After our afternoon at the salt mine in Bad Reichenhall, we happened upon the annual Perchten Run. So exciting!
Frau Perchta in the Indo-Germanic tradition is believed to be a god-like creator half man and half woman, but usually represented by a woman. She appears on Earth during winter solstice and is accompanied by all sorts of evil spirits. She keeps the spirits under control as she travels through the snowy Alpine mountains and valleys. She protects the good people from the spirits and punishes the bad ones.
These ancient beliefs were why young men living in the Alpine areas of Austria would dress up as evil spirits in an attempt to banish those that accompany Frau Perchta. Since the 16th century the men in the costumes have been called Perchten.
She has also been described as a "guardian of the beasts" and comes during the 12 Days of Christmas when they check on the spinning.
In the 17th century the church finally realized that these customs were pagan in origin and banned them. The traditions were kept secret and have managed to survive to today.
A Swedish Fire Torch
Perchten Run. Here come the Perchten! Hide your children!
Thomas and me with the Sparzer Kapelle (Sparrow's Chapel) up on the hill.
The town center of Traunstein on a cold, snowy evening with St. Oswald's on the left.
The 3 Wise Men. In Germany the Epiphany (January 6) is celebrated my young people dressed as the 3 kings, going from door to door and often caroling and singing Three Kings songs. Often they are soliciting for donations for some charity such as African famine relief. And there aren't really any black people that live in the area, so one is usually in black face.
In return, the magi bless the house in chalk on the door beam of the home, but now they often use stickers as seen on Thomas's door. Doorways were once sprinkled with holy water and the master of the house would write C + M + B plus the year. He would then say, " "Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar, behütet uns auch für dieses Jahr, vor Feuer und vor Wassergefahr." (CMB, protect us again this year from the dangers of fire and water.) C+M+B has traditionally been translated to the names of the Three Kings, but the Church says it stands for "Christus Mansionem Benedictat" (Christ bless this home).
The tower of Salinenkapelle (Saline Chapel) with apartments in the foreground. It is said to be the biggest chapel in Germany.
There are many facets to German folklore and different tales and goddesses are derived and blended from different stories and I could spend all day explaining them. One story is that one of Frau Perchta.
Frau Perchta in the Indo-Germanic tradition is believed to be a god-like creator half man and half woman, but usually represented by a woman. She appears on Earth during winter solstice and is accompanied by all sorts of evil spirits. She keeps the spirits under control as she travels through the snowy Alpine mountains and valleys. She protects the good people from the spirits and punishes the bad ones.
These ancient beliefs were why young men living in the Alpine areas of Austria would dress up as evil spirits in an attempt to banish those that accompany Frau Perchta. Since the 16th century the men in the costumes have been called Perchten.
She has also been described as a "guardian of the beasts" and comes during the 12 Days of Christmas when they check on the spinning.
In the 17th century the church finally realized that these customs were pagan in origin and banned them. The traditions were kept secret and have managed to survive to today.
A Swedish Fire Torch
Perchten Run. Here come the Perchten! Hide your children!
Thomas and me with the Sparzer Kapelle (Sparrow's Chapel) up on the hill.
The town center of Traunstein on a cold, snowy evening with St. Oswald's on the left.
The 3 Wise Men. In Germany the Epiphany (January 6) is celebrated my young people dressed as the 3 kings, going from door to door and often caroling and singing Three Kings songs. Often they are soliciting for donations for some charity such as African famine relief. And there aren't really any black people that live in the area, so one is usually in black face.
In return, the magi bless the house in chalk on the door beam of the home, but now they often use stickers as seen on Thomas's door. Doorways were once sprinkled with holy water and the master of the house would write C + M + B plus the year. He would then say, " "Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar, behütet uns auch für dieses Jahr, vor Feuer und vor Wassergefahr." (CMB, protect us again this year from the dangers of fire and water.) C+M+B has traditionally been translated to the names of the Three Kings, but the Church says it stands for "Christus Mansionem Benedictat" (Christ bless this home).
The tower of Salinenkapelle (Saline Chapel) with apartments in the foreground. It is said to be the biggest chapel in Germany.
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