Nixa

These words in their origin go back to the common German * nikwus or * nikwis (i) , originating from the Proto-Indo-European language * neig ^w (meaning “to wash”) ^[1] . It is associated with the Sanskrit nḗnēkti (“wash”), Greek νίζω ( nízō ) and νίπτω ( níptō ), and Irish nigther ^[2] .

The neck form appears in English and Swedish ( neck and näck respectively) ^[2] . The Swedish form is derived from the Old Swedish neker , which corresponds to Old Norse nykr , and nykk ( Norwegian Nynorsk ) ^[2] . In Finnish, this word took the form näkki . The ancient form nikke evolved into the Danish and Norwegian ( bokmal ) word nøk (ke) ^[2] . The Icelandic word nykur is also used to mean hippo ^[2] .

The Old High German form nihhus also meant "crocodile" ^[2] , and the Old English nicor ^[2] can mean both "water monster" and "hippo" ^[2] .

The earliest testimony about the Nix were sirens from Homer's epic "Odyssey" , in which Odysseus tried to prevent the action of the destructive siren song.

Norway

In Norway, necks ( Norwegian Nøkken ) appear as scary, evil creatures associated with demons . They are constantly near the water and trying to lure people and animals into it. They were especially dangerous for unbaptized infants and pregnant women. They are also described as sad people living alone and complaining that they cannot go to heaven .

Nyoqi could use beautiful singing and music to charm their victims. In several stories, nekk is the master of the violin. There are also stories in which he teaches people to play his violin in exchange for a sacrifice or something else — for example, the promise of salvation and bliss.

Sweden

Necks ( Swede. Näcken ) were often associated with no less fearsome creatures, who are called strömkarlen in Swedish. These are underground musicians whose victims sat all night at the falls.

Germany

Nixes in Germanic folklore became mermaids ^[3] who are trying to lure people into the water. They are somewhat similar to the Celtic Meluzina and Greek sirens . Male nyxes could be of different forms: besides mermaids, they were fishes, snakes, and even humans. Female niksa - beauty with a fish tail . When they are in human forms, they can be recognized by wet hem clothing. Nixes are portrayed as malicious in some stories, but harmless and friendly in others.

In the 19th century, Jacob Grimm classifies Nyx as a water spirits who love music, songs and dances and says: “Like sirens, nyx attract young people with their song and then drag it to the bottom” ^[3] . According to Grimm, they can be humans, but they have features of appearance that are inherent in animals.

Nixies with the light feed of Richard Wagner also became known as the Maidens of the Rhine .

One of the most famous Nyxs of German folklore is Lorelei. According to legend, she sat on one of the rocks on the banks of the Rhine (the rock now bears her name) and lured her song to fishermen and boatmen on the rocks.

Denmark

Nyokki ( dat. Nøkken ) - in Danish folklore supernatural beings who live in streams, rivers and lakes, where they attract people with their play. Nyochi could be quadruped.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, there is a legend (myth) about the Nix, who lived on the shore of Lake Zug (Canton of Zug ).

• Lorelei is a rock on the territory of Germany, where, according to legends, lived one of the Nix - Lorelei.

• Barbara Stamer (Hrsg.): Märchen von Nixen und Wasserfrauen, Frankfurt 1987
• Enn Vetemaa: Die Nixen von Estland, Frankfurt 2002
• Gwen Benwell & Arthur Waugh: Töchter des Meeres. Von Nixen, Nereiden, Sirenen und Tritonen. Marion von Schröder, Hamburg 1962
• Grimm, Jacob (1835). Deutsche mythologie
• Hellström, AnneMarie. (1985). Jag vill så gärna berätta ...
• Karlsson, S. (1970). I Tiveden , Reflex, Mariestad.

• Mythological Encyclopedia: Nix
• Saga and niks tales
• Faroe tales and fairy tales in Danish
• Scandinavian folklore