When I was growing up, my mother always had a flying Kitchen Witch hanging in the kitchen window. And naturally, as an adult with my own kitchen, I have one too. Now, the legend says that a German Kitchen Witch will protect your food as you cook it. No more pots boiling over, no more burnt cakes, just delicious foods that will nourish your family.
Did it work?
My mom is a great cook, and we all enjoy eating whenever we sit at her table. Is it because of the Kitchen Witch? That I can’t say.
Legend of Kitchen Witch
Witches have always been a part of German Folklore. From the Witches of Grimm’s Fairy Tales and the Walpurgisnacht Witches in the Harz Mountains, to Pechta the Epiphany-Eve witch, and Frau Holda (Holle), the “matron” of domestic chores with connections with the spirit world. And for centuries, children have been warned about the witches that live in the Black Forest. Some are good, some are, well, not so good, and can cause trouble for those who haven’t finished their spinning or kept the house tidy. The Kitchen Witch came out of German folklore, and lucky for us, she is a good witch!
There is some debate about the origin of the German Kitchen Witch. Some claim they originate from Scandinavia. Still, since so many German Legends migrated north (like Frau Holla became Frau Hulla in Norse Legend), it’s possible that the Kitchen Witch probably traveled in that direction too. Oddly, the first written documentation of Kitchen witches comes from England, where a Kitchen Witch was bequeathed in a Will (she must have overseen some pretty tasty food if she was that important!).
The Kitchen is Where MAGIC Happens!
food is prepared. But it’s more than food! Kitchen magic is the oldest form of “magic”. Medicinal teas are brewed there, and it’s where salves and healing poultices were made. It’s the place where wise women cared for their families and their communities. The idea of a beneficial Kitchen Witch overseeing the home and kitchen makes perfect sense.
Witch Arabella, Felt Kitchen Witch, Kitchen Witch Doll,
What is a German Kitchen Witch?
poppets. What’s the difference? A doll is a plaything, and a poppet is a small figure resembling a human used in witchcraft. But before you panic and think that all poppets are bad, remember that these are GOOD witches. Specifically tasked with overseeing your home and kitchen, and ensuring that the bad witches can’t make mischief at your stove.
Kitchen Witches Duties-
Folklore associated with the dolls:
Your Kitchen Witch is tasked with….
- Keep pots from boiling over
- Make a kitchen a place of happiness
- Keep foods from being over-salted or burnt
- Helps ensure that spices are perfectly mixed
- Prevents kitchen disasters (mine must have to work overtime)
So, whether or not you believe a German Kitchen Witch will keep your milk from curdling, your pots from boiling dry, your roasts from burning, or your cookies from being too salty, it can’t really hurt to have one of these sweet witches hanging in the kitchen. They bring joy and do all they can to make your food taste better. Plus, they are awfully CUTE!
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It’s Good Luck to Have a German Kitchen Witch
Having a German Kitchen Witch brings good luck to your home, and it’s even lucky to GIVE a Kitchen Witch to a friend. There really is a style of German Kitchen Witch for every Kitchen!
Set of Kitchen Witch DollsKitchen WITCH Doll, Felt Wooden Witch Figurine
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Hello!
Love this article! Yes, every kitchen needs a KitchenWitch :). I make them, you can find my witches on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/goddessinthegroove.
Heike, another German Girl in America :).
This one is SUPER CUTE
German here.
I don’t really like to spoil the fun but there is no such thing as a kitchen witch in Germany.
Yes, there are loads of legends and fairy tales surrounding witches and witchcraft, and a lot of people decorate their homes with flying witches. But no, no “kitchen witch”.
Maybe it’s a regional thing but certainly not a widely known one.
The only “Küchenhexe”, I know of, are a specific type of antique kitchen ovens that made a comeback in the last couple of years.
You are correct, it must be a regional as I also have never heard of it.
My mom had one in her kitchen so do I. In the 80’s a lot of people had them
It’s neat to read about the German Kitchen Witch. I’m getting one, and then I’m going to learn to cook.
Great! my Easy German Cookbook could help…. https://germangirlinamerica.com/easy-german-cookbook-80-classic-recipes-made-simple/
I’m not familiar with the idea of a German kitchen witch, but I do have a beautiful flying German witch doll. They are common in homes and taverns all over Bavaria. The idea is if you give a witch a good home, her sister witches will not bother you. Mine was made by the Büchenbacher Hexenchor.
Great article I have a cute Witch Arabela from this shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/angelknitgift and I think she really bring good luck….
she’s adorable! hope she keeps your pots from boiling over.
I’m a veteran and was stationed at Ft Lewis, WA in 1986 and a co worker had a German wife who made the most beautiful witches. Even though the ones she made for me were very elegant she still called them kitchen witches. I would host parties and invite other female soldiers to see her work. For every 10 she sold, I got a percentage off my witches. Way back then I was paying a minimal of $45.00, i hate to see what they cost now.