Guess where today's blog is taking you? Yes, Germany's Black Forest. Today, you'll learn how the forest was named, the identity of the forest Goddess and the setting of a famous fable.
HOW DID THE FOREST BECOME KNOWN AS THE "BLACK FOREST"? - Romans gave it its name. they called the forest 'Silva Negra', which literally means 'Black Forest' in Latin. The Romans were scared of forests and saw danger lurking behind every tree. The Romans gave the mountain range the name “Black Forest” because of the densely packed conifer trees — which are very dark green — found in the area. The Black Forest gets its name from a canopy of trees so dense that the woods seem dark, pierced only by shafts of sunlight.
WHO IS THE GODDESS OF THE BLACK FOREST? - Although we consider our new friends from the cruise all goddesses: Lisa, Marti, Laurie, Mary Ellen, Mary, Sue, and Kate, there was really one true Black Forest Goddess.
Abnoba is a name with theological and geographical meanings: It is the name of a Gaulish goddess who was worshiped in the Black Forest and surrounding areas. It is also the name of a mountain or mountain range.. She is the Protector of Woods, Springs, Rivers and Wild Animals. For a more in-depth read about her, click HERE.
(Image: Celtic Goddess - Abnoba, Gaelic Goddess of the Hunt - Credit: HubPages)
FOREST FAST FACTS- 1) The Black Forest is a mountainous region in southwest Germany, bordering France. 2) It is known for its dense, evergreen forests and picturesque villages/ 3) It is often associated with the Brothers Grimm fairy tales 4) The Black Forest is famous for mountain hiking and skiing! 5) The Feldberg Mountain is the highest mountain in the Black Forest and is 1,493 meters (4,898 feet) tall! 6) The Black Forest covers an area of 3733 square kilometers or 2320 square miles! -
THE BLACK FOREST'S FAMOUS BROTHER'S GRIMM FABLE! - Germany's Black Forest is the fabled setting of the Grimm Brothers' tale of “Hansel and Gretel, originally published: on December 20, 1812.
Hansel and Gretel, by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, also known as the Brothers Grimm, tells the story of siblings, Hansel and Gretel, in Medieval Germany. The children are abandoned in a forest and fall into the hands of a witch who lives in a gingerbread, cake, and candy house. The evil witch plans to fatten the children before eating them. At the end of the 200-year-old Grimm fairy tale, Gretel traps the cannibalistic witch in her own oven, allowing her to escape with her brother Hansel and the witch's priceless stones. The kids return home rich and live happily ever after.
Here's a link to the full story (Click)
(Image; Hansel and Gretel encounter the witch. Credit: Arthur Rackham)
NEXT: What the Forest is Famous For
No comments:
Post a Comment