Rübezahl

Lore & Background

The origin of the name Rübezahl is unclear. One interpretation comes from a story by Johann Karl August Musäus, in which Rübezahl abducts a princess who likes turnips (German: Rüben). To keep her company, he turns turnips into her friends, but they wilt. The princess asks him to count (zählen) the turnips, and while he does, she escapes. Another proposed etymology is Riebezagel, from the personal name Riebe and Middle High German zagel meaning 'tail,' referring to his depiction as a tailed demon. The name is one of ridicule; using it provokes his anger. Respectful names include 'Lord of the Mountain(s),' 'Treasure Keeper,' and 'Lord John.' The Polish name Liczyrzepa is a direct translation of the German name, introduced by Stanisław Bełza in 1898 and popularized after 1945 by Józef Sykulski. The Czech name Krakonoš is derived from the personal name Krakonoš or from the old Czech word 'krak' meaning 'raven' or 'crow'.

Reader's Guide

Rübezahl's significance lies in his role as a central figure in the folklore of Central Europe, particularly in the Giant Mountains region shared by Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. His legends, originating from pagan times, depict him as a capricious lord of weather who sends lightning, thunder, fog, rain, and snow. He is a guardian of the mountains, testing people's purity of heart and rewarding the kind with treasures. After 1945, Polish writer Józef Sykulski reinterpreted Rübezahl as a Slavic spirit protecting mountain people against oppression, though this view was not universally accepted. The figure has inspired numerous literary works, operas, songs, and films, and a museum dedicated to him opened in Görlitz, Germany, in 2005. His legacy endures as a symbol of the region's cultural heritage and as a subject of ongoing artistic and scholarly interest.

Did You Know?

• Rübezahl's name is a name of ridicule; using it provokes his anger.
• A museum devoted to Rübezahl opened in Görlitz, Germany, in May 2005.
• In Czech fairytales, Rübezahl gave sourdough to people, though the claim that he invented the traditional soup kyselo is not supported by established canon.