Aufhocker: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Hildesheim-Hoher.Weg.Huckup.01.JPG|thumb|German statue of a huckup having leapt onto an apple thief's back<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Grober-Gluck|first=Gerda|title=Aufhocker and Aufhocken|publisher=Walter de Gruyter|year=1931|isbn=3111289575|location=Germany|pages=127–223|language=German}}</ref>]] |
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The '''aufhocker''' is a [[shapeshifter]] in [[German folklore]]. |
The '''aufhocker''' or '''huckup''' is a [[shapeshifter]] in [[German folklore]]. |
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== Characteristics == |
== Characteristics == |
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The Aufhocker is described in German legend as having an unidentifiable shape because it takes on shapes such as a goblin, a beautiful woman, a dead man, or various animals.<ref name=":0" /> |
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The aufhocker is never identified in literature as having an identifiable shape. It's known for taking on the form of animals and in some cases, human beings in order to fulfill whatever duty it sees fit. In most cases, the aufhocker is considered to be a very dangerous theriomorph that tears the throats out of humans.<ref name="Jonathan_Maberry">Maberry, Jonathan (2006). "Vampire Universe", p. 28.</ref> The connection to attacking victims in the throat is what links the aufhocker to vampirism. |
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The aufhocker can not be killed. In vampire mythology, sunlight and church bells are often used to frighten vampires. These defenses are also linked to the aufhocker. |
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== Legend == |
== Legend == |
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The name |
The name Aufhocker means "leap upon". This name is used because according to legend, the Aufhocker would leap upon the back of its victims<ref name="Carol_Rose">Rose, Carol (2001). "Giants, Monsters and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend and Myth", p. 30.</ref> which are often thieves and criminals that need to be taught a lesson.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Luxembourg's Literary Legends: Wrestling with invisible attackers in the Mullerthal region - time comes for everyone|url=https://www.rtl.lu/culture/film-and-books/a/1425424.html|access-date=2021-11-29|website=www.rtl.lu|language=lb}}</ref> Other common targets in the Aufhocker legend are lone travelers and old women. |
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The Aufhocker is known as a pressure spirit or perching spirit because it jumps on the backs of travelers weighing them down with every step. The victims often die of exhaustion because the Aufhocker cannot be shaken off or killed. However, it is believed that travelers can free themselves if they are able to make it home before being killed.<ref name=":0" /> These attacks often occur in specific locations such as bridges, crossroads, springs, woods, on a path through a hollow, and cemeteries.<ref name=":0" /> |
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The Aufhocker is a very dangerous [[theriomorph]] that is sometimes said to tear out the throats of humans instead of killing its victims from exhaustion.<ref name="Jonathan_Maberry">Maberry, Jonathan (2006). "Vampire Universe", p. 28.</ref> The version of the Aufhocker that attacks victims' throats is linked to [[vampirism]]. In vampire mythology, sunlight and church bells are often used to frighten vampires away and may be applicable defenses against the Aufhocker also. |
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The Aufhocker legend is sometimes interpreted a metaphor for emotional burdens weighing on one’s shoulders no matter how hard they try to shake off their memories. The old woman that is a victim in some version of the legend represents time itself. The old woman is scared of getting older and has more memories to haunt her. Some other speculators say the Aufhocker legend is instead a materialization of [[Night terror|Night Terrors]].<ref name=":1" /> |
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Similar myths can be found in most of Europe. In the [[Charente-Maritime]] ''département'' of France, the [[:fr:Ganipote|Ganipote]] is depicted as having similar traits.<ref name=":0" /> In the formerly [[Iglau language island|German-speaking parts of Bohemia]], the same is attributed to the [[Uhaml]].<ref>Will-Erich-Peuckert: ''Uhaml''. In: Hanns Bächtold-Stäubli, Eduard Hoffmann-Krayer: ''Handwörterbuch des Deutschen Aberglaubens: Band 9 Waage-Zypresse, Nachträge''. Berlin/New York 2000, Nachträge p. 797 f.</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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{{legendary-creature-stub}} |
{{legendary-creature-stub}} |
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{{German folklore}} |
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[[Category:German legendary creatures]] |
[[Category:German legendary creatures]] |
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[[Category:Vampires]] |
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[[Category:Shapeshifting]] |
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Revision as of 06:37, 12 November 2023
The aufhocker or huckup is a shapeshifter in German folklore.
Characteristics
The Aufhocker is described in German legend as having an unidentifiable shape because it takes on shapes such as a goblin, a beautiful woman, a dead man, or various animals.[1]
Legend
The name Aufhocker means "leap upon". This name is used because according to legend, the Aufhocker would leap upon the back of its victims[2] which are often thieves and criminals that need to be taught a lesson.[3] Other common targets in the Aufhocker legend are lone travelers and old women.
The Aufhocker is known as a pressure spirit or perching spirit because it jumps on the backs of travelers weighing them down with every step. The victims often die of exhaustion because the Aufhocker cannot be shaken off or killed. However, it is believed that travelers can free themselves if they are able to make it home before being killed.[1] These attacks often occur in specific locations such as bridges, crossroads, springs, woods, on a path through a hollow, and cemeteries.[1]
The Aufhocker is a very dangerous theriomorph that is sometimes said to tear out the throats of humans instead of killing its victims from exhaustion.[4] The version of the Aufhocker that attacks victims' throats is linked to vampirism. In vampire mythology, sunlight and church bells are often used to frighten vampires away and may be applicable defenses against the Aufhocker also.
The Aufhocker legend is sometimes interpreted a metaphor for emotional burdens weighing on one’s shoulders no matter how hard they try to shake off their memories. The old woman that is a victim in some version of the legend represents time itself. The old woman is scared of getting older and has more memories to haunt her. Some other speculators say the Aufhocker legend is instead a materialization of Night Terrors.[3]
Similar myths can be found in most of Europe. In the Charente-Maritime département of France, the Ganipote is depicted as having similar traits.[1] In the formerly German-speaking parts of Bohemia, the same is attributed to the Uhaml.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d e Grober-Gluck, Gerda (1931). Aufhocker and Aufhocken (in German). Germany: Walter de Gruyter. pp. 127–223. ISBN 3111289575.
- ^ Rose, Carol (2001). "Giants, Monsters and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend and Myth", p. 30.
- ^ a b "Luxembourg's Literary Legends: Wrestling with invisible attackers in the Mullerthal region - time comes for everyone". www.rtl.lu (in Luxembourgish). Retrieved 2021-11-29.
- ^ Maberry, Jonathan (2006). "Vampire Universe", p. 28.
- ^ Will-Erich-Peuckert: Uhaml. In: Hanns Bächtold-Stäubli, Eduard Hoffmann-Krayer: Handwörterbuch des Deutschen Aberglaubens: Band 9 Waage-Zypresse, Nachträge. Berlin/New York 2000, Nachträge p. 797 f.
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