Model Witches for Walpurgis Nacht in display in Prague in the Czech republic
On April 30, the Czech Republic hearkens back to an earlier time in its long and varied history. This is the night of Walpurgis Nacht – when young and old take part in the “witch burning”. The ritual dates back to the times of the pagan religion in what is now the Czech Republic. The Slavs would create a figure to represent the goddess Morana, who represented both winter and death, among other things. The figure was burned, and the ashes thrown into a body of water to show that the people were heartily sick of winter, and wanted spring to later centuries, the focus shifted from burning a figure of a pagan goddess to burning a real, live-soon-to-be-dead human being. Witch hysteria raged throughout Europe for centuries, turning scores of people into ashes before it was through. It was far more convenient to blame a tangible entity for a long winter, so a “witch” was provided for burning in order to bring spring. During the 17th and 18th centuries, it was believed that April 30 was the date on which witches burned Christian symbols and paid tribute to the Devil. Thus, the date was fixed for a different kind of burning; huge bonfires were also lit to keep away the evil spirits. To prevent further witchcraft, brooms were thrown onto the bonfires, a tradition which continues today, though the original meaning is no longer applicable.
Size: 3448px × 4592px
Location: Prague, Czech Republic, Europe
Photo credit: © Brenda Kean / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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