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