Vogel Gryff

The "Wild Man" ("Wilde Maa") sleeps in the Black Forest, waking in the winter to bring fertility to the land. Young girls (i.e. virgins) try to steal apples off his head, while he tries to fend them off with his tree (or should I say, he tries to jab them with his phallic symbol).

In Basel, the guilds have incorporated the Wild Man into a festival in January called the "Vogel Gryff," which dates back to the Middle Ages. Two other characters, the Lion and Griffin, play central roles in this festival.

More information coming soon.


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