In the dark hours before dawn, when sleepers lie paralyzed between dreams and waking, the Drude descends. This malevolent spirit of German folklore sits upon the chests of its victims, pressing the breath from their lungs and filling their minds with terrifying visions. The Drude represents one of Europe's oldest explanations for the phenomenon we now call sleep paralysis.
Origins and Etymology
The word “Drude” (also spelled Trude or Drud) derives from Old High German and shares linguistic roots with the Norse “Thruð” and Celtic druid traditions, though the connections are debated. In German folklore, the Drude is specifically associated with the nightmare experience—the German word for nightmare, “Albtraum,” literally means “elf-dream,” connecting to similar night-pressing spirits.
Nature and Appearance
The Drude is typically described as:
- A malevolent female spirit or witch
- Able to slip through any crack or keyhole
- Heavy beyond natural explanation when pressing on victims
- Sometimes visible as a shadowy figure or terrible hag
Some traditions hold that certain women become Drudes involuntarily, their spirits leaving their bodies at night to torment sleepers without their waking knowledge.
The Drude Attack
Victims of Drude attacks report waking unable to move, feeling an immense weight on their chest, and experiencing extreme terror. The Drude was said to ride its victims like horses, leaving them exhausted and disturbed come morning. In severe cases, repeated visits could drain a person's life force entirely.
Protection Against Drudes
German folklore provides several defenses:
- Drudenfuß: A five-pointed star (pentagram) carved or painted near beds
- Iron: Scissors or knives placed under pillows
- Shoes: Positioned with toes pointing away from the bed
- Prayers: Specific incantations before sleep
Related Creatures
The Drude belongs to a worldwide family of nightmare spirits, including the German Alp, Norse Mara, and Slavic Mora. These beings all explain the universal human experience of sleep paralysis through supernatural terms.
