The Scandinavian kitchen witch, also known as the Swedish kitchen witch or the Norwegian kitchen witch, is a popular folk tradition in Nordic cultures. It is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits in the home. The kitchen witch is typically a small figurine made of fabric, often in the shape of an old-fashioned witch with a broomstick. It is traditionally hung in the kitchen, usually above the stove or near the entrance, where it can keep an eye on the household and bring blessings to the food being prepared. The origin of the kitchen witch can be traced back to ancient European folklore. In Norse mythology, witches were believed to possess magical powers and were closely associated with the home and hearth.
Throughout history, many people have believed that Samhain has dark and demonic roots. This misconception is largely due to Charles Vallancey, a British military surveyor and amateur historian who first visited Ireland in 1762 while on a surveying mission. Vallancey became fascinated with the region, and he wrote a massive, three-volume work on its history and culture. But in his opus, the clueless scholar erroneously claimed that linguists had mistranslated the word Samhain. Instead of meaning “summer’s end,” Vallancey argued it actually referred to a Celtic god alternately named “Balsab”—bal meaning lord, and sab meaning death.
This misconception is largely due to Charles Vallancey, a British military surveyor and amateur historian who first visited Ireland in 1762 while on a surveying mission. The list goes on Characters in the cartoon TV series Ugly Americans an assortment of demons, zombies, wizards, and more observe a holiday called Samhain.
In Norse mythology, witches were believed to possess magical powers and were closely associated with the home and hearth. It was believed that these kitchen witches would protect the household from misfortune and bring good fortune to the family. The kitchen witch is often seen as a symbol of warmth, hospitality, and hearth.
The Witches of Halloween Past
If recent memes are any indication, it’s likely you’ll wind up as Big Bird, a face-eating zombie, Psy or the Ecco Homo fresco for Halloween. Or, there are the classics. You know, the default ghosts, scarecrows, clowns and witches our parents’ and even our grandparents’ generations wore for Halloween. (Turns out that my grandmother, my mother and I all had our turns as teenage witches, going door-to-door clad in black pointy hats collecting our bounty.)
Contestants in the Halloween Slick Chick beauty contest in Anaheim, California, 1947.
Silk stockings ad from Ipswich Hosiery, 1927.
Halloween is thought to date back more than 2,000 years to a time when Celtic people celebrated New Year’s Day, or Samhain, on the equivalent of November 1. Legend has it that the day before, or Samhain eve (now known as Halloween), fairy and demon spirits would appear in the ether as they traveled to the afterlife. Celts dressed in costumes to stave off the evil spirits and tap into the souls of their ancestry.
Witch fashion, 1938.
All Hallows’ Eve, as it’s also known, was brought to the United States by European immigrants in the 1800s and with it, the witch costume. With absolutely no scientific evidence, one could conjecture that at least one in four people has dressed up as the hooked-nose, broom-laden, cauldron-stirring, wart-faced caricature at least one time in his or her Halloween career. As proof of this hypothesis, images of Halloween witches throughout the decades aren’t difficult to come by.
Nancy Carroll, date unknown.
Joyce Holden, 1950.
Sexy witches, pin-up witches, cutesy witches. I’d assumed that the proliferation of racy costumes (bananas and bubble gum costumes included) was a more recent occurrence. Slate suggests that the tawdriness actually began in the 1970s for a few reasons: Drag queens began dressing up for Halloween in skimpy outfits; the Halloween parade kicked off in Greenwich Village in 1973 and was quickly mimicked in the Castro and West Hollywood; and retailers began selling suggestive pre-fab costumes. But from digging around for old photos and coming upon images of scantily clad enchantresses riding those broomsticks beginning in the 1910s, it looks like witches were less Salem and more sassy much earlier than the disco decade.
Barbara Britton, Katharine Booth, Ella Neal and Eva Gabor c. 1941.
P.S. Ever wonder why broomsticks were a witch’s accessory of choice? Brooms weren’t initially meant for flying. In Celtic times, they had a much more mundane purpose; they were used to clean an area before a healing ritual could be performed. But if you ask me, the broomstick’s primary function was likely to shoo away black cats from crossing your path.
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Emily Spivack creates and edits the sites Worn Stories and Sentimental Value. She lives in Brooklyn, NY.
By the 1920s and 1930s, Halloween had become a secular but community-centered holiday, with parades and town-wide Halloween parties as the featured entertainment. Despite the best efforts of many schools and communities, vandalism began to plague some celebrations in many communities during this time.
It is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the home and its inhabitants. The kitchen witch is also thought to possess the ability to keep the kitchen clean and well-stocked, ensuring that the family is well-nourished. In Scandinavian culture, it is customary for the kitchen witch to be given as a housewarming gift or as a gesture of goodwill. It is considered bad luck to buy a kitchen witch for oneself, so it is usually given by a friend or family member. The kitchen witch is often dressed in traditional Scandinavian attire, with a long dress and a shawl. It is also common for the kitchen witch to have a broomstick, a symbol of cleanliness and orderliness in the home. Some kitchen witches are also depicted with a spoon or other cooking utensils, symbolizing their role in the kitchen. Many people believe in the power of the kitchen witch and take great care in selecting the perfect one for their home. They may choose a kitchen witch based on its appearance, or they may look for one that has been handmade or passed down through generations. Overall, the Scandinavian kitchen witch is a cherished tradition in Nordic cultures. It symbolizes the importance of the home and the role that the kitchen plays in family life. Whether seen as a mystical protector or simply a charming decoration, the kitchen witch holds a special place in Scandinavian folklore and tradition..
Reviews for "Scandinavian Kitchen Flooring: Choosing the Perfect Material"
1. John - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with the Scandinavian kitchen witch. Not only did it not live up to my expectations, but it also seemed like a complete waste of money. The recipes were bland and uninspired, lacking the excitement and unique flavors that I was hoping for. Additionally, the layout and organization of the book were confusing, making it difficult to follow along with the recipes. Overall, I would not recommend this cookbook to anyone looking for true Scandinavian cuisine.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
As a fan of Scandinavian cuisine, I was excited to try out the Scandinavian kitchen witch, but I found it to be rather underwhelming. While the book provided some interesting background information on Scandinavian culture and food, the recipes themselves were lacking in flavor and complexity. I also found the ingredient lists to be quite long and the instructions to be confusing at times. Overall, this cookbook fell short of my expectations and I would not consider it to be a reliable source for authentic Scandinavian recipes.
3. Michael - 1 star
The Scandinavian kitchen witch was a huge disappointment for me. The recipes were overly complicated and required numerous ingredients that were difficult to find in my local grocery store. Furthermore, the cooking times were often inaccurate, resulting in either undercooked or overcooked dishes. I had high hopes for this book, but it was a complete waste of my time and money. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for easy and reliable Scandinavian recipes.
4. Emily - 2 stars
I was not impressed with the Scandinavian kitchen witch cookbook. While the book had beautiful photographs and an interesting introduction to Scandinavian cuisine, the recipes themselves were lacking in flavor and creativity. Many of the dishes seemed quite basic and did not offer anything unique or exciting. Additionally, the instructions were not always clear, making it difficult to achieve the desired results. Overall, I was disappointed with this cookbook and would not recommend it to others who are seeking authentic Scandinavian recipes.