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Writer's pictureMichel Gauthier

Mythological Creatures of Switzerland

Updated: Apr 22, 2023



Having grown up in a beautiful, rural part of Switzerland, I have heard myriad stories about different creatures living in the mountains, forests and bodies of water all around us. As I have grown older, my fascination for mythology only increased. However, until recently, this fascination revolved mainly around myths and legends from other parts of the world. And while I am still deeply in love with those stories and will, in time, certainly write articles about them, I want to focus on the lore of my own country for this first post in the series.




Tatzelwurm

According to legends, the Tatzelwurm is supposed to resemble a serpentine dragon that has been said to inhabit the regions around the Alps. There are stories that put the size of the Tatzelwurm at around one metre while others talk about a beast that is much larger than that. The creature derives its name from the German words "Tatzel," which means paw or claw, and "Wurm," which means worm or snake. According to certain stories, the Tatzelwurm has four legs, even though most visuals one can find on the internet show a creature with only two extremities. Supposed to be a fearsome predator, the Tatzelwurm is said to attack livestock and pets as well as humans in rare cases. It has been known to be very territorial and will fight any intruders. According to some legends, the Tatzelwurm can attack with a dangerous venom that it employs to kill its victims.




Nix

The Nix is a water spirit that supposedly inhabits the rivers and lakes of Switzerland. Sometimes, it is portrayed as a beautiful woman who leads men to their deaths. According to Swiss folklore, the Nix is capable of assuming several forms, such as a horse or a fish, giving it a lot of similarities to mythical creatures from Irish or English mythology like the Kelpie. It is said to have the ability to control water, causing floods or droughts. In some stories, the Nix is a malevolent ghost that will murder anybody who disrupts its environment. In other tales, it is a more friendly beast that will assist fishermen in return for presents or sacrifices.




Dwarfs

The charming anecdotes of the dwarfs, sometimes known as little men, who live in the hills and the earth and are strongly related to the natural world, are among the most famous and entertaining tales told to children in Switzerland. These small creatures, who live in caverns and mines and tend cattle, are mostly portrayed as friendly and helpful, using their farming and culinary skills to assist humans. One particular ability that is ascribed to them is the power of making a cheese with the singular ability to regenerate itself so long as at least one single piece is left after consumption. Swiss dwarfs are frequently depicted with long white beards, red caps, and green cloaks. Despite their small size, they are in high demand as treasure hunters because of their unmatched understanding of the riches buried deep within the earth (Niffler, anyone?). And if you are all set with cheese and treasure, there are always the legendary blacksmithing skills the dwarfs are said to possess and hand down from one generation to the next for which you may seek out these little nature guardians. Even though they are generally kind, Swiss dwarfs do have a mischievous side. It is therefore highly advisable to treat them with the respect they deserve because they have a reputation for pulling spiteful pranks on anyone who offends or abuses them.



Wildmannli

It has been reported for centuries that the "Wildmannli" lives in the woods and mountains of Switzerland. It is characterized as having a human-like appearance and being covered in hair. Several tales describe the Wildmannli as a form of Bigfoot or Yeti. According to Swiss tradition, the Wildmannli is a timid and evasive creature that shuns human interaction. According to legend, it can converse with animals and has a strong affinity to nature.




Drache

Drache is the German term for "dragon," and it is also used to refer to this legendary monster in Swiss mythology. Often, the Drache is represented as a massive, winged, fire-breathing reptile. According to certain traditions, it has magical abilities and can influence the elements. The Swiss Drache formerly ravaged the countryside as a formidable and feared beast. Yet, as time passed, it grew less hostile and more kind. In other tales, the Drache is described as a treasure guardian or a defender of the soil. One particular Drache is said to inhabit the Pilatus mountain in the Swiss Canton of Lucerne. This is a mountain I can see very well from my living room window and it is a lot of fun imagining the mighty creature said to be living on its snow-capped peak.


Conclusion

There are countless myths and stories in Swiss folklore about creatures and monsters that are both interesting and potentially dangerous. Each of these legendary beings, from the Tatzelwurm to the Drache, has distinct qualities and legends spun around them that have been handed down through centuries. Some of these creatures may seem to be pure imagination, yet they have played a significant part in Swiss society, helping to explain the incomprehensible and serving as warning stories for anyone who may wander into the woods or crosses the mountains. I have thoroughly enjoyed diving into the folklore and legends of the country I hold so dear and will be doing a lot more research in the near future (there are a few great stories about the devil here in Switzerland). The creatures of Swiss folklore are intimately connected to the mountains, woods, and rivers that comprise the Swiss environment. There's no disputing that the myths and tales of Switzerland are both interesting and amusing, whether you're a devotee of mythology or just interested in the creatures that populate the Swiss imagination. Keep your eyes peeled the next time you're in the Swiss countryside; you never know what kind of mythological monster you could meet.

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