Post by @juergen_hubert@mementomori.social

@juergen_hubert@mementomori.social 2 hours ago

There are quite a few German-language folk tales where a "cursed maiden" can only be released if she is kissed - while she has a form that is half woman, half snake.

Inevitably, the young man who promised to kiss her recoils at the last moment, condemning her to wait another century until a new candidate becomes available.

I suspect such "cursed maidens" would have fewer problems in the modern day, as there are people who... are into that.

#folklore #snake
https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_0iYWAAAAYAAJ/page/234/mode/1up

An illustration of a huntsman retreating from a woman who is half snake.

Internet Archive

Salzburger Volkssagen : Rudolf von Freisauff von Neudegg : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

#snake #folklore

Petra van Cronenburg

@NatureMC@mastodon.online 2 hours ago

@juergen_hubert In modern days, maidens don't want to be kissed without asking. They don't need men to be released.

Please be aware that such stories are deeply patriarchal and were told to keep that system intact. If you compare it with much older lore about e.g. snake goddesses, half woman, half snake, you'll see a big difference in role models of their time.

Jürgen Hubert

@juergen_hubert@mementomori.social 2 hours ago

@NatureMC

1) She specifically requested to be kissed.

2) That those old tales frequently represented dubious moral values is not news to me.

Petra van Cronenburg

@NatureMC@mastodon.online 2 hours ago

@juergen_hubert Yes. My point was that it is immensely interesting to compare these patriarchal stories with older origins. You also know this. I say it for people who perhaps don't know it.
The cultural heritage of ancient snake goddesses is fascinating!