Welcome, Darklings, to our first dive into the origins of fairytales, starting with the iconic tale of Snow White. I hope you enjoy this exploration as much as I've enjoyed unravelling the mystery. Stay tuned for more captivating adventures ahead! 🍎✨ If you enjoyed this video and would like to support the continuation of our adventures, I'm always grateful for a cup of coffee ☕Your generosity keeps the candles burning and the mysteries unravelling: www.buymeacoffee.com/theresurrectionists Yours in darkness and discovery, L x
I don't know how I came across your channel, but been watching since the 1st video. Should definitely look into any dark histories from disney and also the Disney parks (I've heard there's a few dark things that have happened since it's openings....namely in particular buildings)...and im from the UK too (most of my favourite channels are US/Canada). Keep up the amazing work ❤
This is an interesting narrative. I actually got a hold of an American translation of Grimm's Brothers Tales. I have only one book. I understand there are 4, with around 100 Tales each?
I've always wondered if Basina, a Frankish princess (fl. 590) was the inspiration for the Snow White story. Her father's (King Chilperic I) third wife, Fredegund, is the epitome of the "Evil Stepmother" trope. When Chilperic died of dysentery, Fredegund ordered the assassination of her stepchildren so that her son could inherit the throne. Basina's brother was murdered and Basina was forced to flee, eventually seeking shelter and becoming a nun (she later organized a nun rebellion and kidnapped her convent's prioress, but that's another story). Fredegund continued to be absolutely batshit insane. She was jealous of her daughter, Rigunth, and tried to kill her by crushing the lid of a chest down onto her neck. Fredegund is also suspected of assassinating King Sigebert I, and attempted to assassinate Sigebert's son, King Guntram of Burgundy, and Queen Brunhilde (Fredegunde did succeed in murdering Brunhilde's sister, Queen Galswintha, and although Fredegunde didn't succeed in killing Brunhilde, her son Chlothar II did. Chlothar defeated Brunhilde in battle and executed her by having her pulled apart by four horses). Fredegunde also ordered a bishop to be stabbed to death while he was conducting Easter Mass. I think Fredegunde was so damn terrifying that she embedded herself into the German psyche in the form of every evil queen and stepmother.
@@mollsch6820 this would be the 500s-600s AD, before France and Germany were even a thing. They were broken up into tiny kingdoms, Basina's father was king of Neustria, which was technically in France but the Franks occupied both Germany as well.
What an excellent observation! Thank you immensely for sharing your insight. I hadn't thought of Fredegund myself, but I wholeheartedly agree that she embodies the essence of the evil queen character in many fairytales. This truly highlights what I cherish most about engaging with my viewers: the opportunity to learn and grow together 🖤
Thanx for info , is she basina of thuringia ? Most brother Grimm fairy tales are based on earliest societies like franks & gauls or Germanic tribes describing their lives.
That mirror talks too much. All it had to say was that Snow White was fairer. The Queen didn't need to know the location. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Awesome video. ❤🔥❤🔥❤🔥❤🔥❤🔥 Thanks for sharing.
So many more questions about the mirror I can’t even think about the actual story . Who made it ? How was it made ? Is it alive ? Is it like AI terminator or more like a simple computer ? Can it move like Harry Potter pictures ? So many questions unanswered ….
Ikr? "Snitches get stitches!" springs to mind. Mirrors are fragile and should mind their Ps and Qs! ...& Come to think of it, I wonder where that saying comes from, what Ps? Which Qs? 🤷😁
I can relate to these tales.. as I was adopted at 5yrs old after spending 5yrs in multiple foster homes.. My adoptive mother(step-mother) was the Archetype of these wicked women.. Treating me with contempt, jealousy, envy all my life.. Hating when my father ever gave me any hint of affection or tried to stand up for me. It's very sad but true...these tales are more real than sum people realize... In fact my friends over the yrs have nicknamed me.. SNOW WHITE(my appearance) And Cinderella(my mother's treatment of me and my life in general) .. I'm 54 now and my adoptive parents passed a few yrs ago... But even up til her death ..my "step-mother" still treated me cruely when I was around her. Very sad to grow up hated by a woman you only wanted love and acceptance from especially after being abandoned by my birth mother..and never having a chance to meet either birth parents as they had passed by the time I was 30 and i found out who they were..
I'm so sorry this happened to you, but there are numerous steps that have given their stepchildren nothing but love; however, once the father dies there will be a no holds brawl for assets and the stepmom will have had her thumb on the scales when the will was made.
Oh my! Me too! I was hated by my adoptive mother - dad was okay. - I had an awful miserable appalling childhood. I was forcibly taken away from my birth mother - she was young and had no money and no home -, but I met her later on in life and she was wonderful .Both she and my adoptive parents have now passed, but I found out that my birth mother had married a decade after my adoption, and I have a sister and two brothers. So both bad and good things happened. But there was so much that was not understood about adopted kids back then and birth mothers could be poorly treated too.
Margeuerethe Von Waldek was the epitome of Classic Snow White . I did a video on a painting I found of her and the cosmetics most likely used at that time in history. Unfortunately my account got hacked, but it was fun learning about her . She was a Princess from Hesse. I might have to try doing it again. Lots of politics between her families.
The problem with the evil stepmothers is that in the very first published version of “Children’s and Household Tales” had the MOTHER be Snow White’s persecutor. Not stepmother. Full fledged biological mother. This changed in later iterations because it strongly went against the Grimm’s desires to share what they believed to be German values. This meant that the villainess had to change. Hence the introduction of the Evil Stepmother. Yes, the Brothers Grimm were the first to do what Disney did: sanitize their own dark stories.
My mother grew up in the 1930's in what was at the time East Prussia a part of Germany and was imbued with German folk tales especially the Bros. Grimm. And grim they were as she retold them to me, this little American kid who wasn't quite used to these kind of children's stories. One telling of Cinderella was a bit more gruesome than Disney's version. Apparently when the prince was searching the land for the owner of the glass slipper left by Cinderella at the ball , her two ugly stepsisters were determined to fit into that slipper to marry the prince. However their feet were too large . So before the prince tried the slipper on the first sister, she lopped off her toes and bandaged her foot, then fit easily into the shoe. But a magical crow came to the prince and warned him by saying "cruu cruu cruu, there's blood in the shoe" and so the prince caught the deception. The next sister tried the same thing only this time cutting off her heel so she could fit. But again the crow tattled and the prince found out. But while he was at their home, he met and tried the shoe on Cinderella and this time the crow said something to the effect of " the fit is true". And the rest everyone knows. Needless to say, as a little kid I had a few nightmares about this.
Thank you for sharing :) 🖤 The original Cinderella has come horrific elements for sure! I hope to make a video on it in the future. Thank you for watching!
I remember the same thing but with doves. They said "Roogedigoo, there's blood in the shoe. The shoe is too small, the rightful bride is still at home." (Translated from German)
That element of crippling the feet for the sake of beauty and finding a husband makes me wonder whether Cinderella might have Chinese origins, because of the footbinding they did on their women (and women had to have small feet in order to be eligible for marriage.) However in China they did it on small girls, not grown women.
Fun fact the guy who drew Disney's Snow White was an American of Icelandic descent he based her look of off a lady who was also of Icelandic decent she was from the West of Iceland. I am genetically also from the West of Iceland and I have see through/beyond pale skin and my hair is basically black. Women from that area often have this combination, my great grandma had the same coloring as me.
Interesting. Isn't Björk from West Iceland? She definitely has that coloration. When I visited Iceland years ago, there was a predominantly very tall, blond haired, and fair-skinned population, but there also was a less common group of dark haired and fair-skinned people who tended to be shorter.
Something we don’t like to talk about today is how competitive some moms are with their daughters. My daughter is 19 and I’m so proud of the person she is. I’m excited to find out what this kind, thoughtful, brilliant, stunningly gorgeous child of mine is going to do with herself because the truth is, the world is her oyster. I’m not jealous of her because I had my time. I married the love of my life when I was young and beautiful, and we built a life I’m proud of. I’m thrilled now to let my daughter have her day in the sun. But the stories she tells me about some of her friends’ moms… 😬
Having worked in the school district I've seen mom's get so jealous of their kids successes and of their good relationship with their teachers, and they they to sabotage them
@@Hannari-xt6nr I think you misunderstand. Good relationship meaning the teacher being able to mentor the children when they are "high risk". I've worked in inner city schools with kids who were at risk of committing crime and failing when they got older and not having involved parents. So teachers build relationships meaning letting them open up to them and not treating them like a number in the classroom and looking out for them. We've had students whose parents were locked up or partied a lot and had no direction or good role models. We helped their academic self esteem and so on. Some parents appreciated but many got mad that their kids loved us even though their kids improved in their schooling and they didn't care. We would try to keep open communication with these parents and many didn't want to. Moat were single moms or grandma's just passing the years and getting a check because their kidsnwere classified. We literally had a mom sabotage her son from progressing to a better program because she knew she wouldn't get the sake "incentives". I'm telling you these parents were sick. We had one boy we would give a second lunch because he was always hungry. Another kid we'd wash their hair because mom wasn't taking care of them. I don't mean buddy relationships but adult figures they can lean on
@@Hannari-xt6nr wow you're so out of touch. Probably shouldn't speak on things you don't know about. I've actually checked in on these kids and they're doing much better than they were when me and other staff firdt met them. Many even got out of special ed. Like I said not all the parents were like that. Many actually kept open communication with us and worked as a team to help their kids. Sadly not all parents all like that. All kids deserve parents but not all parents deserve kids. Even worked with foster kids who went through abuse. Heartbreaking. A child can't learn if they're dealing with trauma or feel like no one cares. We weren't their friends. We were very disciplinary and had expectations in thr classroom and they knew that. But they knew we also cared. Also I always made sure to equip them with coping skills so they'd be okay when the school year was over snd i wouldn't be with them anymore. Just from your comments to me and the initial comment from the nice mom, you honestly seem miserable. Might wanna get checked to see why you're so hyper negative over nothing. 🤔
@@Hannari-xt6nr wow projecting much. You can't even be happy for thr kids getting out of special ed and learning how to cope in their situations and being better people instead of being in the streets. You claimed to be in UN and now you're a neurologist. Bruh you're funny 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I'll pray for you
I've read the Grimm's Fairy Tales and they are "grim" -- pun intended -- to say the least. Many encompass tales of starvation, obviously covering a time of starvation in Germany. Hansel and Gretel is a prime example. The majority seem to feature dreams of food, many with whole tables filled with food, from roast beef to amazing deserts.
@@juniorjames7076 Hansel and Gretel is a story of a starving family leaving 2 children in the woods to fend for themselves because they couldn't feed them. Not a tale of hope to me.
When I was a child, I had an old book of the Grimms’ fairy tales, complete with engraved illustrations. Some of them were pretty realistic, not to say really scary. They just delighted me, as much as the dark side of many tales!
Actually, it is the lie that Hans and Grete Metzler told (Hansel and Gretel are diminutive forms that you give to children) to justify the murder of Katharina Schrader. For context: Katharina Schrader was born in Wernigerode in the Harz Mountains in 1618 as the daughter of a charcoal burner. She became a baker and developed a gingerbread recipe that was also very popular in southern Germany. By the way, she was by no means old, nor ugly, and certainly not a witch. The Nuremberg baker Hans Metzler wanted to marry her, probably to get the recipe, but Katharina turned him down. In revenge, he reported her as a witch in her hometown of Wenigerode. Surprise ! Not many people know that, there were also women who had to face a witch trial who were acquitted by the court and declared innocent.... Katharina was one of them.... the court files are still in Wernigerode today. Katharina fled from her stalker Hans Metzler to the Spessart, where she bought a property near Marburg and lived as a recluse in the forest. Hans and his sister Grete ( no children at all , at the time) tracked down the woman who lived alone and murdered her... they didn't get the gingerbread recipe... that was still there when the ruins of the house were discovered in the 1960s ...as well as Katharina Schrader's bones in one of the 3 ovens. The recipe was clearly written in Katharina Schrader's handwriting... it could be compared graphically with Katharina's declaration in the Wernigerroder court files and her signature. They probably tried to burn the body after strangling her... but that didn't work - her bones were only slightly sunken. When Katharina died she was in her mid-30s. After their terrible act, the siblings spread the lie about the "witch" who "wanted to eat them" throughout the Spessart... and clashed over their "heroism" in escaping a "witch" to justify the murder. So it's actually a criminal case. Unfair towards Katharina... The lie became a fairy tale and the Brothers Grimm wrote it down about 200 years later..... so she is still framed as a malicious witch, even though she was just a talented baker who became the victim of a murder out of envy and greed vindictiveness.
I subscribe to very few channels as I am a demon for good grammar and use of language. I have been consistently impressed by the content and the research of each of your offerings. Congratulations on producing such captivating content. You have gained another subscriber today. Keep up the good work!
@@michellekeith5602English is one of the most, if not the most, butchered languages. Users of other languages by comparison jealously guard the correct usage of their languages. Relatively speaking. And they will correct you on your errors. By comparison. I know speakers of other languages who would laugh or mock or even scold you when you make an error in grammar or vocabulary or pronunciation. But when it comes to English, we're allowed to be lax?
@@MisterHowzat unfortunately, I believe that the grammatical lax is the symptom to a much greater and much more worrisome problem . I feel it reflects the " whatever" attitude that has become it's own culture or plague as it were. I agree while heatedly with you when you state that our language is more often than not, the scene of a massacre. I will admit to being able to speak 3.5 languages as I can understand more than I speak currently , and yet I have no doubt I am better versed and probably only have minor offenses when speaking other languages. 🤣🤣🤣
@@MisterHowzat I would like to clarify the half language. I have 3 daughters ages 23, 21, and 19. The language they speak is a new version of English that I am having to study if I want to know or understand anything they are talking about . A wonderful example is something called the Gen z Genesis breakdown. I am a Christian and this breakdown is in fact accurate biblically while simultaneously being a mass murderer of our language 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Allow me to yet again praise the incredible archaeological work carried out, allowing a strange window to open just ajar into a human past way beyond the confines of traditional literature and history. As usual the impeccable voiceover work with crystal clear vowels and a constant tempo, even through the most harrowing passages, really make your videos stand out.
There certainly are elements of both the old stories in the Snow White. Fascinating stories. The brothers Grimm saved these old tales with their own imaginative elements.
Grimm took old folk tales and softened them, the original tales often ware way more brutal and many of them have real events as background. Bluebeard for instance has its origins in Gilles de Rais, a brutal serial killer in the 100 years war and the tales spun after his death! The wolf in Little Red Riding hood, in its original tale was very likely a werewolf in its original story!
@@anniesavidge2468 Jepp we will never fully know anymore, the original form of the tales often has been lost! And yes their version was brutal, but that was the 19th century, I know 19th century childrens tales like Struwelpeter, which was way more brutal than whatever Grimm had in their collection (Struwelpeter was even illustrated with fingers being cut off etc...) and that book was seem as an educational book!
they were extremely Christian and belonged to a strict typenof christianity that hated women and they actually sanitized the tales and added lessons they sometimes didn't have! they sucked. like Cinderella's original slippers were fur!
Mothers in many periods of time, at least among the very rich or ‘high born’ weren’t encouraged or even allowed to become close to their children. They used wet nurses. In some historical books I’ve read some women who wanted to care for their own children were punished. Punished doesn’t always mean beaten. These ‘noble women’ were expected to use Nannie’s, wet nurses and attend to their roles in court. This could easily end with the mother feeling jealous and violent to what she believed was a threat. A few books have theorized that most peasant or serf women were far closer to their children and mourned heavily when a child died
This isn't entirely true. While noblewomen did have servants to attend to the labours of childrearing, they were still close and formed bonds with their children and genuinely grieved losses. I can think of several noblewomen from English history alone who had bonds with their children.
Thank you so much. I wasn’t sure what to do with myself this Easter Sunday here in Oz. You just saved me from total boredom. I hope you have been well. That was quite a break from content. I actually like the nature explanation out of the three. It seems to make the most sense.
I was amazed by the parallels between the Snow White fairy tale and the life of the German Countess Margaretha von Waldeck... her story definitely seems to me to be the origin of the fairy tale... I had never heard of her story before or the connection to the fairy tale - excellent video... your devoted darkling...
Hello again, this was very interesting, I grew up with Greek Mythology, the Grimm’s fairy tales in their original form, and Baba Yaga stories as my night time stories. I distinctly recall the wicked Queen having to dance in red hot iron shoes until she died. The punishments meted out in the Grim stories were very gruesome, but easily accepted as a child. I am inclined toward Margarethe as the source for the tale, given the close parallels to the Snow White story. I seem to recall that she bore a child to the Prince while still in her deathlike slumber, which would indicate her growing up whilst in that state, and the Prince doing more than kissing her. I must look up the tale again to see that I am not misremembering. These stories of my childhood were like old friends, each bearing within it important lessons and warnings of what could befall a girl who didn’t pay attention to the full arc of these tales. The Greek Mythology stories likewise carried messages of what happened to those who failed to treat strangers (who could be Gods) with a proper degree of hospitality, and the rewards for showing respect and charity. In the Baba Yaga stories, she was always up to mischief, but her kind hearted Daughter and wise cat always managed to unravel her wicked plans, so they came to naught. I’m glad I was brought up on these tales, for they have stuck with me over these many years, and in my 70s, still carry the wonder I found in them as a child. I do not think the “cleaning up” of these tales, so children would not be traumatised by them was a positive choice. Children are much more flexible than they are given credit for being. I very much enjoyed your thoughts on possible source material, but might add, my Grandmother often attributed them the rights of passage in a girl’s life, Seven is the age of reason, and is often the age at which some foolish act brings a serious consequence. Sixteen marks her transition into womanhood, and her time of being tested, to prove she has absorbed the qualities a good Wife and Mother must display to make a good Marriage. I would love to see you tackle more of this kind of material going forward. Thank you again for a very thoughtful provoking presentation that took me back to my childhood, when these tales were fresh and new to me. I very much enjoyed revisiting my child reactions, where I tried to warn the protagonist against some foolish action I knew would not see her faring well, and my delight at her being saved by love, or some talking animal she had treated well.🖤🇨🇦
Thank you so much for your lovely comment and sharing all your insights! The number seven is definitely significant in the tale of Snow White, so it was interesting to read about your grandmother's interpretation that it could be connected to the rights of passage in a girl's life. Thank you for watching, I'm so happy you enjoyed the video! :) 🖤
@@The-Resurrectionistsif you would be interested, I could share some of the more intriguing tales for you to have a go at. I fully understand if you would prefer to pick tales without suggestions, so please don’t take me as being pushy. I am so glad I found your channel, as so many people dismiss “fairy tales” as nonsense, intended to scare children into being good. They are so much more than that. I’m loving what you do.🖤🇨🇦
Seven and Sixteen? [Ponders] are you sure your modern filters aren't editing your memory for you? and it wasn't fourteen, seven and seven plus seven, I recall a lot of fourteen year old brides in noble houses and elsewhere down through history.
@@pelinoregeryon6593 It depends on where in the world you are, and when. Many girls were formally married between 12 and 14, but didn’t share their `husband’s bed until 16. In medieval times, in many countries, they began having babies at 14 because death came too easily and often. I know, in the story, Sleeping Beauty fell into suspended animation at 16, and in some translations Snow White was 7 when she ate the apple, and 9 years passed before the bite of apple was dislodged, waking her up, making her 16 when she woke and was Married.🖤🇨🇦
@@tamarrajames3590 OK, it was just a mildly random thought that led to my query anyway, I must be remembering the middle ages then 🙂 🤔 and probably imperfectly anyway, it was a long time ago after all 😁
German here. I grew up with a slightly different version that is still much closer to what you told. It was the mother wishing for the beauty like you narrated but then the evil step mother who did all these things. Snow white was a little older (more like 13 to 15). Everything happened like you told with the hunter and the dwarfs and the murder attempts, but instead of the whole period of the prince obsessing over her and dining with her they dropped the coffin while about to transport it to the castle, and then the piece of the apple got dislodged. They married (not even knowing each other) and invited the stepmother, and the dancing to death in the red-hot iron shoes happened like in the version you have.
I'm Dutch and I also grew up with very similar versions, not the watered down Disney version. It was just that the story was cut off at the moment the prince arrived. I never heard about him carrying the coffin around.
This was the first version I heard as well. Later I heard one where the mother was tied to the moon in some way and so fluctuated between good and evil depending on the fullness of the moon and that her father was tied to the sun. Snow White was born at twilight and so was considered a balance between them. In that version it’s the mother going in and out of her evil state on the new moon that is jealous of Snow White. The 7 dwarves were all tired to something too… I’m forgetting what… maybe the planets? It was supposed to be like the alchemist’s version of the story full of symbolism.
My own thoughts on the seven dwarves are that they originally represented the 7 stars of the plough. This has been a significant and influential constellation and is often the only one many people can identify. The Romans knew it as Septentrionis, the seven ploughing oxen, who turned the night sky like oxen turned a million stone, as in the past it was the circumpolar constellation in the centre of the sky, it isn't anymore due to procession of the equinoxes. The motif of death and apparent resurrection is interesting. If my circumpolar theory contributes to the tale then it might be worth noting the centre of the night sky, around which the plough appeared to rotate, was thought to be held up by a pole, upon death it was thought the spirit of the departed would climb this pole to the celestial realm where they would live on after their apparent demise. The word dwarf and their English equivalent the Duergar, appear to be beings composed of darkness that inhabit the night, the name appears to stem from a word for dark, whereas "elf", their opposites, were conceived as beings of light. In northern English folklore the Duergar tries to lure travellers to tragedy in the treacherous uplands in the darkness but are dispelled by the coming of dawn. In the past travelling at night across rough terrain was indeed fraught with very real dangers. The magical properties of mirrors stems from the belief that what you were seeing was the spirit world and your reflection was your own spirit, vampires, who had no soul, had no reflection, and to break a mirror would, it was thought, affect your spirit and you'd suffer seven years bad luck as a result. Apples, it seems, turn up in many folk takes, ascribed properties that would, for example, enable one to see the faeries, imposing a mind altered state that made this and other insights possible. I wonder if cider might have something to do with this, in the past if you were drunk it was thought you were possessed by the spirits or gods, imbued with divine wisdom, knowledge and perceptions.
Wow, that's a terrific explanation for the seven dwarfs - much better than my thought that the Pleiadies (also known as the 7 Sisters, although no one ever seems to be able to count 7 of them) are somehow involved. There are also the seven visible planets, counting the Sun and Moon as planets because they move in the sky, then the rest of the planets up to Saturn. But I can't, at the moment see any links to Snow White. It has struck me that many of these fairy tales have versions in, for example, Korea and Japan. I would love to know how the time scale works - how long ago did they appear in these cultures?
Light elves were sometimes mixed with ghostly figures, white ladies. Bright and white not necessarily meaning good, but neutral. Duergar is used so vaguely, they might be full size or tiny, bringing disease.
@@deny.defend.depose.2 yes, it was thought alcoholic intoxication was caused by you being possessed by a spirit, what today we would call being drunk. Sometimes it was thought a magic vessel gave the liquid in it the transformation needed to bring on the spirit to possess you. The ancient Greeks believed alcoholic liquid flowed in the veins of the gods. Jesus told his disciples wine would transform into his blood and would infuse them with the Holy Spirit.
Good heavens... I am always flabbergasted by the amount of research you folks do! This story is no exception, and I am in awe by the detail you provide. So many records to dig through ... and I would be mean and petty if I were to just give a thumbs up. I am now binge-watching your series - and no doubt will need to again to assimilate everything. Thankyou so very much,
This was a topic at school which I found absolutely fascinating as I have always loved fairy tales. We read several variations of the fairy tales and a historical explanation was given. So interesting!
Again another great presentation leaving three options which could all or non be true. As folk law...fairy tales can change and differ from regions there may well be a combination of the evidence...unfortunately we can't ask the Grim brothers. Are you aware of any original documents still in existence from the brothers? Like others here....I saw my notification of your excellent work and clicked on it immediately 😀 Well done 👏
Your support means everything to me, thank you! 🖤 Regrettably, the survival of original documents from the Grimm's collection is sparse. While there exist a few early draft versions of the stories they gathered before publication, none offer any insight into their sources. One interesting aspect of Snow White lies within the Grimm's notes: rather than the servant hitting her back to wake her, Snow White's revival is attributed to her father's royal physicians. According to the Grimm's draft version, her father directed them to tie ropes to Snow White and to each corner of the room, miraculously bringing her back to life!
It is not the only tale they got wrong so is the story of Rapunzel it's basically based on the story of King Solomon's daughter... And has been around for close to 2000 years before they got to it.
Have you done a video yet on the Nursery song, "London Bridge is Falling Down"? I think that would be an interesting one to go over. Keep up the good work, these videos are really fascinating.
That song is also in Norwegian, as a goup game, and is said to be from the actual time when our viking king Olav Haraldson and his fleet pulled the bridge down by running toews around the pillars ardn then rowing the longships downstream. Early 1000`s (he died 1030, to become our national saint and etarnal king)
Uuuuhhh... I love this video. Finally someone who tells the Grimm-version without the "Kiss ends the spell" stuff. 😄 And you even mentioned "Gold Tree and Silver Tree!" 🤩 I never thought about a possible root in reality.
Thank you for your research. You know, I went down the rabbit hole on this tale. Somethings I came across was really fascinating. The tale as we know it came about around 1919. Something else happened around that time, IBM. If you look into your phone or computer screen, it is a dark mirror. And today we can ask it questions like, who's the fairest of them all. How long did computers exist before it became public?
Mirrors have been used for scrying for centuries. Scrying is intently staring into a silvered or blackened piece of glass or mirror until you see visions.
8:33 it’s ironic, because just as we got to this point in the story, where in modern times we’ve heard the prince unable to help himself kisses her just once… but she’s been dead for years. It’s a tad unseemly. This way makes better sense .
If we assume the dwarves of the story are supposed to be based on some type of real life version. But I have always assumed they have been put in the story as supernatural beings, that they are German folklore dwarves, nature spirits, or one version of the fairy, the ones who live inside mountains and guard the treasures the land hides. They make that magic coffin for her, and it would be easy to assume that at least at the time when the Grimm brothers finally wrote the tale down people who told it or heard it assumed that she did indeed mature and grow up while in the coffin, as far as I have been able to find out the people at that time had pretty much the same idea of child marriages as we do, and would have thought the idea of a child marrying an adult, even if a young adult, man rather scandalous, fairy tale or not. The average age for marrying seems to have been more or less in the early to mid-twenties. The only exception was political marriages between royal houses, and even then the consummation of the marriage usually waited until both were at least in the older teens.
@@deerinheadlights100 Yes. That's right. I live close to the area of Germany, where this story originated. The Siebengebirge (7 mountain area). That's where the number 7 comes from. This region used to have copper mines and the miners often started working there as children already. With the lack of sunlight and proper nutrition causing stunted growth and malformations from Rachitis (rickets) (severe lack of vit D from sunlight). And there you have your dwarves. Who, of course, would have often shared accomodations. Both because they were poor and because they weren't well regarded by the rest of society.
my son had two children. his wife abandoned he and the young children and ran off with another man and later on my son met and developed a live in relationship with what we would consider to be a “evil stepmother“ type who had two children of her own that were brought into the relationship. My granddaughter and my grandson were absolutely miserable because of the way they were treated by my son‘s live-in girlfriend and while my son was gone out of the house working, my grandchildren were abused. I told my grandchildren to read Grimm story tales knowing that step mothers are usually quite evil toward their step children in various stories including Hansel and Gretel. Numerous people prayed to God and the woman is now gone from their lives. My grandchildren recently moved into an apartment with their dad and with no “evil stepmother“ or “evil preferred step siblings” To vex them anymore. Praise be to God for answering prayer
For 5 years now I have seen the word narcissist used online no less than 5 times per day EVERY day, every time someone wants to describe a bad person. It has come to have NO definition. There are actual people out there who are narcissists & the use of the term isbeyond out of control. I’m talking, it’s used in place of common words!!!
@@YaelleG Yep, where have the words "self-centered" and "selfish" gotten to? Much less used nowadays, not even when they'd be appropriate and accurate. But the mother in Snow White probably is an actual narcissist, with very severe sociopathy.
@@YaelleG except it is _literally_ what these mothers are… they are women with narcissistic personality disorder who hate their own daughters for reminding their fragile egos that they are aging. Narcissistic women see other women as sexual competition. So maybe people do misuse the term elsewhere but it is not being misused in this context.
I was really afraid when I first came to this video. I'm a teacher from Germany and I hab to grade papers about modern versions of old fairytale themes. In more than one paper my students just copied what they found on the Internet about "the true snowwhite". Not realising, there's no evidence for that assumption. I am so greatful, this video shows the stories of the women as a likely inspiration to a nee way of telling tales, that origin dates way back even B.C.
When I took a course in Children’s Literature in university, we were told that faerie tales were created for adults not children. It was Walt Disney who invented “happily ever after.” There wasn’t any entertainment like TV, radios, books, etc, adults made up stories to entertain each other while spending time together after the day’s work done. And if you believe that adults back then were worried about their children’s mental health, just loo to Iceland where it got so bad that the government told Icelandic parents to stop frightening their children with stories, especially the Grylla & her 12 awful children. Parents used these stories to frighten children into behaving.
With most fairytales and mythology you will find elements that either mirror or closely mimic a real figure or event in history. Fascinating, yet a bit frightening
The entry of Norway in the upcoming ESC brought me here. That Nordic poem turned into a song immediately made me think of Snow White, the story is very very similar.
My Dear Darkling. I absolutely love this one. Your acent with the German words are perfect. You are a hero my friend (if that is OK to call you). The whole world must hear your voice and your amazing history. You really make this old man's insomnia well worth having. Thank you x
Very nice. Being German, I was aware of most of these connections, but I'm impressed to see it so thoroughly covered in a UA-cam video. Looking forward to checking out some of your videos about topics, I'm less familiar with.
Yeah for some reason my mom decided it would be appropriate to raise me with the original versions. The little mermaid was my favorite because every step she took caused her pain in her legs and i, unfortunately, could relate to that.
My mom raised me with the original little mermaid too! She was pretty explicit about the moral “if you fall in love with someone your parents don’t approve of, the person won’t love you anyway and you end up dead.”
I love the eloquent storytelling, Amazing job! As with many fables, I think their origins lie deep in the annals of prehistory and change over time with retellings and historical relevancies. I believe “Beauty and the Beast” and “Jack and the beanstalk” are among the oldest known stories going back thousands of years, and no doubt picked up new meanings over the centuries. As for Sleeping Beauty, I like the Seasonal explanation. As you remarked we are now most familiar with the Disney narrative (my favorite movie version is Blancanieves (2012))
I'm delighted to hear that you found it enjoyable! 🖤 It's truly fascinating how these stories serve as windows to a distant past, offering insights into the cultures and beliefs of bygone eras. I plan to delve into both 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Jack and the Beanstalk' in future videos :)
Disney did what they were allowed to do, what anyone can do with stories that are public domain. They adapted them to their own personal medium. That hardly means that no one else can or hasn’t made their own versions of these stories.
Interestingly, the cottage of the “Witch” was discovered through looking for a place that paralleled the illustration of two trees flanking a path in the original publication. It led to a cottage that belonged to an elderly woman who was a baker and maker of sweets. She was murdered by being pushed into her own oven, and the Brother and Sister stole her savings, arriving home to change the circumstances of their family, using the old woman’s money and jewellery. Her bones were discovered in her oven when the burned cottage was investigated for clues of what had happened. An entire book was written on the subject some years ago, and I’m sorry I have forgotten the title and author, but it might be found by searching “ The true story of `Hansel and Gretel’. Good luck.🖤🇨🇦
There is. It tells of a time between 1300s to about 1850s, when there was a mini ice age across Europe, and in Germany, among other European countries, there was a great famine. Many families had to choose between abandoning their children in the Black Forest, or all starve to death. Too many mouths to feed meant certain death, but by leaving the kids int he forest at least they stood a slim chance and it halved the food bill. The canabalism element of the witch was based on the real contemporary records of starving people eating their own children I order to survive. The gingerbread element was added as it’s an ancient symbol of good times and prosperity. Ginger used to be worth a fortune and so was highly prized. The witch aspect was down to the fact that because of the heinous act of eating your own children, it was thought far too vile for a child’s own mother to do, and so the figure was crafted as a witch in order to provide a more palatable scapegoat for the terrible acts committed by normal hungry peasants.
I've seen a documentary on this one: In the Original text it's not the stepmother, but the mother. So both parents send their kids away. The witch who tried to eat them has similar habits of speech as the mother - therefore is understood to be the mother showing other personality traits. The story is a reminder of starvation times, where parents in Germany had no ther choice but to send their kids away - or eat them (not feed them).
Snow White was called Snowdrop in the original German. The poison apple was probably thornapple. The two plants have an opposite and profound effect on the nervous system, and thornapple can mimic death. Snowdrop is an antidote to this, as is fly agaric (sometimes known as the prince or king). It's possible the tale is a means of remembering and passing on knowledge of plants.
@@lindamarshall-wc4yt NO NOT TRUE, not even remotely well researched, its highly likely he didn’t even speak any german besides some simply memorized phrases. First off all: The traditional German name for „Snow White“ is actually „Schneewittchen“ a compound of 2 ancient german words (one still regularly used, one being outdated centuries ago and a grammatical diminutive. Schnee/-witt/-chen „Schnee“: literally snow, Derived fron Middle High German „snê“ from Old High German „snēo“, from Proto-West Germanic „snaiw“ „witt“ meaning white, but being almost everywhere outdated by now, and replaced with the reformed spelling „weiss“ and reformed again after WW2 spelled „weiß“ (the letter „ß“ is a replacement of the double „S“ Cognate with Danish hvid, Dutch wit, German weiß, Norwegian hvit, West Frisian wyt. „-chen“ As A diminutive word obtained by modifying a root word to convey a slighter degree of its root meaning, either to convey the smallness of the object or quality named, or to convey a sense of intimacy or endearment, and sometimes to derogatorily belittle something or someone. A diminutive form(abbreviated dim) is a word-formation device used to express such meanings Which means the English name „snow white“ is pretty good translation from the German original except not integrating the reason of the „-chen“ ending literally meaning a smaller cuter version of something and would be literally translated from German in to English „little Snow White“
Her name originally was Sneewittchen (now spelled Schneewittchen). Snowdrops are called Schneeglöckchen in German. Very similar, though not exact. That is an interesting thought about the thorn apple/jimson weed though. I think in German that's called Stechapfel, which is obviously very similar to just Apfel (apple). Interesting!
Your beautiful narration of these fary tales and possible interpretations is admirable. Please continue, your dedication to unravel the mysteries of this stories is appreciated.
I've watched and listened to a few of your videos now, excellent, intriguing, and a reminder that European culture is as deep as it's varied. Really enjoyable and excellently presented.
Some of these illustrations seem like they were in an old Reader's Digest of Grimm Brother's tales. There used to be a coloring book with the same illustrations. Once upon a time..
@@chrisdorrell1I don’t think the poster here intended anything negative. To my eye she was just sharing a memory brought up by the illustrations used.🖤🇨🇦
Thank you so much! 🖤 And yes, I have indeed! Surprisingly, the tale of Melusine is intricately linked to the origins of a nursery rhyme! I'm in the process of researching further, so I can't provide an exact date for when that video will be released, but keep an eye out for it! :)
Ever thought there were some shared elements there? a small girl breaks into someones home while they're out, finds meals set out on the kitchen table, steals food from each plate then goes to sleep in one of their beds .. have you any idea which came first? Goldilocks or Snow White? If Snow White was the older tale I might consider the possibility Goldilocks was a deliberate parody of those ellements of Snow White poking fun at the fact that what she does is actually burglary and Goldilocks hair perhaps a deliberate contrast to Snow Whites hair as part of that, so not all that disimilar to more modern parodies poking fun at ellements in old fairy tales.
Thank you for sharing your insights! 🖤 You're absolutely right about the similarities between the Goldilocks story and Snow White. While Snow White was first published in 1812, predating Goldilocks' 1837 publication, there are indications that the Goldilocks tale was known long before that date. As with most folklore, pinpointing the exact time these stories started being told orally is challenging, so there's no real way of knowing which came first.
@@The-Resurrectionists Well thanks for suggesting there might be some value in that observation 🙂 though I'm more than sure I can't be the first to ever notice that similarity 😁
That was marvellous thank you. Your research is superb and gives so much more than a simple delve into the Brothers Grimm interpretation. It is obviously a recurrent theme in ancient societies so my money is on the changing of the seasons being retold in a humanistic version. But then I love gardening so I would say that
I don't think we'll see an accurate Disney film of the original story... I've read some of the original tales and they are very Grimm indeed involving sex, murder and suicide. Snow white is quite tame by comparison.
I love your narrative of Snow White’s origins. I never would have thought about it so deeply. Now I must research and learn more about the women who could have been the muse’s for the tale
We all remember it as "Mirror, mirror," but it was actually "Magic mirror on the wall." Many people, sure of their memory of "Mirror mirror" call foul and say it can't be. It's just another example of a Mandela Effect. I remember Mirror Mirror, too
Wonderful video, thank you. As for Snowwhite still being a child, thus the prince being into that, I say no. She was still alive, only under a spell of sleep via the apple,clearly s she did not rot. So even as a child, I assumed she grew up as she slept. Bella L
Margaret’s vondorek the second one has the beauty of Snow White, pure white as snow, the hair of smooth silk that bring the innocents of her personality, and roses of her lip giving that sweet tender feeling. As to eatting the poisonous apple is so close to the Snow White.
The stories of both women seem so much like parts of the Snow White tale. So I would think that the real life women became folk legends and lead to a story that came to combine them into one being. By that time the Brothers Grimm had probably grown up hearing it in several versions. It's with gratitude that we can now have these tales still with us as they preserved them for future generations.
It's so beautiful to see the possibel origin of snow white being shared to a broader international audience. Since I live in the Spessart region in Germany and live only 20 minutes from Lohr, Snow White and the fairy tales of the brothers Grimm were always part of my life. Fun fact: Snow White became a mascot of Lohr. There even is a Statue of Snow White in town, but it's kind of a parody of her, called "Das Lohrer Schneewittchen" (The Lohr Snowwhite).
Excellent, as always. Hoping for an exploration of Baa Baa Black Sheep and the medieval wool tax, with none for the little boy...if there is enough meat on it for your channel!
What an exciting presentation! The narration is perfection. The accompanying illustrations are so fitting. Thank you for all the research that goes into making this story so poignant.
I have always wondered if the word grim actually came from the Brothers Grimm because grim is a good description of most of the tales they collected. Many of the stories are downright gruesome.
A very interesting explanation of Snow White. My only complaint is the use of Neuschwanstein Castle that is a modern rendition of the classic castle. A much older castle could have been used.
Another brilliantly insightful and thought provoking presentation into a simple ‘fairytale’ that I, from a young age have always believed to be the story of a narcissistic mother who perceived her daughter as a threat by being so beautiful (pretty) . In reality it is true that when a mother / stepmother envies her daughter in such an uncontrolled and grievous fashion it could lead to Pathological jealousy: This type of jealousy is irrational and can include extreme insecurity, as well as a desire to control and manipulate - in no instances was there a rational explanation of why the Queens were jealous or if they habitually dispensed of their rivals!…maybe they needed therapy to irradiate those negative emotions…more please (Request = Rapunzel) 😊✨
The Scandinavian king Kristian II (1481-1559) fell in love with Dyveke, the daughter of a Dutch tavern owner in Bergen. Of course they couldn't marry, so he had her as a 'frilla' (a mistress with privileges ). The tavern owner, the mother, became influential and powerful in the royal court. At 16 Dyveke, was killed by poisoned cherries. Was it the nobility, a rival kingdom, the new queen or even the mother...? Who knows. My first thought coming across the story was: "Snow-white!!".
Cupid and Psyche is another ancient story in this vein. However, I don't think one should be reductionist i.e. say they are the same story. The German storytellers had a message they wanted to send, a nice if rather out-of-fashion message about girls growing up to be loving and caring however beautiful they are. So it's not the same as Apuleius, which is about Jungian "individuation" i.e. the maturation of an adult feminine personality -- at least in the interpretation of Erich Neumann, which I follow.
I'm so sorry! Weirdly, I was answering another viewers comment with their Rapunzel suggestion. I'm working my way through my comments and I've only just read your original one...so I'm very confused right now! 😅 (I think it's a sign that it's time for me to take a tea break!) It's fascinating that you bring up Cupid and Psyche-I can definitely see the parallels! Many scholars draw connections between Snow White fleeing into the woods and the concept of entering 'the underworld,' echoing mythical narratives like Cupid and Psyche or even the story of Persephone and Hades to some extent. However, I do agree that ultimately, the Grimm's version presents a cautionary tale on the perils of jealousy and serves as a warning for older women to age gracefully. Whether this was the original message or not remains somewhat unclear. Your support is greatly appreciated! :)
@@The-Resurrectionists I didn't think of Psyche but Persephone I did when you were talking about it perhaps representing the turn of the seasons, though I can't see any true connection between them other than the theme if that was what the tale represented, but then my memory of the Greek myths is largely limited to translated and anglicised (and likely sanitised for the young) versions in childhood books so I'm no doubt missing some details.
thank you so much for making these fantastic collections and comparisons. it's triggering for me when people think these stories are Disney creation. your record keeping of the origins is important work imo. please keep going. much love and admiration to you.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Welcome, Darklings, to our first dive into the origins of fairytales, starting with the iconic tale of Snow White. I hope you enjoy this exploration as much as I've enjoyed unravelling the mystery. Stay tuned for more captivating adventures ahead! 🍎✨
If you enjoyed this video and would like to support the continuation of our adventures, I'm always grateful for a cup of coffee ☕Your generosity keeps the candles burning and the mysteries unravelling:
www.buymeacoffee.com/theresurrectionists
Yours in darkness and discovery,
L x
I don't know how I came across your channel, but been watching since the 1st video. Should definitely look into any dark histories from disney and also the Disney parks (I've heard there's a few dark things that have happened since it's openings....namely in particular buildings)...and im from the UK too (most of my favourite channels are US/Canada). Keep up the amazing work ❤
I'm wondering if Elizabeth Bathory isn't an inspiration for parts of the tale.
Can you cover Snow White and Rose Red? Or even better, One Eyes, Two Eyes, Three Eyes?
This is an interesting narrative. I actually got a hold of an American translation of Grimm's Brothers Tales. I have only one book. I understand there are 4, with around 100 Tales each?
The 1937 film, the Queen never says "mirror, mirror, on the wall," she says "Magic mirror, on the wall" ;)
I've always wondered if Basina, a Frankish princess (fl. 590) was the inspiration for the Snow White story. Her father's (King Chilperic I) third wife, Fredegund, is the epitome of the "Evil Stepmother" trope. When Chilperic died of dysentery, Fredegund ordered the assassination of her stepchildren so that her son could inherit the throne. Basina's brother was murdered and Basina was forced to flee, eventually seeking shelter and becoming a nun (she later organized a nun rebellion and kidnapped her convent's prioress, but that's another story). Fredegund continued to be absolutely batshit insane. She was jealous of her daughter, Rigunth, and tried to kill her by crushing the lid of a chest down onto her neck. Fredegund is also suspected of assassinating King Sigebert I, and attempted to assassinate Sigebert's son, King Guntram of Burgundy, and Queen Brunhilde (Fredegunde did succeed in murdering Brunhilde's sister, Queen Galswintha, and although Fredegunde didn't succeed in killing Brunhilde, her son Chlothar II did. Chlothar defeated Brunhilde in battle and executed her by having her pulled apart by four horses). Fredegunde also ordered a bishop to be stabbed to death while he was conducting Easter Mass. I think Fredegunde was so damn terrifying that she embedded herself into the German psyche in the form of every evil queen and stepmother.
Thanks for the rabbit hole!
How have I never heard of this? What century are we talking??
@@mollsch6820 this would be the 500s-600s AD, before France and Germany were even a thing. They were broken up into tiny kingdoms, Basina's father was king of Neustria, which was technically in France but the Franks occupied both Germany as well.
What an excellent observation! Thank you immensely for sharing your insight. I hadn't thought of Fredegund myself, but I wholeheartedly agree that she embodies the essence of the evil queen character in many fairytales. This truly highlights what I cherish most about engaging with my viewers: the opportunity to learn and grow together 🖤
Thanx for info , is she basina of thuringia ? Most brother Grimm fairy tales are based on earliest societies like franks & gauls or Germanic tribes describing their lives.
In nearly every classic nursery rhyme, myth, and fairy tale there is a bit of historical truth/fact
That mirror talks too much. All it had to say was that Snow White was fairer. The Queen didn't need to know the location. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Awesome video. ❤🔥❤🔥❤🔥❤🔥❤🔥 Thanks for sharing.
And ruin a great story? It is good the mirror talked so much. ;-)
So many more questions about the mirror I can’t even think about the actual story .
Who made it ?
How was it made ?
Is it alive ?
Is it like AI terminator or more like a simple computer ?
Can it move like Harry Potter pictures ?
So many questions unanswered ….
Ikr? "Snitches get stitches!" springs to mind. Mirrors are fragile and should mind their Ps and Qs! ...& Come to think of it, I wonder where that saying comes from, what Ps? Which Qs? 🤷😁
@@ankavoskuilen1725 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
You are so right. LOL. My bad. I take it back. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
me thinks it was a scrying mirror
I can relate to these tales..
as I was adopted at 5yrs old after spending 5yrs in
multiple foster homes..
My adoptive mother(step-mother) was the Archetype of these wicked women..
Treating me with contempt, jealousy, envy all my life..
Hating when my father ever gave me any hint of affection or tried to stand up for me.
It's very sad but true...these tales are more real than sum people realize...
In fact my friends over the yrs have nicknamed me..
SNOW WHITE(my appearance)
And Cinderella(my mother's treatment of me and my life in general) ..
I'm 54 now and my adoptive parents passed a few yrs ago...
But even up til her death ..my "step-mother" still treated me cruely when I was around her.
Very sad to grow up hated by a woman you only wanted love and acceptance from especially after being abandoned by my birth mother..and never having a chance to meet either birth parents as they had passed by the time I was 30 and i found out who they were..
I was adopted as an infant but otherwise your story is my story.
So sorry this happened to you. How horrible. Hope you can grow beyond it
Women abuse girls worse than men in many cases.. 😡
I'm so sorry this happened to you, but there are numerous steps that have given their stepchildren nothing but love; however, once the father dies there will be a no holds brawl for assets and the stepmom will have had her thumb on the scales when the will was made.
Oh my! Me too! I was hated by my adoptive mother - dad was okay. - I had an awful miserable appalling childhood. I was forcibly taken away from my birth mother - she was young and had no money and no home -, but I met her later on in life and she was wonderful .Both she and my adoptive parents have now passed, but I found out that my birth mother had married a decade after my adoption, and I have a sister and two brothers. So both bad and good things happened. But there was so much that was not understood about adopted kids back then and birth mothers could be poorly treated too.
Margeuerethe Von Waldek was the epitome of Classic Snow White . I did a video on a painting I found of her and the cosmetics most likely used at that time in history. Unfortunately my account got hacked, but it was fun learning about her . She was a Princess from Hesse. I might have to try doing it again. Lots of politics between her families.
I love that you mention seasons! I’ve always thought it had a lot of similarities to the story of Persephone.
I did too.
What a beautiful channel you have produced. What a gift thankyou.
The problem with the evil stepmothers is that in the very first published version of “Children’s and Household Tales” had the MOTHER be Snow White’s persecutor. Not stepmother. Full fledged biological mother.
This changed in later iterations because it strongly went against the Grimm’s desires to share what they believed to be German values. This meant that the villainess had to change. Hence the introduction of the Evil Stepmother.
Yes, the Brothers Grimm were the first to do what Disney did: sanitize their own dark stories.
My mother grew up in the 1930's in what was at the time East Prussia a part of Germany and was imbued with German folk tales especially the Bros. Grimm. And grim they were as she retold them to me, this little American kid who wasn't quite used to these kind of children's stories. One telling of Cinderella was a bit more gruesome than Disney's version. Apparently when the prince was searching the land for the owner of the glass slipper left by Cinderella at the ball , her two ugly stepsisters were determined to fit into that slipper to marry the prince. However their feet were too large . So before the prince tried the slipper on the first sister, she lopped off her toes and bandaged her foot, then fit easily into the shoe. But a magical crow came to the prince and warned him by saying "cruu cruu cruu, there's blood in the shoe" and so the prince caught the deception. The next sister tried the same thing only this time cutting off her heel so she could fit. But again the crow tattled and the prince found out. But while he was at their home, he met and tried the shoe on Cinderella and this time the crow said something to the effect of " the fit is true". And the rest everyone knows. Needless to say, as a little kid I had a few nightmares about this.
Thank you for sharing :) 🖤 The original Cinderella has come horrific elements for sure! I hope to make a video on it in the future. Thank you for watching!
That version of Cinderella was in a book of Fairy Tales that I had and was the first version I heard as a tiny girl
I remember the same thing but with doves. They said "Roogedigoo, there's blood in the shoe. The shoe is too small, the rightful bride is still at home." (Translated from German)
That's the one I remember.
That element of crippling the feet for the sake of beauty and finding a husband makes me wonder whether Cinderella might have Chinese origins, because of the footbinding they did on their women (and women had to have small feet in order to be eligible for marriage.) However in China they did it on small girls, not grown women.
Fun fact the guy who drew Disney's Snow White was an American of Icelandic descent he based her look of off a lady who was also of Icelandic decent she was from the West of Iceland. I am genetically also from the West of Iceland and I have see through/beyond pale skin and my hair is basically black. Women from that area often have this combination, my great grandma had the same coloring as me.
Interesting. Isn't Björk from West Iceland? She definitely has that coloration. When I visited Iceland years ago, there was a predominantly very tall, blond haired, and fair-skinned population, but there also was a less common group of dark haired and fair-skinned people who tended to be shorter.
I am of Icelandic descent too, & I have very dark hair & very pale skin 😃
So do a lot of Irish people and they have Icelandic blood.
I'm an FBI (Full Blooded Italian). I have light, fine hair and very blue eyes. My skin is also very light, pale would describe it perfectly.
The Romans occupied Britain and left their DNA.
Something we don’t like to talk about today is how competitive some moms are with their daughters. My daughter is 19 and I’m so proud of the person she is.
I’m excited to find out what this kind, thoughtful, brilliant, stunningly gorgeous child of mine is going to do with herself because the truth is, the world is her oyster.
I’m not jealous of her because I had my time. I married the love of my life when I was young and beautiful, and we built a life I’m proud of. I’m thrilled now to let my daughter have her day in the sun.
But the stories she tells me about some of her friends’ moms… 😬
Having worked in the school district I've seen mom's get so jealous of their kids successes and of their good relationship with their teachers, and they they to sabotage them
@@Hannari-xt6nr I think you misunderstand. Good relationship meaning the teacher being able to mentor the children when they are "high risk". I've worked in inner city schools with kids who were at risk of committing crime and failing when they got older and not having involved parents. So teachers build relationships meaning letting them open up to them and not treating them like a number in the classroom and looking out for them. We've had students whose parents were locked up or partied a lot and had no direction or good role models. We helped their academic self esteem and so on. Some parents appreciated but many got mad that their kids loved us even though their kids improved in their schooling and they didn't care. We would try to keep open communication with these parents and many didn't want to. Moat were single moms or grandma's just passing the years and getting a check because their kidsnwere classified. We literally had a mom sabotage her son from progressing to a better program because she knew she wouldn't get the sake "incentives". I'm telling you these parents were sick. We had one boy we would give a second lunch because he was always hungry. Another kid we'd wash their hair because mom wasn't taking care of them. I don't mean buddy relationships but adult figures they can lean on
@@Hannari-xt6nr wow you're so out of touch. Probably shouldn't speak on things you don't know about. I've actually checked in on these kids and they're doing much better than they were when me and other staff firdt met them. Many even got out of special ed. Like I said not all the parents were like that. Many actually kept open communication with us and worked as a team to help their kids. Sadly not all parents all like that. All kids deserve parents but not all parents deserve kids. Even worked with foster kids who went through abuse. Heartbreaking. A child can't learn if they're dealing with trauma or feel like no one cares. We weren't their friends. We were very disciplinary and had expectations in thr classroom and they knew that. But they knew we also cared. Also I always made sure to equip them with coping skills so they'd be okay when the school year was over snd i wouldn't be with them anymore. Just from your comments to me and the initial comment from the nice mom, you honestly seem miserable. Might wanna get checked to see why you're so hyper negative over nothing. 🤔
@@Hannari-xt6nr wow projecting much. You can't even be happy for thr kids getting out of special ed and learning how to cope in their situations and being better people instead of being in the streets. You claimed to be in UN and now you're a neurologist. Bruh you're funny 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I'll pray for you
@@Hannari-xt6nr sure buddy 🤣🤣🤣
I've read the Grimm's Fairy Tales and they are "grim" -- pun intended -- to say the least. Many encompass tales of starvation, obviously covering a time of starvation in Germany. Hansel and Gretel is a prime example. The majority seem to feature dreams of food, many with whole tables filled with food, from roast beef to amazing deserts.
I see these stories as tales of hope, love and how to survive in a world of wars, plague and famine.
@@juniorjames7076 Hansel and Gretel is a story of a starving family leaving 2 children in the woods to fend for themselves because they couldn't feed them. Not a tale of hope to me.
Yes, always thought they were the origin of the word grim
When I was a child, I had an old book of the Grimms’ fairy tales, complete with engraved illustrations. Some of them were pretty realistic, not to say really scary. They just delighted me, as much as the dark side of many tales!
Actually, it is the lie that Hans and Grete Metzler told (Hansel and Gretel are diminutive forms that you give to children) to justify the murder of Katharina Schrader.
For context:
Katharina Schrader was born in Wernigerode in the Harz Mountains in 1618 as the daughter of a charcoal burner.
She became a baker and developed a gingerbread recipe that was also very popular in southern Germany. By the way, she was by no means old, nor ugly, and certainly not a witch.
The Nuremberg baker Hans Metzler wanted to marry her, probably to get the recipe, but Katharina turned him down.
In revenge, he reported her as a witch in her hometown of Wenigerode.
Surprise !
Not many people know that, there were also women who had to face a witch trial who were acquitted by the court and declared innocent.... Katharina was one of them.... the court files are still in Wernigerode today.
Katharina fled from her stalker Hans Metzler to the Spessart, where she bought a property near Marburg and lived as a recluse in the forest.
Hans and his sister Grete ( no children at all , at the time) tracked down the woman who lived alone and murdered her... they didn't get the gingerbread recipe... that was still there when the ruins of the house were discovered in the 1960s ...as well as Katharina Schrader's bones in one of the 3 ovens. The recipe was clearly written in Katharina Schrader's handwriting... it could be compared graphically with Katharina's declaration in the Wernigerroder court files and her signature. They probably tried to burn the body after strangling her... but that didn't work - her bones were only slightly sunken. When Katharina died she was in her mid-30s.
After their terrible act, the siblings spread the lie about the "witch" who "wanted to eat them" throughout the Spessart... and clashed over their "heroism" in escaping a "witch" to justify the murder. So it's actually a criminal case.
Unfair towards Katharina...
The lie became a fairy tale and the Brothers Grimm wrote it down about 200 years later..... so she is still framed as a malicious witch, even though she was just a talented baker who became the victim of a murder out of envy and greed vindictiveness.
I subscribe to very few channels as I am a demon for good grammar and use of language. I have been consistently impressed by the content and the research of each of your offerings. Congratulations on producing such captivating content. You have gained another subscriber today. Keep up the good work!
I'm thrilled to hear that! Thank you so much for your kind words and support 🖤
Oh how utterly fascinating . You must be the bane of text messaging's existence 🤣🤣🤣
@@michellekeith5602English is one of the most, if not the most, butchered languages. Users of other languages by comparison jealously guard the correct usage of their languages. Relatively speaking. And they will correct you on your errors. By comparison. I know speakers of other languages who would laugh or mock or even scold you when you make an error in grammar or vocabulary or pronunciation. But when it comes to English, we're allowed to be lax?
@@MisterHowzat unfortunately, I believe that the grammatical lax is the symptom to a much greater and much more worrisome problem . I feel it reflects the " whatever" attitude that has become it's own culture or plague as it were. I agree while heatedly with you when you state that our language is more often than not, the scene of a massacre. I will admit to being able to speak 3.5 languages as I can understand more than I speak currently , and yet I have no doubt I am better versed and probably only have minor offenses when speaking other languages. 🤣🤣🤣
@@MisterHowzat I would like to clarify the half language. I have 3 daughters ages 23, 21, and 19. The language they speak is a new version of English that I am having to study if I want to know or understand anything they are talking about . A wonderful example is something called the Gen z Genesis breakdown. I am a Christian and this breakdown is in fact accurate biblically while simultaneously being a mass murderer of our language 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Allow me to yet again praise the incredible archaeological work carried out, allowing a strange window to open just ajar into a human past way beyond the confines of traditional literature and history. As usual the impeccable voiceover work with crystal clear vowels and a constant tempo, even through the most harrowing passages, really make your videos stand out.
I'm so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for such a lovely comment, I appreciate your support :) 🖤
There certainly are elements of both the old stories in the Snow White. Fascinating stories. The brothers Grimm saved these old tales with their own imaginative elements.
Grimm took old folk tales and softened them, the original tales often ware way more brutal and many of them have real events as background. Bluebeard for instance has its origins in Gilles de Rais, a brutal serial killer in the 100 years war and the tales spun after his death! The wolf in Little Red Riding hood, in its original tale was very likely a werewolf in its original story!
@@werpu12I don’t know even Grimm’s versions are pretty brutal.
@@anniesavidge2468 Jepp we will never fully know anymore, the original form of the tales often has been lost! And yes their version was brutal, but that was the 19th century, I know 19th century childrens tales like Struwelpeter, which was way more brutal than whatever Grimm had in their collection (Struwelpeter was even illustrated with fingers being cut off etc...) and that book was seem as an educational book!
@@werpu12Where can you find these old original tales that you know of? Thanks
they were extremely Christian and belonged to a strict typenof christianity that hated women and they actually sanitized the tales and added lessons they sometimes didn't have! they sucked. like Cinderella's original slippers were fur!
Mothers in many periods of time, at least among the very rich or ‘high born’ weren’t encouraged or even allowed to become close to their children. They used wet nurses. In some historical books I’ve read some women who wanted to care for their own children were punished. Punished doesn’t always mean beaten. These ‘noble women’ were expected to use Nannie’s, wet nurses and attend to their roles in court. This could easily end with the mother feeling jealous and violent to what she believed was a threat. A few books have theorized that most peasant or serf women were far closer to their children and mourned heavily when a child died
Totally agree, this was the case in order to carry on the genetic line of royalty. Let alone talk about incest in the royal line.
This isn't entirely true. While noblewomen did have servants to attend to the labours of childrearing, they were still close and formed bonds with their children and genuinely grieved losses.
I can think of several noblewomen from English history alone who had bonds with their children.
Not mine 😭
Stressing ONLY IN SOME PERIODS OF TIME, ONLY IN SOME COUNTRIES AND ONLY IN SOME SOCIAL CLASSES.
Thank you so much. I wasn’t sure what to do with myself this Easter Sunday here in Oz. You just saved me from total boredom. I hope you have been well. That was quite a break from content.
I actually like the nature explanation out of the three. It seems to make the most sense.
I'm thrilled to hear that! Thank you for your support 🖤 I'm very well thank you, and I hope you are too! :)
@@The-ResurrectionistsI am doing well too thanks. Just watching your new video now actually x
Yes easter Sunday about Jesus is risen
Fascinating as always! Again-thank you for the hard work on this piece.
I was amazed by the parallels between the Snow White fairy tale and the life of the German Countess Margaretha von Waldeck... her story definitely seems to me to be the origin of the fairy tale... I had never heard of her story before or the connection to the fairy tale - excellent video... your devoted darkling...
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it :) 🖤
Beautifully spoken - yet again. Thank you.
I appreciate your kind words! Thank you for being here 🖤 :)
Mirror, mirror on the wall, L's videos are the best of all! ❤❤❤❤❤
Hello again, this was very interesting, I grew up with Greek Mythology, the Grimm’s fairy tales in their original form, and Baba Yaga stories as my night time stories. I distinctly recall the wicked Queen having to dance in red hot iron shoes until she died. The punishments meted out in the Grim stories were very gruesome, but easily accepted as a child.
I am inclined toward Margarethe as the source for the tale, given the close parallels to the Snow White story. I seem to recall that she bore a child to the Prince while still in her deathlike slumber, which would indicate her growing up whilst in that state, and the Prince doing more than kissing her. I must look up the tale again to see that I am not misremembering.
These stories of my childhood were like old friends, each bearing within it important lessons and warnings of what could befall a girl who didn’t pay attention to the full arc of these tales. The Greek Mythology stories likewise carried messages of what happened to those who failed to treat strangers (who could be Gods) with a proper degree of hospitality, and the rewards for showing respect and charity.
In the Baba Yaga stories, she was always up to mischief, but her kind hearted Daughter and wise cat always managed to unravel her wicked plans, so they came to naught. I’m glad I was brought up on these tales, for they have stuck with me over these many years, and in my 70s, still carry the wonder I found in them as a child.
I do not think the “cleaning up” of these tales, so children would not be traumatised by them was a positive choice. Children are much more flexible than they are given credit for being. I very much enjoyed your thoughts on possible source material, but might add, my Grandmother often attributed them the rights of passage in a girl’s life,
Seven is the age of reason, and is often the age at which some foolish act brings a serious consequence. Sixteen marks her transition into womanhood, and her time of being tested, to prove she has absorbed the qualities a good Wife and Mother must display to make a good Marriage. I would love to see you tackle more of this kind of material going forward.
Thank you again for a very thoughtful provoking presentation that took me back to my childhood, when these tales were fresh and new to me. I very much enjoyed revisiting my child reactions, where I tried to warn the protagonist against some foolish action I knew would not see her faring well, and my delight at her being saved by love, or some talking animal she had treated well.🖤🇨🇦
Thank you so much for your lovely comment and sharing all your insights! The number seven is definitely significant in the tale of Snow White, so it was interesting to read about your grandmother's interpretation that it could be connected to the rights of passage in a girl's life. Thank you for watching, I'm so happy you enjoyed the video! :) 🖤
@@The-Resurrectionistsif you would be interested, I could share some of the more intriguing tales for you to have a go at. I fully understand if you would prefer to pick tales without suggestions, so please don’t take me as being pushy. I am so glad I found your channel, as so many people dismiss “fairy tales” as nonsense, intended to scare children into being good. They are so much more than that. I’m loving what you do.🖤🇨🇦
Seven and Sixteen? [Ponders] are you sure your modern filters aren't editing your memory for you? and it wasn't fourteen, seven and seven plus seven, I recall a lot of fourteen year old brides in noble houses and elsewhere down through history.
@@pelinoregeryon6593 It depends on where in the world you are, and when. Many girls were formally married between 12 and 14, but didn’t share their `husband’s bed until 16. In medieval times, in many countries, they began having babies at 14 because death came too easily and often. I know, in the story, Sleeping Beauty fell into suspended animation at 16, and in some translations Snow White was 7 when she ate the apple, and 9 years passed before the bite of apple was dislodged, waking her up, making her 16 when she woke and was Married.🖤🇨🇦
@@tamarrajames3590 OK, it was just a mildly random thought that led to my query anyway, I must be remembering the middle ages then 🙂 🤔 and probably imperfectly anyway, it was a long time ago after all 😁
German here. I grew up with a slightly different version that is still much closer to what you told.
It was the mother wishing for the beauty like you narrated but then the evil step mother who did all these things. Snow white was a little older (more like 13 to 15).
Everything happened like you told with the hunter and the dwarfs and the murder attempts, but instead of the whole period of the prince obsessing over her and dining with her they dropped the coffin while about to transport it to the castle, and then the piece of the apple got dislodged.
They married (not even knowing each other) and invited the stepmother, and the dancing to death in the red-hot iron shoes happened like in the version you have.
Me, too!!!
I am English and this is the version that I grew up with.
I'm Dutch and I also grew up with very similar versions, not the watered down Disney version. It was just that the story was cut off at the moment the prince arrived. I never heard about him carrying the coffin around.
This was the first version I heard as well. Later I heard one where the mother was tied to the moon in some way and so fluctuated between good and evil depending on the fullness of the moon and that her father was tied to the sun. Snow White was born at twilight and so was considered a balance between them. In that version it’s the mother going in and out of her evil state on the new moon that is jealous of Snow White. The 7 dwarves were all tired to something too… I’m forgetting what… maybe the planets? It was supposed to be like the alchemist’s version of the story full of symbolism.
My favorite! Gregory Maguire's novel Mirror Mirror reimagines her as Lucrezia Borgia..
Didn't "Mirror, Mirror" reimagine the stepmother as Lucrezia Borgia?
I loved that book
I remember reading that story. Very interesting take on the Snow White story.
My own thoughts on the seven dwarves are that they originally represented the 7 stars of the plough. This has been a significant and influential constellation and is often the only one many people can identify. The Romans knew it as Septentrionis, the seven ploughing oxen, who turned the night sky like oxen turned a million stone, as in the past it was the circumpolar constellation in the centre of the sky, it isn't anymore due to procession of the equinoxes. The motif of death and apparent resurrection is interesting. If my circumpolar theory contributes to the tale then it might be worth noting the centre of the night sky, around which the plough appeared to rotate, was thought to be held up by a pole, upon death it was thought the spirit of the departed would climb this pole to the celestial realm where they would live on after their apparent demise. The word dwarf and their English equivalent the Duergar, appear to be beings composed of darkness that inhabit the night, the name appears to stem from a word for dark, whereas "elf", their opposites, were conceived as beings of light. In northern English folklore the Duergar tries to lure travellers to tragedy in the treacherous uplands in the darkness but are dispelled by the coming of dawn. In the past travelling at night across rough terrain was indeed fraught with very real dangers. The magical properties of mirrors stems from the belief that what you were seeing was the spirit world and your reflection was your own spirit, vampires, who had no soul, had no reflection, and to break a mirror would, it was thought, affect your spirit and you'd suffer seven years bad luck as a result. Apples, it seems, turn up in many folk takes, ascribed properties that would, for example, enable one to see the faeries, imposing a mind altered state that made this and other insights possible. I wonder if cider might have something to do with this, in the past if you were drunk it was thought you were possessed by the spirits or gods, imbued with divine wisdom, knowledge and perceptions.
Wow, that's a terrific explanation for the seven dwarfs - much better than my thought that the Pleiadies (also known as the 7 Sisters, although no one ever seems to be able to count 7 of them) are somehow involved. There are also the seven visible planets, counting the Sun and Moon as planets because they move in the sky, then the rest of the planets up to Saturn. But I can't, at the moment see any links to Snow White.
It has struck me that many of these fairy tales have versions in, for example, Korea and Japan. I would love to know how the time scale works - how long ago did they appear in these cultures?
What an interesting explanation it .makes a lot of sense to me
Light elves were sometimes mixed with ghostly figures, white ladies. Bright and white not necessarily meaning good, but neutral. Duergar is used so vaguely, they might be full size or tiny, bringing disease.
Is that why alcohol is called _spirits?!_
@@deny.defend.depose.2 yes, it was thought alcoholic intoxication was caused by you being possessed by a spirit, what today we would call being drunk. Sometimes it was thought a magic vessel gave the liquid in it the transformation needed to bring on the spirit to possess you. The ancient Greeks believed alcoholic liquid flowed in the veins of the gods. Jesus told his disciples wine would transform into his blood and would infuse them with the Holy Spirit.
Good heavens... I am always flabbergasted by the amount of research you folks do! This story is no exception, and I am in awe by the detail you provide. So many records to dig through ... and I would be mean and petty if I were to just give a thumbs up. I am now binge-watching your series - and no doubt will need to again to assimilate everything. Thankyou so very much,
Are you from Boston, by any chance? 🎭
Still resembled a child? Amazing twist I'd never considered before! Thanks!
This was a topic at school which I found absolutely fascinating as I have always loved fairy tales. We read several variations of the fairy tales and a historical explanation was given. So interesting!
Again another great presentation leaving three options which could all or non be true.
As folk law...fairy tales can change and differ from regions there may well be a combination of the evidence...unfortunately we can't ask the Grim brothers. Are you aware of any original documents still in existence from the brothers?
Like others here....I saw my notification of your excellent work and clicked on it immediately 😀
Well done 👏
Your support means everything to me, thank you! 🖤 Regrettably, the survival of original documents from the Grimm's collection is sparse. While there exist a few early draft versions of the stories they gathered before publication, none offer any insight into their sources. One interesting aspect of Snow White lies within the Grimm's notes: rather than the servant hitting her back to wake her, Snow White's revival is attributed to her father's royal physicians. According to the Grimm's draft version, her father directed them to tie ropes to Snow White and to each corner of the room, miraculously bringing her back to life!
Oh, that’s interesting - four corners, four cardinal compass points? Four seasons? Four winds, maybe?
What a wonderful video and a nice break from the endless Disney Princesses stuff my 4.5 year old daughter insists that I read.
Thank you! I'm so happy you enjoyed it :) 🖤
Enjoy reading them to your sweet daughter-they grow up so fast!
I love listening to these videos they really make you think ! its the best on you tube well though out and perfectly narrated More please 👍❤
Thank you so much! I'm grateful for your encouragement! 🖤
I love these stories. The voiced person reads it so intresting.
It is not the only tale they got wrong so is the story of Rapunzel it's basically based on the story of King Solomon's daughter... And has been around for close to 2000 years before they got to it.
Ahhh. Did he have locks as Sampson??
Interesting.
Not exactly, but tell it to Cecil B. DeMille.
Have you done a video yet on the Nursery song, "London Bridge is Falling Down"? I think that would be an interesting one to go over. Keep up the good work, these videos are really fascinating.
Thank you so much! I haven't as yet, but it's in the pipeline so keep an eye out for it! :)
That song is also in Norwegian, as a goup game, and is said to be from the actual time when our viking king Olav Haraldson and his fleet pulled the bridge down by running toews around the pillars ardn then rowing the longships downstream. Early 1000`s (he died 1030, to become our national saint and etarnal king)
The song in Norwegian is «Bro bro brille …»
Poignant today…
Uuuuhhh... I love this video. Finally someone who tells the Grimm-version without the "Kiss ends the spell" stuff. 😄 And you even mentioned "Gold Tree and Silver Tree!" 🤩
I never thought about a possible root in reality.
It means a lot to me that you enjoyed it! Thank you so much :) 🖤
I've nearly heard of gold tree , silver tree ever.
Thank you for your research. You know, I went down the rabbit hole on this tale. Somethings I came across was really fascinating. The tale as we know it came about around 1919. Something else happened around that time, IBM. If you look into your phone or computer screen, it is a dark mirror. And today we can ask it questions like, who's the fairest of them all. How long did computers exist before it became public?
Mirrors have been used for scrying for centuries. Scrying is intently staring into a silvered or blackened piece of glass or mirror until you see visions.
8:33 it’s ironic, because just as we got to this point in the story, where in modern times we’ve heard the prince unable to help himself kisses her just once… but she’s been dead for years. It’s a tad unseemly. This way makes better sense .
I read somewhere that dwarves would band together for protection and company, since they were outcasts and could emphasize with each other.
If we assume the dwarves of the story are supposed to be based on some type of real life version. But I have always assumed they have been put in the story as supernatural beings, that they are German folklore dwarves, nature spirits, or one version of the fairy, the ones who live inside mountains and guard the treasures the land hides. They make that magic coffin for her, and it would be easy to assume that at least at the time when the Grimm brothers finally wrote the tale down people who told it or heard it assumed that she did indeed mature and grow up while in the coffin, as far as I have been able to find out the people at that time had pretty much the same idea of child marriages as we do, and would have thought the idea of a child marrying an adult, even if a young adult, man rather scandalous, fairy tale or not. The average age for marrying seems to have been more or less in the early to mid-twenties. The only exception was political marriages between royal houses, and even then the consummation of the marriage usually waited until both were at least in the older teens.
That part of the story actually has a firm (and unexpected) root in real events of the time.
I read somewhere that dwarves were in fact often miners at that time due to their small size.
@@deerinheadlights100
Yes. That's right. I live close to the area of Germany, where this story originated. The Siebengebirge (7 mountain area). That's where the number 7 comes from. This region used to have copper mines and the miners often started working there as children already. With the lack of sunlight and proper nutrition causing stunted growth and malformations from Rachitis (rickets) (severe lack of vit D from sunlight). And there you have your dwarves. Who, of course, would have often shared accomodations. Both because they were poor and because they weren't well regarded by the rest of society.
Oh-.
Seems more like a warning of the existence of narcissistic mothers and the importance of the people who can intervene.
Yes!!! And are we paying attention to the young ones around us? 😁 A reminder to is definitely in there. Carefully of course, but still.
my son had two children. his wife abandoned he and the young children and ran off with another man and later on my son met and developed a live in relationship with what we would consider to be a “evil stepmother“ type who had two children of her own that were brought into the relationship. My granddaughter and my grandson were absolutely miserable because of the way they were treated by my son‘s live-in girlfriend and while my son was gone out of the house working, my grandchildren were abused. I told my grandchildren to read Grimm story tales knowing that step mothers are usually quite evil toward their step children in various stories including Hansel and Gretel. Numerous people prayed to God and the woman is now gone from their lives. My grandchildren recently moved into an apartment with their dad and with no “evil stepmother“ or “evil preferred step siblings” To vex them anymore. Praise be to God for answering prayer
For 5 years now I have seen the word narcissist used online no less than 5 times per day EVERY day, every time someone wants to describe a bad person. It has come to have NO definition. There are actual people out there who are narcissists & the use of the term isbeyond out of control. I’m talking, it’s used in place of common words!!!
@@YaelleG Yep, where have the words "self-centered" and "selfish" gotten to? Much less used nowadays, not even when they'd be appropriate and accurate. But the mother in Snow White probably is an actual narcissist, with very severe sociopathy.
@@YaelleG except it is _literally_ what these mothers are… they are women with narcissistic personality disorder who hate their own daughters for reminding their fragile egos that they are aging. Narcissistic women see other women as sexual competition. So maybe people do misuse the term elsewhere but it is not being misused in this context.
I find not only the connections you make, it marvels me what fascinating historical characters you find, I have never heard of, but should have.
I was really afraid when I first came to this video. I'm a teacher from Germany and I hab to grade papers about modern versions of old fairytale themes. In more than one paper my students just copied what they found on the Internet about "the true snowwhite". Not realising, there's no evidence for that assumption. I am so greatful, this video shows the stories of the women as a likely inspiration to a nee way of telling tales, that origin dates way back even B.C.
😢Love the new content. Anticipating soooo many fairytales with that lovely voice❤🥰
Thank you so much! Your comment made me smile :)🖤
When I took a course in Children’s Literature in university, we were told that faerie tales were created for adults not children. It was Walt Disney who invented “happily ever after.” There wasn’t any entertainment like TV, radios, books, etc, adults made up stories to entertain each other while spending time together after the day’s work done.
And if you believe that adults back then were worried about their children’s mental health, just loo to Iceland where it got so bad that the government told Icelandic parents to stop frightening their children with stories, especially the Grylla & her 12 awful children. Parents used these stories to frighten children into behaving.
it's interesting to note that the wish for a girl with snow white skin, blood red lips, and raven black hair is a motif found in Irish mythology
With most fairytales and mythology you will find elements that either mirror or closely mimic a real figure or event in history. Fascinating, yet a bit frightening
The entry of Norway in the upcoming ESC brought me here. That Nordic poem turned into a song immediately made me think of Snow White, the story is very very similar.
My Dear Darkling. I absolutely love this one. Your acent with the German words are perfect. You are a hero my friend (if that is OK to call you). The whole world must hear your voice and your amazing history. You really make this old man's insomnia well worth having. Thank you x
People talk about eating somebody's organs (plural) but I bet they could barely get through one harmonium.
😅😅😅
Brilliant! 😂
Would eating a pump organ give you wind?
Organs contain lead. Not recommended.
I hate the guitars. Too stringy.
Very nice. Being German, I was aware of most of these connections, but I'm impressed to see it so thoroughly covered in a UA-cam video.
Looking forward to checking out some of your videos about topics, I'm less familiar with.
Yeah for some reason my mom decided it would be appropriate to raise me with the original versions. The little mermaid was my favorite because every step she took caused her pain in her legs and i, unfortunately, could relate to that.
My mom raised me with the original little mermaid too! She was pretty explicit about the moral “if you fall in love with someone your parents don’t approve of, the person won’t love you anyway and you end up dead.”
The "lesson" of the Little Mermaid tale is - do not try to be what you are not. Falsehood- no matter how pretty or enchanting brings only sorrow.
i thought "the little mermaid" was popularized by hans christian andersen.
Your mom sounds cool.
@@davidkermes376 Yes he lightened it up
You've earned my sub with this today friend, first time watcher❤
Impeccably researched and retold.
Any other fairytale of your choice has the potential of becoming just as fascinating in your skilled hands.
Thank you so much! That's incredibly kind and sweet of you to say :) 🖤
I love the eloquent storytelling, Amazing job!
As with many fables, I think their origins lie deep in the annals of prehistory and change over time with retellings and historical relevancies.
I believe “Beauty and the Beast” and “Jack and the beanstalk” are among the oldest known stories going back thousands of years, and no doubt picked up new meanings over the centuries.
As for Sleeping Beauty, I like the Seasonal explanation. As you remarked we are now most familiar with the Disney narrative (my favorite movie version is Blancanieves (2012))
I'm delighted to hear that you found it enjoyable! 🖤 It's truly fascinating how these stories serve as windows to a distant past, offering insights into the cultures and beliefs of bygone eras. I plan to delve into both 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Jack and the Beanstalk' in future videos :)
Disney will never pay for its destruction of these wonderful stories.
Maybe Karma will exact payment.
🙄🙄🙄
@@ConstanceDawleyridiculous. Stories have evolved for centuries.
Disney did what they were allowed to do, what anyone can do with stories that are public domain. They adapted them to their own personal medium. That hardly means that no one else can or hasn’t made their own versions of these stories.
Hanzel and Gretal....there must be something behind that 1
Interestingly, the cottage of the “Witch” was discovered through looking for a place that paralleled the illustration of two trees flanking a path in the original publication. It led to a cottage that belonged to an elderly woman who was a baker and maker of sweets.
She was murdered by being pushed into her own oven, and the Brother and Sister stole her savings, arriving home to change the circumstances of their family, using the old woman’s money and jewellery. Her bones were discovered in her oven when the burned cottage was investigated for clues of what had happened.
An entire book was written on the subject some years ago, and I’m sorry I have forgotten the title and author, but it might be found by searching “ The true story of `Hansel and Gretel’. Good luck.🖤🇨🇦
@@tamarrajames3590 oooo will have to look for it. Thank you ❤️
There is. It tells of a time between 1300s to about 1850s, when there was a mini ice age across Europe, and in Germany, among other European countries, there was a great famine. Many families had to choose between abandoning their children in the Black Forest, or all starve to death. Too many mouths to feed meant certain death, but by leaving the kids int he forest at least they stood a slim chance and it halved the food bill. The canabalism element of the witch was based on the real contemporary records of starving people eating their own children I order to survive.
The gingerbread element was added as it’s an ancient symbol of good times and prosperity. Ginger used to be worth a fortune and so was highly prized. The witch aspect was down to the fact that because of the heinous act of eating your own children, it was thought far too vile for a child’s own mother to do, and so the figure was crafted as a witch in order to provide a more palatable scapegoat for the terrible acts committed by normal hungry peasants.
I've seen a documentary on this one: In the Original text it's not the stepmother, but the mother. So both parents send their kids away. The witch who tried to eat them has similar habits of speech as the mother - therefore is understood to be the mother showing other personality traits. The story is a reminder of starvation times, where parents in Germany had no ther choice but to send their kids away - or eat them (not feed them).
Yeah witches and spirit cooking of children still done today in secret societies.
I was lucky enough to read the brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson in the unsanitized versions. I was a child and I survived.
Me too
Thank you for this, it was fascinating to listen to.
Snow White was called Snowdrop in the original German. The poison apple was probably thornapple. The two plants have an opposite and profound effect on the nervous system, and thornapple can mimic death. Snowdrop is an antidote to this, as is fly agaric (sometimes known as the prince or king). It's possible the tale is a means of remembering and passing on knowledge of plants.
What you have typed is fantastic and we'll worth researching. Thanks!
@@lindamarshall-wc4yt
NO NOT TRUE, not even remotely well researched, its highly likely he didn’t even speak any german besides some simply memorized phrases.
First off all:
The traditional German name for „Snow White“ is actually „Schneewittchen“ a compound of 2 ancient german words (one still regularly used, one being outdated centuries ago and a grammatical diminutive.
Schnee/-witt/-chen
„Schnee“: literally snow, Derived fron Middle High German „snê“ from Old High German „snēo“, from Proto-West Germanic „snaiw“
„witt“ meaning white, but being almost everywhere outdated by now, and replaced with the reformed spelling „weiss“ and reformed again after WW2 spelled „weiß“ (the letter „ß“ is a replacement of the double „S“
Cognate with Danish hvid, Dutch wit, German weiß, Norwegian hvit, West Frisian wyt.
„-chen“
As A diminutive word obtained by modifying a root word to convey a slighter degree of its root meaning, either to convey the smallness of the object or quality named, or to convey a sense of intimacy or endearment, and sometimes to derogatorily belittle something or someone. A diminutive form(abbreviated dim) is a word-formation device used to express such meanings
Which means the English name „snow white“ is pretty good translation from the German original except not integrating the reason of the „-chen“ ending literally meaning a smaller cuter version of something and would be literally translated from German in to English „little Snow White“
Ich lerne gerade deutsch, und ich weiß sogar, was dieses comment sagt, war falsch. (Entschuldigung wenn mein deutsch nicht sehr gut ist)
Her name originally was Sneewittchen (now spelled Schneewittchen). Snowdrops are called Schneeglöckchen in German. Very similar, though not exact. That is an interesting thought about the thorn apple/jimson weed though. I think in German that's called Stechapfel, which is obviously very similar to just Apfel (apple). Interesting!
Your beautiful narration of these fary tales and possible interpretations is admirable. Please continue, your dedication to unravel the mysteries of this stories is appreciated.
Thank you dark one as always a very good video
You're very welcome! I'm so happy you enjoyed it :) 🖤
I've watched and listened to a few of your videos now, excellent, intriguing, and a reminder that European culture is as deep as it's varied.
Really enjoyable and excellently presented.
Some of these illustrations seem like they were in an old Reader's Digest of Grimm Brother's tales. There used to be a coloring book with the same illustrations. Once upon a time..
So ? This woman is a pure artist with her research and voice. If you don't like you don't have to but millions should. She truly is an amazing woman.
@@chrisdorrell1I don’t think the poster here intended anything negative. To my eye she was just sharing a memory brought up by the illustrations used.🖤🇨🇦
@chrisdorrell1 You need to chill. I wasn't complaining. Don't put words in my mouth. That's rude and presumptive of you.
Love your narration 😊
It seems like elements of both tales. Very nice video.
Thank you so much :) 🖤
good video and great narration - clear sensitive, and yet strong voice -
This was very interesting. Thank you! Have you ever looked into the origins and myths surrounding Melusine?
Thank you so much! 🖤 And yes, I have indeed! Surprisingly, the tale of Melusine is intricately linked to the origins of a nursery rhyme! I'm in the process of researching further, so I can't provide an exact date for when that video will be released, but keep an eye out for it! :)
Wonderful and fascinating. Thank you.
Ever thought there were some shared elements there? a small girl breaks into someones home while they're out, finds meals set out on the kitchen table, steals food from each plate then goes to sleep in one of their beds .. have you any idea which came first? Goldilocks or Snow White?
If Snow White was the older tale I might consider the possibility Goldilocks was a deliberate parody of those ellements of Snow White poking fun at the fact that what she does is actually burglary and Goldilocks hair perhaps a deliberate contrast to Snow Whites hair as part of that, so not all that disimilar to more modern parodies poking fun at ellements in old fairy tales.
Thank you for sharing your insights! 🖤 You're absolutely right about the similarities between the Goldilocks story and Snow White. While Snow White was first published in 1812, predating Goldilocks' 1837 publication, there are indications that the Goldilocks tale was known long before that date. As with most folklore, pinpointing the exact time these stories started being told orally is challenging, so there's no real way of knowing which came first.
@@The-Resurrectionists Well thanks for suggesting there might be some value in that observation 🙂 though I'm more than sure I can't be the first to ever notice that similarity 😁
That was marvellous thank you. Your research is superb and gives so much more than a simple delve into the Brothers Grimm interpretation. It is obviously a recurrent theme in ancient societies so my money is on the changing of the seasons being retold in a humanistic version. But then I love gardening so I would say that
I don't think we'll see an accurate Disney film of the original story... I've read some of the original tales and they are very Grimm indeed involving sex, murder and suicide. Snow white is quite tame by comparison.
I would love to find some of these original tales…
I love your narrative of Snow White’s origins. I never would have thought about it so deeply. Now I must research and learn more about the women who could have been the muse’s for the tale
More like this please. With Grimm tales.
We all remember it as "Mirror, mirror," but it was actually "Magic mirror on the wall." Many people, sure of their memory of "Mirror mirror" call foul and say it can't be. It's just another example of a Mandela Effect. I remember Mirror Mirror, too
My favourite fairy tale , could you expand on Snow White and Rose Red xxx
Thank you! I will add it to my list :) Hope you're well! 🖤
@@The-Resurrectionists I am thank you spent a gig weekend in London so pretty tired . How about you ?
Yes, I remember the Ladybird series of books had this tale
Now that I live in an upside down world I'm spinning like a Disney princess
Wonderful video, thank you. As for Snowwhite still being a child, thus the prince being into that, I say no. She was still alive, only under a spell of sleep via the apple,clearly s she did not rot. So even as a child, I assumed she grew up as she slept.
Bella L
Makes sense. Even dead people's hair and fingernails grow.
Margaret’s vondorek the second one has the beauty of Snow White, pure white as snow, the hair of smooth silk that bring the innocents of her personality, and roses of her lip giving that sweet tender feeling. As to eatting the poisonous apple is so close to the Snow White.
Maria Sofia ! A fairy tale ending for a Saint
The stories of both women seem so much like parts of the Snow White tale. So I would think that the real life women became folk legends and lead to a story that came to combine them into one being. By that time the Brothers Grimm had probably grown up hearing it in several versions. It's with gratitude that we can now have these tales still with us as they preserved them for future generations.
Amazing video. Thanks so much for this.
You're very welcome! I'm so glad you enjoyed it :) 🖤
Wow....just wonderful. A gorgeous tapestry of colourful anecdotes, so skilfully woven. Well done. Your best yet!
Hey Wonderful Darkling🖤, The nature one wins it for me! Stay safe n well. TFS, GB :)
Thank you! 🖤 Hope you're having a wonderful Easter weekend! Really appreciate your support :)
It's so beautiful to see the possibel origin of snow white being shared to a broader international audience. Since I live in the Spessart region in Germany and live only 20 minutes from Lohr, Snow White and the fairy tales of the brothers Grimm were always part of my life.
Fun fact: Snow White became a mascot of Lohr. There even is a Statue of Snow White in town, but it's kind of a parody of her, called "Das Lohrer Schneewittchen" (The Lohr Snowwhite).
I think the last reason, winter/spring is more logical. I'm sure this nursery rhyme is much older than the first two ideas presented.
This is really good to watch in a dark room at night. So glad this showed up in my recommendations.
Captivating. Imo it's been my thought...there's a grain of truths to faerie tails, orally told stories , lessons to be learned.
Excellent, as always. Hoping for an exploration of Baa Baa Black Sheep and the medieval wool tax, with none for the little boy...if there is enough meat on it for your channel!
6:37. Snow White , is a little naive, isn’t she? Did her Mom even bother to change her disguise?
What an exciting presentation! The narration is perfection. The accompanying illustrations are so fitting. Thank you for all the research that goes into making this story so poignant.
I have always wondered if the word grim actually came from the Brothers Grimm because grim is a good description of most of the tales they collected. Many of the stories are downright gruesome.
Grimm is a German surname and has no bearing on the English word ‘grim’ which means gruesome or horrid. Pure coincidence that they sound similar.
medieval horror stories
A very interesting explanation of Snow White. My only complaint is the use of Neuschwanstein Castle that is a modern rendition of the classic castle. A much older castle could have been used.
I imagine getting stock drone footage is easier of Neuschwanstein. 😉
Another brilliantly insightful and thought provoking presentation into a simple ‘fairytale’ that I, from a young age have always believed to be the story of a narcissistic mother who perceived her daughter as a threat by being so beautiful (pretty) . In reality it is true that when a mother / stepmother envies her daughter in such an uncontrolled and grievous fashion it could lead to Pathological jealousy: This type of jealousy is irrational and can include extreme insecurity, as well as a desire to control and manipulate - in no instances was there a rational explanation of why the Queens were jealous or if they habitually dispensed of their rivals!…maybe they needed therapy to irradiate those negative emotions…more please (Request = Rapunzel) 😊✨
That would obviously prove interesting.
Glad I found this channel. Good on you.
The Scandinavian king Kristian II (1481-1559) fell in love with Dyveke, the daughter of a Dutch tavern owner in Bergen. Of course they couldn't marry, so he had her as a 'frilla' (a mistress with privileges ). The tavern owner, the mother, became influential and powerful in the royal court.
At 16 Dyveke, was killed by poisoned cherries.
Was it the nobility, a rival kingdom, the new queen or even the mother...? Who knows.
My first thought coming across the story was: "Snow-white!!".
You bring to life many aspects of life in general , brilliant narration and research 😮❤😊 I'm fully amazed ❤
Cupid and Psyche is another ancient story in this vein. However, I don't think one should be reductionist i.e. say they are the same story. The German storytellers had a message they wanted to send, a nice if rather out-of-fashion message about girls growing up to be loving and caring however beautiful they are. So it's not the same as Apuleius, which is about Jungian "individuation" i.e. the maturation of an adult feminine personality -- at least in the interpretation of Erich Neumann, which I follow.
Thank you so much! I'm so happy you enjoyed it. Rapunzel is a great suggestion! :) 🖤
@@The-Resurrectionists I think Rapunzel was someone else's suggestion, but I should certainly like to hear your take on it :-))
I'm so sorry! Weirdly, I was answering another viewers comment with their Rapunzel suggestion. I'm working my way through my comments and I've only just read your original one...so I'm very confused right now! 😅 (I think it's a sign that it's time for me to take a tea break!)
It's fascinating that you bring up Cupid and Psyche-I can definitely see the parallels! Many scholars draw connections between Snow White fleeing into the woods and the concept of entering 'the underworld,' echoing mythical narratives like Cupid and Psyche or even the story of Persephone and Hades to some extent. However, I do agree that ultimately, the Grimm's version presents a cautionary tale on the perils of jealousy and serves as a warning for older women to age gracefully. Whether this was the original message or not remains somewhat unclear. Your support is greatly appreciated! :)
@@The-Resurrectionists I didn't think of Psyche but Persephone I did when you were talking about it perhaps representing the turn of the seasons, though I can't see any true connection between them other than the theme if that was what the tale represented, but then my memory of the Greek myths is largely limited to translated and anglicised (and likely sanitised for the young) versions in childhood books so I'm no doubt missing some details.
Bring it on as soon as possible.
Awesome video, thank you for your work creating them for us
Thank you! I'm so grateful for your encouragement! 🖤 :)
Wonderful as always
Thank you! :) I'm grateful for your encouragement! 🖤
thank you so much for making these fantastic collections and comparisons. it's triggering for me when people think these stories are Disney creation. your record keeping of the origins is important work imo. please keep going. much love and admiration to you.