Schrat

DemonGermany · Western EuropeLegendFear 10/10

Description

A demon from the folklore of Germany. The Schrat (German: [ʃʁaːt]) or Schratt, also Schraz or Waldschrat (forest Schrat), is a rather…

Origin & Background

The word Schrat is derived from the Old Norse skrati, skratti (sorcerer, giant), the Icelandic skratti (devil), and the Swedish skratte (fool, sorcerer, devil). This German term has also spread to Slavic and Finno-Ugric languages. For example, in Polish, skrzat, skrzot (house spirit, dwarf), in Czech, škrat, škrátek, škrítek (house spirit, devil that brings gold/mining spirit), and in Slovenian, škrat, škratek, škratelj (house spirit, mining spirit) can be found.

The Legend

Schrat is a legendary being in German and Slavic traditions, possessing characteristics of tree spirits, house spirits, and nightmare demons. They are often said to live in forests and are known for giving people nightmares or playing tricks. Schrat was first mentioned in medieval literature, initially described as a hairy demon or a personified spirit living in the woods. Schrat is also considered a house spirit, playing a role in maintaining peace in the home or bringing wealth.

Variants

There are several variant forms of Schrat, which are often considered nightmare demons. For example, Schrätel, Schrättlein, and Schrättling are known as beings that induce nightmares. Additionally, Schrat is also recognized as a house spirit, particularly seen as similar to household kobolds in the regions of Bavaria, Austria, and Czech.

This article is based on the Wikipedia article "Schrat" (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikipedia