it? Why not? You approach him, this German Chimney Sweep, and ask…
Eisheiligen in Germany – The German Ice Saints of May
There’s a good reason all Germans carry an Allwetterjacke (all-weather jacket): German weather can fool you. One moment, you bask under a warm sun in the local Biergarten, and the next, you need to pull on your sweater. Especially in May, when after a long Winter of cold, dreary weather, everyone seeks the sun. But, just because the sun is…
Ostara and Easter- A Legend that May be Younger than You Think
While researching stories about Easter in Germany, I frequently encountered references to the Germanic pagan goddess Ostara. Ostara and Easter appear to be so entwined that even the word Ostern (Easter) comes from this goddess of Spring. Sources attribute many non-religious Easter symbols, like eggs and rabbits, directly to her. So, I thought, HA! The perfect thing to write about.…
Schutzengel- Guardian Angels in Germany
A few years ago, when I learned to drive, my cousin gave me a sticker that said, “Fahr nicht schneller als dein Schutzengel fliegen kann!” (Don’t drive faster than your guardian angel can fly). She firmly believes in Schutzengel, and as someone who tends to be a little clumsy, I really like the idea of a celestial being keeping…
Frau Holle- Grimm Fairy Tale, Legend, and Goddess
, Frau Holle Cover Image- Nickge4, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons When it snows in Hessen, people say Frau Holle shakes out her feather beds. Thanks to Grimm’s Fairy Tales, we all have a mental image of an old woman airing her bedding out the window. But the story of Frau Holle goes further back in German history; she…