Wichtel

household-spirit · Germany · Germanic

Wichtel are Bavarian/Austrian household spirits akin to Scottish brownies and North German kobolds. Perform nocturnal chores—threshing, cleaning, churning—for milk and bread. Term from MHG wichte (small creature). Variants: Gütel (hayloft spirit), Heinzelmännchen (Cologne's literary gnomes, Weyden 1826, Kopisch 1836 ballad). Gift of clothing drives them away.

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