The benevolent witch ornament is a popular decorative item that is often used during the Halloween season. It is commonly displayed on shelves, mantels, or even hung on trees, adding a touch of whimsy and magic to a space. This ornament typically features a friendly-looking witch with a kind expression, dressed in a traditional witch's hat and cape. The benevolent witch ornament is believed to bring good luck, protection, and positive energy to the surroundings. Many people see it as a symbol of positivity and benevolence, and some even believe that it has the power to ward off evil spirits. The history and origin of the benevolent witch ornament are not clear.
For many people, and for children in particular, the moral alignment of a witch is clearly and invariably inscribed on her face. Old hags are evil, proffering poisoned apples or luring abandoned youngsters into deceptively delicious gingerbread houses. Good witches are bright, fairy-like creatures, with clear skin and resplendent gowns. The most famous good witch in popular culture, Glinda of Oz, tells a bewildered Dorothy that “Only bad witches are ugly”, thereby solidifying an aesthetic/moral binary that defined popular culture for much of the twentieth century.
The most famous good witch in popular culture, Glinda of Oz, tells a bewildered Dorothy that Only bad witches are ugly , thereby solidifying an aesthetic moral binary that defined popular culture for much of the twentieth century. Although accumulating a veritable cornucopia of origin myths and pre-Christian antecedents, La Befana is as much a feature of modern Italy as she is an emblem of its past.
The history and origin of the benevolent witch ornament are not clear. However, it is likely that it is derived from the centuries-old folklore surrounding witches. In folklore, there are often both malevolent and benevolent witches, and the benevolent witch ornament represents the latter.
When Good Witches are Ugly: La Befana; or, the Italian Christmas Witch
For many people, and for children in particular, the moral alignment of a witch is clearly and invariably inscribed on her face. Old hags are evil, proffering poisoned apples or luring abandoned youngsters into deceptively delicious gingerbread houses. Good witches are bright, fairy-like creatures, with clear skin and resplendent gowns. The most famous good witch in popular culture, Glinda of Oz, tells a bewildered Dorothy that “Only bad witches are ugly”, thereby solidifying an aesthetic/moral binary that defined popular culture for much of the twentieth century.
In Italy, however, the good witch is a wizened hag. Her bent shoulders, broken shoes and tattered rags conceal a kind and generous heart. While the nation’s children may await the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, two weeks later, on the Eve of the Epiphany (January 5 th ), they climb into bed dreaming of the treats they will receive from the beloved La Befana.
Traditional representation of La Befana
Traditionally depicted as an old woman, clad in ragged garments and sitting astride a broomstick, La Befana embodies the popular conception of the hideous crone; yet, her ugliness is not a signifier of evil. A truly benevolent figure, La Befana is adored by Italian children, and she is widely believed to bring sweets and small treasures to those who have been good. According to a popular Italian song,
The Befana comes by night
With her shoes all broken
With a dress in Roman style
Up, up with the Befana !!
(La Befana vien di notte
con le scarpe tutte rotte
col vestito alla “romana”
viva viva la Befana!!)
The name “Befana” is generally assumed to be a linguistic corruption of Epiphany (Epifania in Italian), the Christian festival that commemorates the arrival of the Magi, or Three Wise Men, at the infant Christ’s Bethlehem manger. On the night before the Epiphany, La Befana is believed to fly across the countryside on her broomstick. Entering homes through chimneys or keyholes, the kind old witch brings sweets to good children and coal to bad ones. Many parents, keen to keep up the illusion of La Befana’s annual visits, will not only leave treats for their children, but will even try to trick them by including some fragments “coal”, which is generally made from sugar, in their Christmas stockings.
Sugar “coal” – it’s veeeeeeeeery sweet
In most representations, La Befana is hunchbacked and red-nosed. While she is most popularly depicted riding a broomstick, she can occasionally be seen on a donkey. Presumably, this is an iconographic connection to the Holy Family, who themselves travelled to Bethlehem on a donkey.
Despite these Catholic trappings, La Befana is a truly dynamic example of cultural and religious syncretism. The name “Befana” finds its first literary articulation in a 1549 poem by Agnolo Firenzuola. During the Middle Ages and the early modern period, she was the subject of a popular legend that saw her interact directly with Biblical figures. In one version of the story, the Three Wise Men, following the star to Bethlem, pause to ask directions to the Christ Child’s manger. The old woman provides the Magi with guidance but declines their invitation to join them on their journey, being too busy sweeping her house; she is, after all, a diligent housekeeper. Later, she regrets her decision and sets off alone in to find the Baby Jesus, searching for him to this day. In other permutations of the tale La Befana is an older woman whose son has died. She donates her deceased child’s belongings to the infant Jesus. She is rewarded for kindness by being empowered to act as a kind of “witchy godmother” to all of the children in Italy.
Befana and stocking I received this year
Like many folkloric traditions, however, La Befana is generally understood to have her origins in pre-Christian beliefs and practices. Her origins are, therefore, rather tangled, interwoven with a wide range of obscure rites and mythologies. One potential origin for La Befana frames the old witch as intimately connected to the Roman pagan festival, Saturnalia. A two-week long winter celebration, Saturnalia honoured the fertility God, and often end with Romans travelling to the Temple of Juno on the Capitoline Hill where an elderly woman would consult with the gods and interpret their will. Carlo Ginzburg, one of Italy’s pre-eminent witchcraft scholars, claimed that La Befana was a manifestation of an Alpine goddess Perchta (the Bright One). A pagan deity known by a thousand different names, Perchta traditionally took two forms: a beautiful woman with skin as white as snow, or more commonly, a withered hag. The beloved Christmas witch also displays numerous parallels with a Roman goddess called Strenua, who was believed was believed to represent the new year and its attendant promise of purification. She has also been connected to an obscure rite practised by the Celtic peoples who inhabited Pianura Padana and parts of the Alps, which entitled the immolation of wicker puppets in honour of the gods. La Befana has also been associated with a practice, widespread in many European countries, of burning a puppet decorated like an old woman to symbolise the death of the old year and the beginning of the new one. Alongside her multitudinous and often obscure connections to Italy’s pagan past, La Befana also possess a number of international equivalents. In particular, we find a mirror image of La Befana in the Russian story of Babushka, an old woman who also refuses the Wise Men’s offer to travel with them.
Although accumulating a veritable cornucopia of origin myths and pre-Christian antecedents, La Befana is as much a feature of modern Italy as she is an emblem of its past. The festive hag is widely adored by small children, and every year parents fill stockings with sweets (caramelle), chocolates and sugar “coal” to convince their little ones that La Befana has paid them a visit. Although, it’s interesting to note that, as Stefano Zocchi points out in an article for Folklore Thursday, the introduction of the Christmas stocking is a fairly recent innovation in Italy and most likely seems to be an American import. In the days before January 6 th , shops windows across Italy are decorated with effigies of pointy-nosed, wrinkled hags. For the unsuspecting tourist, it’s almost like stumbling across a second Halloween nestled amidst the dark days of January and waiting to brighten the tedium of the long post-Christmas nights.
"I became interested in carving when I was a child and wondered how a wooden elephant was made."
The use of the benevolent witch ornament has become more prevalent in recent years, as Halloween has become a widely celebrated holiday. With its charming and non-threatening appearance, this ornament has found its place in many homes and businesses alike. In addition to its decorative purpose, the benevolent witch ornament can also be seen as a reminder to embrace kindness and compassion. It serves as a gentle reminder that even in the realm of magic and fantasy, there can be moments of goodness and benevolence..
Reviews for "The Benevolent Witch Ornament in Witchcraft and Rituals"
1. Kelly - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with the benevolent witch ornament. The quality was just not up to par with what I was expecting. The paint job was sloppy and there were visible chips and cracks in the porcelain. I also found the design to be a bit too simplistic and not as detailed as I had hoped. Overall, it just didn't meet my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it.
2. Mark - 1 star
I have to say, I was extremely underwhelmed by the benevolent witch ornament. The craftsmanship was subpar and there were clear imperfections in the mold. Additionally, the ornament was much smaller in size than I had anticipated, making it look cheap and insignificant hanging on the tree. For the hefty price tag, I expected a lot more. I would not recommend purchasing this ornament.
3. Lisa - 3 stars
While the benevolent witch ornament had a unique design, I found it to be lacking in quality. The paint job was uneven and the colors were not as vibrant as they appeared in the online photos. The ornament also felt very lightweight, almost flimsy, which made it seem less durable. Overall, it was an okay decoration, but I definitely think there are better options available. I wouldn't purchase it again.