The mythical witch has long been a subject of fascination and fear in various cultures around the world. With origins dating back centuries, witches are often portrayed as women with supernatural powers who can cause havoc and harm with their spells and curses. In many folktales and legends, witches are believed to have made pacts with the devil or other evil beings in exchange for their powers. They are often depicted as living on the fringes of society, residing in dark and mysterious places such as forests, caves, or swamps. The image of the witch is often associated with a cauldron, a broomstick, and a pointed hat. They are believed to concoct magical potions in their cauldrons and use their broomsticks to travel to different realms or attend secret gatherings known as Sabbaths.
Did we miss any from your culture? Let us know in the comments!
According to Italian folklore, Befana is a figure not unlike Santa Claus who flies around Italy on Epiphany Eve and gives small presents to children who are well behaved. Mass hysteria took over more than 200 people were accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts over the next year, and 20 were executed 14 were women.
They are believed to concoct magical potions in their cauldrons and use their broomsticks to travel to different realms or attend secret gatherings known as Sabbaths. The pointed hat, on the other hand, is said to channel their magical energy. Witches are commonly associated with casting spells and curses on others.
Top 10 Witches From Myths and Legends
VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton WRITTEN BY: Savannah Sher
History tell us to keep an eye out for these magical beings. For this list, we'll be looking at magical women from historical lore. Our countdown includes Befana, Grimhild, Baba Yaga, and more!
Top 10 Witches From Myths and Legends
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Witches From Myths and Legends.
For this list, we’ll be looking at magical women from historical lore.
Did we miss any from your culture? Let us know in the comments!
#10: Medea
In Greek mythology, Medea is best known for her role in helping Jason get the Golden Fleece in the tale of “Jason and the Argonauts.” She is often depicted as an enchantress, and is the daughter of King Aeëtes of Colchis and the granddaughter of Helios, the sun god. Interestingly, she is also the niece of another mythical Greek sorceress, Circe (more on her later). Perhaps most famously, Medea is the title character in Euripides tragedy, in which she and Jason are living in Corinth but he ultimately leaves her - and not with happy results.
#9: Befana
According to Italian folklore, Befana is a figure not unlike Santa Claus who flies around Italy on Epiphany Eve and gives small presents to children who are well behaved. Just like St. Nick, she comes down the chimney and puts treats and toys in children’s stockings, and if they’re bad she gives them coal instead. Not only that, but she’s even said to sweep the floor before leaving! Although rather than cookies and milk, Italian families often leave her a glass of wine and snacks. Everything’s better in Italy, isn’t it?
#8: The Witch of Endor
In the Old Testament’s First Book of Samuel, Saul goes to the Witch of Endor to conjure up the spirit of Samuel in order to give him advice concerning the Battle of the Philistines. He had first asked God for help, but received none. The problem with this is that the Bible isn’t exactly supposed to condone magic or necromancy, so some theologians have taken issue with this passage. Nonetheless, the Witch of Endor has become an enduring figure whose controversial inclusion in the scriptures will likely be debated for generations to come.
advertisement#7: Grimhild
As we all know from hearing countless stories since childhood, there are good witches and there are bad witches. Grimhild or Grímhildr, from Norse mythology, is decidedly a bad witch. In one legend, she breaks up the marriage between Sigurðr and Brynhildr by giving the husband a potion that makes him forget his wife. Grimhild’s intention was to have both members of the couple marry her children instead, but her plot didn’t work out as planned. Both Sigurðr and Brynhildr ended up dead and there was no happily ever after here.
#6: The Bell Witch
While some of the legends on our list are many centuries old, this one hales from the 19th century in the south of the United States. The Bell family of Tennessee reported strange happenings around their farm starting around 1817. John Bell Sr. reported that a mysterious entity was wreaking havoc on him and his family. The spectre could shapeshift and speak, but was not always visible. The spirit was said to be the ghost of Kate Batts, a neighbor of the Bells who they had had conflict with, but of course we’ll probably never know her true origin.
#5: Hecate
Unlike the Christians, the Greeks had no fear of magic. Hecate is known as the goddess of ghosts and witchcraft and has long been associated with the supernatural. She is often depicted holding several torches, and that’s because she was known to have helped Persephone to find her way out of the underworld along with Hermes. In a poem by Theocritus from the 3rd century BC, it is even said that Hecate holds the keys which can open the gates between the worlds of the dead and the living.
#4: Jenny Greenteeth
Throughout history, parents have made up tales in order to scare their children into exhibiting safe behaviors. Jenny Greenteeth is likely the result of one of those tales. unless of course she’s real. Hailing from England, folklore tells of a river hag who would pull children or old people into water and kill them by drowning. She is supposed to have sickly green skin, sharp teeth and long hair. Though her name varies slightly based on what part of England you’re from, all good children know not to wade too deep in the murky waters.
advertisement#3: Circe
We already mentioned Circe as being the aunt of Medea, but she is of course notorious in her own right. She is perhaps best known for her role in Homer’s “Odyssey,” though she is also simply a fixture in Greek mythology as the daughter of Helios. The “Odyssey” relates that Odysseus meets Circe on her island home of Aeaea after the Trojan War, and she turns his shipmates into pigs, forcing the men to stay with her for a year. He eventually decided to go home to his wife (after giving Circe several sons) and the rest is the stuff of legend.
#2: Baba Yaga
Most witches are known for being either good or evil, but Baba Yaga seems to vacillate between the two, and you never know which side of her you’re going to get. A legend from Russian folklore, she sometimes eats children but other times helps the lost along their way. She flies around in a mortar holding a pestle instead of using the traditional broomstick and is said to live in a hut that stands on chicken feet. Because of her unpredictable nature, you definitely do not want to meet this witch in the woods at night.
#1: Morgan le Fay
Like so many of the witches and enchantresses from myth and legend, Morgan le Fay was known largely as a seductress. Hailing from Arthurian legend, she is often seen as an antagonist to both Guinevere and Arthur in various iterations of the tales about them. She uses her sexuality to get what she wants and acts as an apprentice to Merlin, learning magic from him. She was supposed to be in love with Lancelot, and in some versions of the stories about her, she reveals Guinevere's dalliance with him as an act of revenge.
Despite centuries of repression, the witch has survived and thrived brilliantly in a myriad of forms. Here are ten badass witchy women, both mythical and real, throughout time.
These spells can range from simple love potions to more sinister hexes that cause illness or death. This power over others has given rise to a deep-rooted fear and mistrust of witches throughout history. Interestingly, the portrayal of witches has evolved over time. In some cultures, they are seen as healers and wise women with deep knowledge of herbs and natural remedies. They are respected members of their communities, using their powers for good. However, the majority of myths and folklore focus on the malevolent nature of witches, often depicting them as villains seeking to cause harm. The concept of witchcraft has also been associated with witch trials and persecution throughout history, most notably during the Salem witch trials in colonial America. These trials were fueled by a mass hysteria and fear of witchcraft, resulting in the execution of numerous innocent people. In contemporary culture, witches are often depicted in books, movies, and television shows. They have become iconic figures in fantasy and supernatural genres, capturing the imagination of audiences worldwide. Some famous fictional witches include the Wicked Witch of the West from "The Wizard of Oz" and Hermione Granger from the "Harry Potter" series. In conclusion, the mythical witch is a complex figure that has been both feared and revered throughout history. Their powers, rituals, and associations with the supernatural continue to captivate and intrigue us. Whether seen as evil or misunderstood, witches have left an indelible mark on our collective imagination..
Reviews for "The Witch in Art: From Renaissance Portraits to Contemporary Sculptures"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "The mythical witch" but I was thoroughly disappointed. The story felt flat and the characters lacked depth. The writing style was also quite dry and didn't engage me as a reader. I felt like there was so much potential for a captivating and magical story, but it fell short. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied.
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