Mare

What it is

The mare is a malicious spirit found in the folk tales of northern Europe. It is described as an unclean force or ghost that visits sleeping people. The entity sits on the chest of its victim, causing severe anxiety and a feeling of suffocation. This pressure leads to nightmares, cold sweats, and a state known as sleep paralysis. The mare is often depicted as a female being with magical powers. She can change her shape to appear as animals like cats, dogs, or horses. In some stories, she is a young woman; in others, an older, unpleasant figure. The spirit is believed to exhaust both humans and animals by riding them through the night.

Where it comes from

The word comes from Old English mære and Proto-Germanic *marōn, which means to crush or oppress. Scholars link it to roots meaning to rub away or harm. It is unrelated to the word for a female horse. The term spread through Middle English and other Germanic languages. Some researchers suggest a connection to the Greek word for doom. Others trace it to a Slavonic root that entered Germanic speech before the first century BC. The concept likely began as an explanation for medical conditions like hair plaiting or sleep disorders. Over time, it became a distinct figure in regional mythologies.

How it is done

The mare enters homes through small holes left by carpenters. To stop her, people plug these gaps. In Germany, leaving slippers upside down wards her off. Offering cold water and buttered bread may make her leave permanently. Boiling water in a new jar also drives her away. In Poland, children look out windows or cross pillows to repel her. Leaving a broom behind doors is another protective custom. These actions are based on old beliefs about trapping or distracting the spirit. They do not involve complex rituals but simple household measures.

Tools and materials

The mare uses her weight to press on sleepers. She entangles hair into knots called marelocks. Trees also suffer, with twisted branches blamed on her riding. Tools used against her include brooms, belts, and painted hands. Green paint applied to hands could trap a female mare on an oak tree. Buttered bread and cold bowls serve as offerings to send her away. Upside-down slippers act as barriers. These items rely on symbolic power rather than physical force. They reflect common household objects turned into protective charms.

What it is for

People feared the mare because she caused physical pain and mental terror. Her attacks led to exhaustion and fear of sleep. Communities developed ways to protect themselves from her visits. The goal was to prevent suffocation and nightmares. Parents taught children specific prayers and gestures to stay safe. The spirit targeted those who were vulnerable or had broken social rules. Rejected lovers or sinful women were thought to become mares after death. The purpose of the lore was to explain sudden illnesses and bad dreams.

Who does it

No single group performs rites for the mare today. Historically, ordinary households practiced protection methods. Women and children were often the focus of these beliefs. Shamans or sorceresses were sometimes accused of sending mares. In Iceland, witches were said to send their spirits as mares. Scholars study these tales to understand past fears. They analyze how medical conditions were interpreted as supernatural attacks. The role of the practitioner was usually passive, relying on charms rather than active magic.

Peoples and places

The mare appears in many European cultures. Germans call her Mahr or Mara. Poles know her as zmora or mara. Scandinavians use terms like mara or marritt. Russians have kikimora, while Serbians use zmora. Each culture adds local details to the core idea. Polish lore links her to winter goddesses and witchcraft. German tales emphasize her entry through walls. Scandinavian stories connect her to soul-fetches. Despite differences, all agree on her oppressive nature. The variations show how similar fears evolved in different regions.

What people believe

The mare is part of a worldview where spirits influence daily life. She is often the soul of a dead or wronged person. In Norse tales, she is linked to hamr, the shape-shifting soul. Slavic beliefs see her as a demon or elf. She represents the danger of the unknown at night. Her ability to shapeshift reflects fears of hidden enemies. The belief system includes rules about what creates a mare. Broken promises or improper baptisms could cause one. These rules helped communities enforce moral behavior. The spirit embodies the chaos that disrupts rest and health.

When it is done

Visits happen every night during sleep. There are no specific festivals tied to the mare. However, some tales mention annual returns. One German story says a captured mare visits once a year. The spirit is most active when people are vulnerable. Infants and pregnant women are often targeted. The belief does not follow a seasonal calendar. It is a constant threat that requires daily vigilance. Protection measures are taken before bed. The timing is linked to the cycle of day and night.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Anthropologists view the mare as a metaphor for sleep paralysis. They note similarities to modern medical understanding. Psychologists see her as a projection of anxiety. Historians trace the word to ancient Indo-European roots. Some debate whether the term came from Slavic or Germanic sources. Folklorists compare her to other night spirits like the alp. Studies show how medical symptoms were reinterpreted over time. Researchers also examine gender roles in the tales. Women are often blamed for becoming mares. This reflects societal fears of female power and independence.

Compare and confuse

The mare is similar to the German alp. Both cause pressure and nightmares. The French cauchemar shares the same root. Finnish painajainen means presser, showing a link. Other spirits like the drude or strzyga are related. Strzyga is a witch who becomes undead. Mare differs by being a distinct spirit type. Confusion exists between mare, alp, and trute. These terms blur in medieval texts. Comparing them shows shared European fears. The variations highlight local adaptations of a universal theme.

Questions people ask about Mare

Good reading and sources

• Mare (folklore) on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data