For the fish, see Hagfish. Hagfish are marine Craniates of the class Myxini, also known as Hyperotreti. For the Swiss model train company, see HAG. HAG is a Swiss maker of Model trains in HO scale. These are high quality trains made of die-cast metal with reliable mechanisms For the fruit of the tree [Prunus padus], see Bird Cherry. The Bird Cherry ( Prunus padus; syn Cerasus padus ( L, Prunus racemosa Lam

A hag (or crone) is a wizened old woman, or a kind of fairy or goddess having the appearance of such a woman, often found in folklore and children's tales such as Hansel and Gretel. A fairy (also fay, fey, fae, faerie; collectively wee folk, good folk, people of peace, fair History The concept of folklore developed as part of the 19th century ideology of Romantic nationalism, leading to the reshaping of oral traditions to serve modern ideological Hansel and Gretel ( Hänsel und Gretel) is a Fairy tale of Germanic origin adapted by the Brothers Grimm and earlier by Giambattista ^[1] Hags are often seen as malevolent, but may also be one of the chosen forms of shapeshifting deities, such as the Morrígan or Badbh, who are seen as neither wholly beneficent nor malevolent. The Morrígan ("terror" or "phantom queen" or Mórrígan ("great queen" (also known as Morrígu, Morríghan, Mor-Ríoghain In Irish mythology, the Badb (/baðβ/ " Crow " in Old Irish; modern Irish Badhbh /bəiv/ means " Vulture " ^[2][3] The term appears in Middle English, and might be short for hægtesse, an Old English term for witch. Witchcraft, in various historical anthropological religious and mythological contexts is the use of certain kinds of Supernatural or magical powers ^[4]

Contents 1 Hag in folklore 2 In neurobiology 3 In popular culture 4 See also 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External links

Hag in folklore

A hag, or "the Old Hag", was a nightmare spirit in British and Anglophone North American folklore. A nightmare is a Dream which causes a strong unpleasant emotional response from the sleeper typically fear or horror being in situations of extreme danger or the sensations This variety of hag is essentially identical to the Anglo-Saxon mæra — a being with roots in ancient Germanic superstition, and closely related to the Scandinavian mara. A mara, or a mare is a kind of malignant female Wraith in Scandinavian folklore believed to cause Nightmares She also appears in Slavic According to folklore, the Old Hag sat on a sleeper's chest and sent nightmares to him or her. A nightmare is a Dream which causes a strong unpleasant emotional response from the sleeper typically fear or horror being in situations of extreme danger or the sensations When the subject awoke, he or she would be unable to breathe or even move for a short period of time. Currently this state is called sleep paralysis, but in the old belief the subject had been "hagridden". Sleep paralysis is a common condition characterized by transient partial or total paralysis of skeletal muscles and Areflexia that occurs upon awakening from sleep or less ^[5] It is still frequently discussed as if it were a paranormal state. Paranormal is an Umbrella term used to describe unusual Phenomena or experiences that lack an obvious Scientific explanation ^[6]

In Irish and Scottish mythology, the Cailleach is a hag goddess concerned with creation, harvest, the weather and sovereignty. The Mythology of pre-Christian Ireland did not entirely survive the conversion to Christianity, but much of it was preserved shorn of its religious meanings Scottish mythology may refer to any of the mythologies of Scotland. In Irish and Scottish mythology, the ga '''Cailleach''' ( Irish plural ga ''cailleacha'', Scottish Gaelic plural gd ''cailleachan'' /kalʲəxən/ ^[7][3] In partnership with the goddess Brìde, she is a seasonal goddess, seen as ruling the winter months while Brìde rules the summer. This article refers to the Pagan Goddess Brigid For the Catholic/Orthodox Saint of that name see Saint Brigid. ^[7] In Scotland, a group of hags, known as The Cailleachan (The Storm Hags) are seen as personifications of the elemental powers of nature, especially in a destructive aspect. They are said to be particularly active in raising the windstorms of spring, during the period known as A Chailleach. ^[8][7]

Hags as sovereignty figures abound in Irish mythology. The most common pattern is that the hag represents the barren land, who the hero of the tale must approach without fear, and come to love on her own terms. When the hero displays this courage, love, and acceptance of her hideous side, the sovereignty hag then reveals that she is also a young and beautiful goddess. ^[3]

The Three Fates (particularly Atropos) are often depicted as hags. The Moirae or Moerae (in Greek – the " apportioners " often called the The Fates) in Greek mythology, were the white-robed

In Persian folklore, the Bakhtak has the same role as that of "the Old Hag" in British folklore. layout and formatting it should ensure no clashes with the top of the infobox The Bakhtak sits on a sleeper's chest, awakening them and causing them to feel they are unable to breathe or even to move. Bakhtak also is used metaphorically to refer to "nightmare" in the modern Persian language. A nightmare is a Dream which causes a strong unpleasant emotional response from the sleeper typically fear or horror being in situations of extreme danger or the sensations

Many stories about hags seem to have been used to frighten children into being good. Peg Powler, for example, was a river hag who lived in river trees and had skin the color of green pond scum. The Peg Powler is a Hag from English folklore with a green skin long hair and sharp teeth who is said to inhabit the River Tees. Parents who wanted to keep their children away from the river's edge told them that if they got too close to the water she would pull them in with her long arms, drown them, and sometimes eat them. Peg Powler has other regional names, such as Jenny Greenteeth from Yorkshire and Nellie Longarms from several English counties. Jenny Greenteeth is a figure in English folklore. A river Hag, similar to Peg Powler, she would pull children or the elderly into the water and drown Yorkshire is a historic county of Northern England and the largest in Great Britain. ^[9]

Many tales about hags do not describe them well enough to distinguish between an old woman who knows magic or a supernatural being. ^[10]

In neurobiology

The expression Old Hag Attack refers to a hypnagogic state in which paralysis is present and, quite often, it is accompanied by terrifying hallucinations. Hypnagogia ( Greek ὕπνος húpnos "sleep" + the root found in ἄγω ágō "to lead away conduct convey" ἀγωγεύς Paralysed redirects here For other uses see xx Paralysed (disambiguation Paralysis is the complete loss of Muscle function A hallucination, in the broadest sense is a Perception in the absence of a stimulus. When excessively recurrent, some consider them to be a disorder; however many populations treat them as simply part of their culture and mythological world-view, rather than any form of disease or pathology.

Further information: sleep paralysis

In popular culture

In the Dungeons & Dragons game, "hags" are at least three races of female creatures, sort of female counterparts to ogres. Sleep paralysis is a common condition characterized by transient partial or total paralysis of skeletal muscles and Areflexia that occurs upon awakening from sleep or less Dungeons & Dragons (abbreviated as D&D or DnD) is a Fantasy Role-playing game (RPG originally designed by In the Dungeons & Dragons Fantasy Role-playing game, hags are witchlike beings that spread havoc and destruction working their magics and slaying Female (♀ is the Sex of an Organism, or a part of an organism which produces ova (egg cells An ogre (feminine ogress) is a large cruel and hideous Humanoid Monster, featured in mythology folklore and fiction They are the annis (named from an analogous creature from the British folklore), the green hag (a green-skinned version of the Slavic Baba Yaga), and the sea hag (sort of a sea witch, not a mermaid). Baba Yaga (Ба́ба-Яга́ Баба Рога Баба Яга Баба Рога Polish, Czech, Baba Jaga Baba Roga is in Slavic folklore, a witch-like A mermaid is a Mythological aquatic creature that is half human half aquatic creature (e All three sorts are evil, but not overly powerful.

Hags are occasionally mentioned in the Harry Potter series, but never in any great detail (the prologue of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" mentions that they are classed as beings (as opposed to beasts) that children are part of their diet and that they can glide). Harry Potter is a series of seven Fantasy novels written by British author J Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a 2001 book written by English author J Magical creatures comprise a colourful and integral aspect of the Wizarding world in the Harry Potter series by J Hags are occasionally encountered in the wizarding village Hogsmeade, where they are distinguished from "conventional" wizards and witches. Within the fictional universe of Harry Potter, constructed in the writings of J The Fictional universe of J K Rowling 's Harry Potter series of fantasy novels comprises two separate and distinct societies the Witchcraft, in various historical anthropological religious and mythological contexts is the use of certain kinds of Supernatural or magical powers It is unclear if such Hags live in Hogsmeade or simply visit the village for business and/or social reasons.

Hags are also mentioned in the Chronicles of Narnia book series. In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Hags are one of the various kinds of evil creatures whom the White Witch has present at the killing of Aslan. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe is a fantasy novel for children by C Jadis, commonly known as the White Witch, is the main Villain of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, the first published book in C Aslan, the "Great Lion " is the central character in The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of seven fantasy novels for children written by Later, in Prince Caspian, a Hag, along with a Werewolf and the dwarf Nikabrik, tries to persuade Caspian to summon the Witch back to life. Prince Caspian The Return to Narnia is a Novel for children by C For the book about Caspian X see Prince Caspian. For its film adaptation see The Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian Caspian X King of Narnia They attack after being refused, and are killed.

In the Popeye comics and cartoons, Popeye is sometimes pursued by a villainous witch called Sea Hag, who has an unrequited love for the sailor. Popeye the Sailor Man is a fictional hero famous for appearing in comic strips and animated films as well as numerous TV shows

See also

References

Further reading

• Sagan, Carl (1997) The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark. Carl Edward Sagan ( November 9 1934 &ndash December 20 1996) was an American Astronomer, astrochemist, author The Demon-Haunted World Science as a Candle in the Dark is a book by astrophysicist Carl Sagan and his wife Ann Druyan, which was first published
• Kettlewell, N; Lipscomb, S; Evans, E. (1993) Differences in neuropsychological correlates between normals and those experiencing "Old Hag Attacks". Percept Mot Skills 1993 Jun;76 (3 Pt 1):839-45; discussion 846. PMID 8321596

External links

• Henry Fuseli's painting of a hag, from the Met collection

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