In the deep mines of Germany and the shadowy corners of ancient homes, the Kobold makes its presence known. These small, often invisible spirits can be helpful allies or troublesome tricksters, depending on how they are treated. The Kobold tradition runs so deep in German mining culture that the element cobalt takes its name from these legendary beings.
Origins and Etymology
The name “Kobold” derives from the German “Kobolt,” possibly from “kobe” (house or hut) and “hold” (friendly or dear). These spirits appear in German folklore as early as the 13th century, with two distinct types emerging: household Kobolds and mine-dwelling Kobolds.
Types of Kobolds
Household Kobolds
These domestic spirits attach themselves to families, living in hearths, stables, or cellars. When respected and offered food and drink, they perform household tasks at night, tend to animals, and bring good fortune. Neglected or insulted, they become destructive—souring milk, laming horses, and creating chaos.
Mine Kobolds
The Kobolds of mines are more ambivalent beings. While sometimes helpful—knocking to warn miners of cave-ins or leading them to rich ore veins—they also create dangerous situations. German miners blamed Kobolds for contaminating silver ore with worthless material (actually cobalt arsenide), which led to the naming of the element cobalt.
Appearance
Kobolds are typically described as:
- Small humanoid figures, roughly the size of young children
- Often elderly in appearance with wrinkled faces
- Sometimes appearing as animals (cats, chickens) or flames
- Frequently invisible, known only by their sounds and effects
The Kobold Pact
According to tradition, a Kobold could be bound to a household through specific rituals. Once bound, the relationship was permanent—attempting to drive away a Kobold or moving without it could bring terrible misfortune. This permanence reflects the German respect for household spirits and ancestral connections.
Related Creatures
The Kobold is related to household spirits across Europe: the Scottish Brownie, Slavic Domovoi, and Norse Nisse. Compare also to the English Hobgoblin and the Celtic household fairies.
