Tradition / Region: Dutch Mythology
Category: Fish
The Myth
In the waters off Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, fishermen speak of Fario, the king of the herrings. He is not an ordinary fish, but a ruler among his kind, set apart from all others.
It is strictly forbidden to catch Fario. To do so is believed to bring great misfortune. If a fisherman should ever find Fario in his nets by accident, he must throw the fish back into the sea immediately, without delay or hesitation. Only by returning him at once can bad luck be avoided.
There is a tale of a greedy fisherman who ignored this warning. When he caught Fario, he kept the fish instead of releasing it. From that moment on, the sea turned against him. All fishing suddenly ceased—not only for him, but for everyone. The waters yielded nothing, as though the herrings themselves had vanished.
From this, people learned that Fario is not merely a fish, but a guardian of abundance. As long as he remains free, the sea continues to provide. If he is taken, the balance is broken, and the waters fall silent.
Gallery
Sources
Abe de Verteller contributors. (n.d.). Van aardmannetje tot zwarte juffer: Een lijst van Nederlandse en Vlaamse elfen en geesten. In Abe de Verteller, from https://abedeverteller.nl/van-aardmannetje-tot-zwarte-juffer-een-lijst-van-nederlandse-en-vlaamse-elfen-en-geesten/
Interpretive Lenses
Religious Readings
- Christian Ascetic Deep Dive
Philosophical Readings
- Nietzschean Deep Dive
Psychological Readings
- Jungian Deep Dive
Esoteric Deep Dive
- Hermetic Deep Dive
Political / Social Readings
- Marxist Deep Dive
Other
- How to Invite The Fario