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 really good cook, and we all eat very well 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 who is seen to have 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 this folklore… and lucky for us, she is a good witch!
Granted, there is some debate about the origin of the German Kitchen Witch… some say that they come from Scandinavia, but I would argue that since so many German Legends migrated north (like Frau Holla became Frau Hulla in Norse Legend) the Kitchen Witch probably traveled in that direction too. Oddly, the first written documentation of Kitchen witches actually comes from England where a Kitchen Witch was actually bequeathed in a Will (she must have overseen some pretty tasty food if she was that important!).
The Kitchen is Where MAGIC Happens!
The Kitchen has always been the center of the home, since that is where food is prepared. But it’s more than food, kitchen magic is the oldest “magic”. The kitchen was/is where medicinal teas were brewed, 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?
To get technical, the German Kitchen witches aren’t DOLLS, they are poppets. What’s the difference? A doll is a plaything, and a poppet is a small figure resembling a human that is 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 insuring 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 insure 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 are meant to bring joy, and maybe make your foods taste just a little bit better…. Plus, they are awfully CUTE!
NEW !!! AGATHA Spoon Holder & Steam Releaser By Ototo Design
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!
Kitchen Witch Opalina flyingKitchen Witch Isobel flying
Set of Kitchen Witch DollsKitchen WITCH Doll, Felt Wooden Witch Figurine
There really is a style of German Kitchen Witch for every Kitchen…
Kitchen WitchVintage 10″ German GOOD LUCK WITCH –Grayish Green Complexion Long Stringy Hair “New Old Stock”–Brings Good Luck and Love to Your Home!
Kitchen WITCH, Kitchen Witch Doll, Witch Doll, Norway kitchen witch, Horror Decor, Hanging Witch, Fairy Figurine, Witch, Good Luck Witch HagKITCHEN WITCH DOLL Hanging with Spoon BroomGood luck KITCHEN WITCH DOLL
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.
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.