Hinzelmann
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Heinzelmann (sometimes called Luring) was a kobold in the mythology of northern Germany. He was described as a household spirit of ambivalent nature, similar to Puck (Robin Goodfellow).[1] Like Puck, he would provide good luck and perform household tasks, but would become malicious if not appeased.[1]
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[edit] Descriptions in mythology
Heinzelmann's myth says that he started haunting the castle Hudemühlen in 1584 after being cast from the forest of Bohemia.[1] At first he was shy, later he was conversing and jesting openly with all inhabitants of the house, including the master.[1] He sang verses, the most repeated one said that evil luck would take his place if he was ever chased out.[1]
Heinzelmann usually took the form of a congenial child in red velvet.[2] In one tale he showed his true form to a maid, who lost consciousness; it was that of a small child, around four years of age, stabbed and slashed with two swords.[2]
[edit] Pop culture
Heinzelmann is an important character in the novel American Gods by Neil Gaiman.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Boys (it's a pseudonym) (1852), The boys' own story-book, by the best authors, pp. 88-90, http://books.google.es/books?id=oLABAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA88&dq=Hinzelmann&hl=en&sa=X&ei=K3j0TuJBgciEB7vKrMkC&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Hinzelmann&f=false
- ^ a b Ludwig Bechstein, Deutsches Sagenbuch, Leipzig, 1853, http://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/deutschland/niedersachsen/div/hinzelmann.html
[edit] External links
- Lilian Gask (1865-) (First published 1912). "Chapter IX: The Little White Feather."". The Fairies and the Christmas Child (Willy Pogány (1882-1955) ed.). London: Harrap & Co., n.d.. pp. 175-196. http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/gask/child/child-IX.html#.
- Thomas Keightley (1828), The fairy mythology, Volume 2, W. H. Ainsworth, http://books.google.com/books?id=qfPxWy2hWnAC&pg=PA49&dq=Hinzelmann&hl=en&sa=X&ei=K3j0TuJBgciEB7vKrMkC&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Hinzelmann&f=false
