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'''Nix''' (also known as '''Näcken''', '''Nøkken''' or '''Nixe''') are water creatures in German folklore and Scandinavian folklore, usually shown in human form. | |||
They try to lure people into the water. The males can assume many different shapes, including that of a human, fish, and snake. | |||
[[Image:Nøkken by Theodor Kittelsen.jpg|thumbnail|245px|In Norway, Theodor Kittelsen's ''Nøkken'' from 1904 is equally famous.]] | |||
==Etymology== | |||
The name is related to the Anglo-Saxon language ''nicor'', and Old High German ''nihus'', all designating some kind of water fiend. | |||
==Description== | |||
The males can assume many different shapes, including that of a human, fish, and snake. The females are beautiful women with the tail of a fish. When they are in human forms, they can be recognized by the wet hem of their clothes. | |||
==Behavior== | |||
The Nixes are considered as malignant in some quarters, but as harmless and friendly in others. | |||
==Famous== | |||
One famous Nixe of German folklore was [[Lorelei]]. According to the legend, she sat on the rock at the Rhine which bears now her name, and distracted fishermen with her voice from the dangers of the reefs. | |||
==See also== | |||
* [[Naiad]] | |||
* [[Nymph]] | |||
==External links== | |||
* [http://runeberg.org/nfbt/0176.html "Näck"], an article on Näcken from [[Nordisk Familjebok]]. | |||
* [http://www.hf.uio.no/iks/ariadne/kulturhistorie/framesettogm.htm?teori_og_metode/teoribruk/nokken.htm A summary] in Norwegian of Jochum Stattin's dissertation ''Näcken : spelman eller gränsvakt?'' (ISBN 9138612801). | |||
* [http://stud.hsh.no/lu/norsk/vidsteen/segner/teoritun/vette/tema14.htm An article] on Nøkken from ''Høgskolen Stord/Haugesund'' in Norwegian, with sources. | |||
* [http://www.stagnelius.se/dikter.html Näcken], a poem by Stagnelius (in Swedish). | |||
* [http://www.morion.com/morion/wood/english/eng_nacken_stagnelius.html The Watersprite], an amateur translation (no rhyme, no meter) of Stagnelius's poem. | |||
* [http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/fulltext/scrap1/ch04_ln.htm Manxnotebook] | |||
* [http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/tfm/tfm056.htm Sacred-Texts.com] | |||
* [http://www.ststp.com/Archives/Scandinavian/Folklore/ Scandinavian Folklore] | |||
==Bibliography== | |||
*Hellström, AnneMarie. (1985). ''Jag vill så gärna berätta...''. ISBN 91-7908-002-2 | |||
*Karlsson, S. (1970). ''I Tiveden'', Reflex, Mariestad. | |||
*Haunted, Kelly Armstrong | |||
[[Category:Fairy creatures]] | |||
[[Category:Water]] | |||
[[Category:Water spirits]] | |||
[[Category:Scandinavian mythology]] | |||
[[Category:Shapeshifters]] |
Revision as of 18:56, 18 April 2007
Nix (also known as Näcken, Nøkken or Nixe) are water creatures in German folklore and Scandinavian folklore, usually shown in human form. They try to lure people into the water. The males can assume many different shapes, including that of a human, fish, and snake.
Etymology
The name is related to the Anglo-Saxon language nicor, and Old High German nihus, all designating some kind of water fiend.
Description
The males can assume many different shapes, including that of a human, fish, and snake. The females are beautiful women with the tail of a fish. When they are in human forms, they can be recognized by the wet hem of their clothes.
Behavior
The Nixes are considered as malignant in some quarters, but as harmless and friendly in others.
Famous
One famous Nixe of German folklore was Lorelei. According to the legend, she sat on the rock at the Rhine which bears now her name, and distracted fishermen with her voice from the dangers of the reefs.
See also
External links
- "Näck", an article on Näcken from Nordisk Familjebok.
- A summary in Norwegian of Jochum Stattin's dissertation Näcken : spelman eller gränsvakt? (ISBN 9138612801).
- An article on Nøkken from Høgskolen Stord/Haugesund in Norwegian, with sources.
- Näcken, a poem by Stagnelius (in Swedish).
- The Watersprite, an amateur translation (no rhyme, no meter) of Stagnelius's poem.
- Manxnotebook
- Sacred-Texts.com
- Scandinavian Folklore
Bibliography
- Hellström, AnneMarie. (1985). Jag vill så gärna berätta.... ISBN 91-7908-002-2
- Karlsson, S. (1970). I Tiveden, Reflex, Mariestad.
- Haunted, Kelly Armstrong