What is the Christmas witch in Europe?

La Befana – whose name translates in English to 'the witch' – is an Italian character in folklore who appears annually on the eve of the Epiphany, 5 January.

What is the Christmas witch tradition?

La Befana is typically portrayed as an elderly woman, often with a haggard or witch-like appearance, wearing tattered clothes, a shawl, and a kerchief on her head. She carries a broomstick, which she uses to fly from house to house, delivering gifts to children.

Is the Christmas Witch German?

Frau Perchta isn't as well known as Krampus these days, which is a shame, because this Christmas-time goddess/witch/all-around-terrifying-gal deserves a lot more press. She's a staple in the Alpine regions of southern Germany and Austria, but relatively under-the-radar in North America.

Which country believes in the Christmas witch?

La Befana: Italian Christmas Witch. Contrary to common belief, witches are not solely evil old women with warts who fly around on broomsticks and laugh wickedly. The exception is La Befana, the gift-giving witch of Italy. Many wonder why children in Italy hang their stocking up on the night of the epiphany.

Is Grýla the Christmas Witch a real thing?

Interestingly, Gryla wasn't just invented by the writers of the screenplay, she has a long and infamous history as a mythological character from Icelandic folklore. Gryla, or, to refer to her correctly, Grýla, was a humongous witchy giant who lived in the icy wilderness.

Europe's Scariest Christmas Witches and Monsters

Is there actually a Christmas witch?

In Italian folklore and folk customs, the Befana (Italian: [beˈfaːna]) is a witch-like old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve (the night of January 5) in a similar way to Santa Claus or the Three Magi.

What is the story of Grýla?

Current-day Grýla can detect children who are misbehaving year-round. She comes from the mountains during Christmas time to search nearby towns for her meal. She leaves her cave, hunts children, and carries them home in her giant sack. She devours children as her favourite snack.

Is La Befana good or bad?

In Italian folklore, La Befana is a witch who brings good children treats on the morning of the Epiphany on January 6. But if you were bad, look out! You may wake up to a lump of coal.

Does Italy have a Christmas witch?

La Befana is hands down Italy's most interesting Christmas character. Known as the 'good witch of Christmas', La Befana presides over the feast of the Epiphany on January 6th. In fact, her name comes from the Italian word for the Epiphany; epifania.

What is Epiphany in Europe?

Christmas in some European countries — including Italy and France — kicks off 12 more days of religious observance (the famous Twelve Days of Christmas). They end on January 6 with the Epiphany holiday, when the Three Wise Men were said to have finally brought their gifts to the baby Jesus.

What is the German Christmas myth?

On Christmas Eve, Krampus travels with a sack or a basket strapped to his back; this is to cart off evil children for drowning, eating, or transport to Hell. Some of the older versions make mention of naughty children being put in the bag and taken away.

What is Germany's version of Christmas?

Weihnachten (German: [ˈvaɪnaxtn̩]) is the observance of what is commonly known in English as Christmas in the German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

What is the German fairy tale witch?

One of the most famous and well-known witches is featured in the German fairy tale Hansel and Gretel by the infamous Grimm brothers. You may remember the story of how a witch owned a house made out of candy and lured children into it, fattening them up and then trying to eat them.

How to have a witchy Christmas?

Which country is it tradition to hide brooms on Christmas eve to prevent witches from taking them?

The Norwegians take superstition to a new level on Christmas eve. It's said that on the day before Christmas, people across the country should hide their brooms in their closets, as evil spirits and witches awake on this night and will take them to ride across the country if they are not hidden.

What do witches celebrate instead of Christmas?

Winter Solstice (Midwinter / Yule)

The winter solstice, falling on or about 21 December in the Northern hemisphere, is celebrated by neopagans under various names, including Midwinter and Yule. A name used by neo-druids is Alban Arthan.

What does Befana bring?

Here in Italy, it also represents the day of Befana, who is an old woman who delivers gifts (mainly chocolate) to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve if they were good, if not they get a lump of coal, just as Santa does on Christmas Eve.

Why does Befana sweep?

Before she leaves, Befana is said to sweep the floors of the house—symbolically sweeping away the troubles of the previous year and making way for a fresh start. 🧹💫 In many homes, families will leave a small glass of wine and a plate of regional treats for Befana, a sweet gesture of thanks for her visit.

What do Italian children leave out for La Befana?

In return, children leave out a shoe or hang stockings in anticipation of her visit – they even may leave out some sweets and wine for her to enjoy as well. Befana is said to leave sweet treats for children that were nice and charcoal (or dark hard candy) for those children who were naughty.

What happens if you see La Befana?

Regional Variations: In some areas, La Befana is said to clean houses she visits, sweeping away bad luck with her broomstick. Global Recognition: While distinctly Italian, La Befana has gained recognition worldwide, with Italian communities abroad keeping the tradition alive.

What does Befana mean in English?

feminine noun. 1. ( festività) national holiday (Jan 6, feast of the Epiphany) 2. ( personaggio) kind old woman who, according to legend, comes down the chimney.

How does Grýla punish kids?

She carries knives and a sack, and is often said to slice out children's stomachs before stuffing them in her sack and carrying them off to her cave. And if that wasn't gnarly enough – when she gets her victims home, she boils them alive to make a savory stew.

What does Grýla look like?

Sometimes she is an 'ogress', sometimes she appears with hooves and a horned tail. In some stories, Gryla looks like a sheep who walks upright like a person, in others, she has 300 heads, or a beard and eyes in the back of her head.

What country has the Christmas witch?

While it may seem like this little witch is lost in the wrong holiday, she is actually an Italian Christmas icon that predates Santa Claus (Babbo Natale in Italian)!