Nachtkrapp

The Nachtkrapp (German for "night raven"; pronounced [ˈnaxtˌkʁap]) is a folkloric creature from southern Germany and Austria, commonly featured in cautionary tales used to frighten children into going to bed. Similar myths are also found in Hungary, the Czech Republic,[citation needed] Poland, and Russia.

There are multiple variations of the Nachtkrapp legend. Typically, it is portrayed as a massive, nocturnal, raven-like bird. In Norse mythology, the Nachtkrapp—known as Nattramnen in Swedish and Nattravnen in Norwegian—is depicted without eyes, and gazing into its empty sockets is said to cause death. In some stories, its wings are riddled with holes that, if looked upon, bring illness and disease.

Many tales describe the Nachtkrapp emerging at night to hunt. If seen by children, it will abduct them to its nest and consume them in a gruesome manner—tearing off their limbs before plucking out their heart. In less violent versions, the creature simply stuffs the children into a sack and takes them away.

A rarer variation is the Wütender Nachtkrapp ("angry night raven"), which doesn't abduct children but instead terrifies them by flapping its wings and cawing loudly until they are struck silent with fear.

In contrast, the Guter Nachtkrapp ("good night raven") appears in folklore from Burgenland as a kind and gentle figure. This version quietly enters children's rooms at night and soothes them to sleep with soft singing.