The Myth

Der irreführende Fuchs, meaning the Misleading Fox, is a mysterious supernatural fox said to haunt a small woodland called Hambesch and the neighbouring fields of Ham near Greiveldange, Luxembourg. The creature has made these places uncanny since ancient times and is known for its malicious tricks. Former stable boys frequently reported seeing it, and even in more recent times, the fox has occasionally appeared to continue its strange mischief.

In one account, an older man from Greiveldange encountered the fox early one morning while walking through Hambesch. On this occasion, the animal had only three legs. Although the man had known the woodland since childhood and was thoroughly familiar with its paths, the moment he saw the strange fox, he could no longer find his way. He wandered about in growing desperation throughout the day, unable to escape the familiar woods.

Only late in the evening did the lost man encounter a swineherd tending his herd. The swineherd guided him out of the woodland and helped him finally return home. The fox’s strange appearance and its ability to make a person lose their way reveal its supernatural nature, marking it as a deceptive creature that uses its uncanny presence to confuse even those who know the land well.

Tradition: Luxembourgish Mythology
Alternative Names: The Fox as a Beating Spirit
Category: Fox

The Myth

Der Fuchs als Prügelgeist, meaning the Fox as a Beating Spirit, is a mischievous supernatural fox associated with the Hamberg near Remich and the surrounding countryside of Luxembourg. Unlike an ordinary fox, this strange creature can vanish without a trace and inflict punishment through invisible supernatural forces. It appears deceptively harmless, but those who provoke it may suffer a relentless and humiliating attack.

One evening, an innkeeper from Remich was returning from Ehnen and strolling peacefully across the Hamberg when he noticed a fox sitting on its hindquarters beside the path. The animal seemed to stare at him mockingly. Angered by what he considered the fox’s insolence, the innkeeper approached and delivered a powerful kick. However, his foot struck only a soft, barely perceptible mass, and the fox immediately disappeared.

Before the astonished innkeeper could recover, an invisible force unleashed a hail of slaps against his face. He fled as quickly as he could, but no matter how fast he ran, the blows continued to rain down upon him. Only when he finally reached the territory of Stadtbredimus, exhausted and breathless, did the supernatural beating cease. The encounter taught him that the strange fox was no ordinary animal and that provoking it could bring a relentless punishment from an unseen assailant.

Sources

La Fontaine, Edmond de. Luxemburger Sagen und Legenden. Luxemburg: Jos. Beffort, 1882.

Irreführende Fuch

The Myth

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Prügelgeist Fuch

The Myth

Sources