daemon metallicus

nature_spirit underworld German folklore single tradition · 1

The daemon metallicus is a "metallurgical or mine demon" responsible for depositing rich veins of ore, specifically rich silver ore. It is identified as code for German Bergmännlein, meaning "mountain manikin", a general term for earth spirit or mine spirit.

When

First attested
1530 CE
Attested period
1530 – 1563
Historical notes
Described by Georgius Agricola in Bermanus, sive, de re metallica.

Relationships

syncretized with
Bergmännlein

Expand to full subgraph →

Sources

wikipedia (1)

Source passages

“did delve into a limited discussion on the "metallurgical or mine demon" (dæmon metallicus) touching on the "Corona rosacea" mine disaster (cf. § Rosenkranz mine, Annaberg) and the framework of Psellosian demonology”

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