nisse
nature_spirit earth Scandinavian single tradition · 4
The nisse is a cognate of the brownie and hob. All are thought to be derived from the household gods of olden times, known in England as the cofgodas (Old English for ‘house-gods’), of which the brownie and hob are indeed a survival.
↻ synthesized from 4 sources
When
- First attested
- 1400 CE
- Attested period
- 1400 – 2020
- Historical notes
- Name may derive from Niels or Nicholas, introduced 15th-17th century or earlier in medieval times; became associated with Christmas in the 19th century.
Relationships
- co occurs with
- þyrs, þurs, Goblin, Húsvættir, Tonttu, gardvord, tunkall, gårdsrå, Lares, domovoy, Brownie, duende, hobgoblins, Kobold, Tomte, hob, Huldufólk, Kikimora, leshy
- manifests as
- Julenisse
- syncretized with
- Saint Nicholas, vörðr, Nis Puk
Mentioned by
Sources
wikipedia (4)
Source passages
“As well as the brownie, another cognate exists in the Scandinavian nisse or tomte; all are thought to be derived from the household gods of olden times, known in England as the cofgodas (Old English for ‘house-gods’”
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