Tradition: Belgian Mythology, Dutch Mythology
Alternative Names: Lange Man
Category: Ghost
The Myth
The Lange Man is a tall, black apparition shaped like a human figure. Rather than walking, he glides above the ground with his legs held tightly together, his neck stiff and his arms hanging limply at his sides. Despite his frightening appearance, he is said to protect people who travel late at night.
In Maastricht, the Lange Man is said to emerge from a cellar opening during the night before growing to a height greater than the surrounding houses. He peers through people’s windows and knocks on the highest panes of glass, towering over the buildings as he moves through the darkness. He can also transform himself into an old woman or a large, rolling ball, making his appearance unpredictable and unsettling.
Despite his occasional protective role, the Lange Man is also regarded as a harbinger of disease. His nocturnal appearances and strange transformations are signs that illness may soon come to the people who encounter him.
Sources
Van der Veen, Abe. “Van aardmannetje tot zwarte juffer: Een lijst van Nederlandse en Vlaamse elfen en geesten.” Abe de Verteller. https://abedeverteller.nl/van-aardmannetje-tot-zwarte-juffer-een-lijst-van-nederlandse-en-vlaamse-elfen-en-geesten/