Tradition / Region: Czech Mythology
Alternate Names: Demon of the Rabenmühle
Category: Demon
The Myth
The Ravenmill Demon is associated with the infamous Rabenmühle, a mill feared by locals for its connection to dark forces and witchcraft. The miller himself was said to be deceitful and corrupt, while his wife was a practicing witch who cursed nearby farmers and their livestock if they refused to use the mill.
Because of its sinister reputation, travelers would make the sign of the cross when passing the mill, fearing the presence of evil forces tied to it.
The true horror revealed itself through the miller’s three daughters, who were described as even more wicked than their parents. One night, after a gathering, they swore that they would dance no matter what—even if it meant dancing with the devil.
Soon after, mysterious strangers arrived, appearing as elegant musicians and noble men adorned with gold. They began dancing with the daughters, at first slowly and gracefully, but the dance quickly turned wild and unnatural.
As the music grew shrill and disturbing, the dancers revealed their true forms—horns sprouted from their heads, and their feet transformed into hooves. These were no humans, but demonic beings.
The dance reached a frenzy until suddenly the demons carried the daughters away into the air. At that very moment, the Ravenmill burst into flames and vanished, as if consumed by infernal forces.
The Ravenmill Demon represents a classic motif in Central European folklore: the devil answering reckless invitations. The daughters’ oath opened the door, and the demons came not merely to dance—but to claim what had been offered.
Sources
sagen.at contributors. (n.d.). Die Rabenmühle. In sagen.at, from https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/tschechien/watzlik/rabenmuehle.html