The Dark Side of Christmas: The Legend of Frau Perchta

During the Christmas season, tales were told of Frau Perchta, who would visit people’s home and check if they had been good or bad. She would reward the good ones, but punish the bad ones by slicing their bellies open.

Christmas, a season synonymous with joy, love, and warmth, also harbors chilling legends that evoke a sense of fear and caution. Among these eerie tales is that of Frau Perchta, often known as the Alpine Goddess of Winter, The Belly Slitter and the Witch of Christmas, a figure from Alpine folklore whose story casts a dark shadow over the festive season. Known as the Christmas witch, Frau Perchta is a sinister counterpart to the more benign Christmas legends, embodying a blend of pagan and Christian traditions that make her one of the most terrifying characters of the holiday season.

The Origins of Frau Perchta

Frau Perchta’s legend is deeply rooted in the folklore of Austria, Germany, Slovenia and other Alpine regions. Her name, which varies in spelling and pronunciation, is believed to derive from the Old High German word “perht,” meaning “bright” or “shiny.” However, despite this seemingly benign name, Frau Perchta is far from a benevolent figure. She has been given many names, many being like Perchta, Bertha and sometimes she was known as Posterli, Quatemberca and Fronfastenweiber

Originally, Frau Perchta was a goddess of nature and fertility, associated with the cycles of life and the changing seasons probably stemming from Holda or Frija-Frigg. There are also connections to the women in white trope and belief from German pagan lore.

As Christianity spread through Europe, many pagan traditions and deities were transformed or demonized, and Frau Perchta’s image darkened significantly. Even Martin Luther mentioned her in a negative way. She became a figure of fear and moral retribution, known for her dual nature: rewarding the good and punishing the wicked.

The Dual Nature of Frau Perchta

Frau Perchta’s dual nature is central to her legend. On one hand, she is a kind and generous figure, rewarding those who have been good and industrious throughout the year, appearing beautiful and white as snow. On the twelfth night of Christmas, known as Epiphany or Perchtennacht, she would visit homes and leave a silver coin in the shoes of those who had completed their tasks and behaved well.

On the other hand, Frau Perchta is a fearsome and malevolent presence. She is often depicted as a haggard old woman with a beaked nose, dressed in rags and carrying a long knife hidden beneath her skirts. This darker aspect of her nature comes to the fore when she encounters those who have been lazy, disobedient, or dishonest.

The Spooky Tale of Frau Perchta

The most chilling aspect of Frau Perchta’s legend is her method of punishment. According to the tales, Frau Perchta would enter homes on the twelfth night of Christmas to check if children and servants had worked hard and behaved well throughout the year. If she found them wanting, she would do more than just leave a lump of coal or a switch.

In the darkest versions of the legend, Frau Perchta would slit open the bellies of the lazy and deceitful, remove their internal organs, and stuff the cavity with straw, pebbles, or other harsh materials. This gruesome punishment was meant to serve as a dire warning to children and adults alike, ensuring they adhered to societal norms and performed their duties diligently.

That is the main core legend about her today, but there are many stories. Like about when she crashed a wedding she wasn’t invited to and cursed them all and transformed them into wolves.

Traveling the Wild Hunt of Twelve Days of Christmas

She is said to be more of a witch now, flying in the sky, attending the Wild Hunt together with the rest of the demonic forces of Christmas on Rauhnächte, the darkest night of the season. She is followed by her crowd of minions known as Perchten, said to be unbaptised children who died.

Read More: Check out all haunted legends from the Christmas Season

Today in some parts of Austria and Bavaria, there are processions called Perchtenlauft of Schönperchten and Schiachperchten, beautiful and ugly Perchtas during the twelve nights between Christmas and Epiphany. People are wearing masks, making noise and setting off fireworks.

You are supposed to leave her a little tribute as well and that varies from region to region. They gave her dumplings and herring in Central Germany’s Thuringia, a porridge of oats and herring called Perchtenmilch in parts of Austria, or eggs and more dumplings, left on the roof, in Tyrol.

So by Perctentag Eve on January the fifth, you better have your house in order and spinning done, if not, the christmas witch will come and get you.