Tradition / Region: Austrian Mythology
Alternate Names: Wassermann
Category: Spirit
The Myth
The Wörthersee Sprite is a male water spirit said to inhabit Lake Wörthersee and is known for dragging young women into its depths. One evening, a servant girl went alone to bathe in the lake at sunset. After some time in the water, the surface suddenly grew restless and waves began to rise, and from the middle of the lake she saw something approaching her. She recognized the figure by its pale green face and the wreath of reeds in its hair — it was the Wassermann.
Overcome with fear, she ran out of the water and fled back to the house, managing to lock the door just in time. Moments later, the Wassermann reached the house and could be heard outside, but it was unable to enter. The doorway bore the protective sign “C + M + B”, which prevented the spirit from crossing the threshold.
The Wassermann, which was said to claim victims from the lake each year, was forced to leave empty-handed. The girl survived, but from that day on, she never entered the lake after sunset again.
Sources
sagen.at contributors. (n.d.). Die Wichtelcher zu Useldingen. In sagen.at, from https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/luxemburg/Wichtlein_Useldingen.html