The flying witch is a popular figure in folklore and fairy tales. She is often depicted as an old woman with a broomstick and a pointed hat, flying through the night sky. The image of the flying witch has been widely used in literature, art, and popular culture. In many stories, the flying witch is associated with magic and witchcraft. She is believed to possess supernatural powers and is often portrayed as a wicked or mischievous character. She is said to use her broomstick to fly to various locations, often causing chaos and mischief along the way.

Does the Wicked Witch of the West know she can be killed by water?

In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West lights the Scarecrow on fire. Dorothy picks up a bucket of water to douse him, but she splashes it on the Witch, who begins to melt. It seems unusual to me that the Witch would allow a lethal substance anywhere near her castle, which makes me wonder: did she know that she could be killed by water? I would like an answer from the original book series written by L. Frank Baum, not the movie adaptations or derivative works (e.g. Oz the Great and Powerful, Wicked).

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If you ever get the chance, go and see Wicked - it's excellent. This is one of the plot points covered - but I'll say no more here :)

It would sound rather improbable that she would not know. How would it be possible that she'd never come in contact with water in her life?

I asked a slightly different of this question months ago, and it got downvoted to hell and auto-deleted. :(

She is said to use her broomstick to fly to various locations, often causing chaos and mischief along the way. The origin of the flying witch can be traced back to medieval European folklore. The idea of a witch flying through the air on a broomstick may have originated from superstitions and beliefs about witches and their association with the supernatural.

5 Answers 5

So it would seem:

The Witch was too much afraid of the dark to dare go in Dorothy's room at night to take the shoes, and her dread of water was greater than her fear of the dark, so she never came near when Dorothy was bathing. Indeed, the old Witch never touched water, nor ever let water touch her in any way.

She also always carried an umbrella, presumably to avoid getting wet:

The girl had to work hard during the day, and often the Witch threatened to beat her with the same old umbrella she always carried in her hand.

As in Project Gutenberg's Wizard of Oz, in Chapter 12 - The Search for the Wicked Witch.

@MrLister: I was thinking more, e.g., by pushing her into Dorothy's room at night. (Or, alternatively, by dropping a house on her . . . maybe that's what really killed the Wicked Witch of the East!)

If you're asking about the book, the odds are decent that she does know that water is harmful to her as she "did not carry a broom in the novel, but rather an umbrella" according to the Oz wiki. Baum never elaborated on exactly why she was vulnerable, but Mombi is killed the same way in The Lost King of Oz and Singra was afraid enough of water to secure protection from it via a favor from a water nymph, so it seems to be a trait of wicked witches in the setting. There's some speculation on the wiki that their bodies were already used up and therefore were only barely held together by magic.

It is stated in Baum's book that the Wicked Witch of the West was so old and Wicked that all the blood in her body dried up long before The Wonderful Wizard of Oz takes place. And when she fnally comes into contact with water, it burns her skin like acid and she dissolves into a puddle on the floor. Baum described it as "melting away like brown sugar." In the beginning of the story when Dorothy's farmhouse fell on the Wicked Witch of the East, her body soon caved in and crumbled to dust under the fallen establishment. (The feet of the dead Wicked Witch had disappeared entirely and nothing was left but the Silver Shoes.) The Good Witch of the North explains that "She was so old that she dried up quickly in the sun." So whatever mysterious magic potion or spell that was holding the Wicked Witch of the East together was possibly something the Wicked Witch of the West used to keep herself alive as well, even though Baum never elaborated upon this aspect.

How The Wizard Of Oz Changed Margaret Hamilton And Her Stunt Double Forever

Many of us grew up watching "The Wizard of Oz." While the word "iconic" is thrown around a lot these days, I think this film has earned it. Yellow brick roads, red slippers, and flying monkeys are all symbols we constantly encounter throughout pop culture. Oz is a fantasy world of Technicolor wonder and excitement, but the reality is much darker.

The abuse Judy Garland suffered during her time as Dorothy is often discussed today. She was put on a strict diet of soup, coffee, cigarettes, and pills. During filming, she was given uppers to keep her lively, and then she was given downers to sleep a bit before being called back to set to do it all again. In the decades following, Garland continued to experience issues with substance abuse, which led to her death from an accidental overdose at the age of 47.

Unfortunately, Garland wasn't the only actress who suffered in Oz. Margaret Hamilton and her stunt double, who played The Wicked Witch of the West, were literally burned by the production.

It was believed that witches could transform into animals, such as cats or birds, and fly through the air to attend secret meetings or perform their magical rituals. The broomstick was seen as a symbol of their ability to travel through the skies. The flying witch has remained a popular and enduring figure in popular culture. She is often depicted in Halloween decorations, children's books, and movies. The image of the flying witch has become a symbol of Halloween and is commonly associated with the holiday. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in witches and witchcraft, leading to a renewed fascination with the flying witch. While the flying witch is often portrayed as a menacing character, there are also stories and depictions that show her in a more positive light. In some tales, the flying witch is a wise and benevolent figure, using her powers for good and helping those in need. These stories highlight the complexity and diversity of the character and challenge the stereotypical portrayal of witches. In conclusion, the flying witch is a captivating figure in folklore and popular culture. Whether she is depicted as a wicked or benevolent character, the image of the flying witch continues to captivate people's imagination and inspire creative works..

Reviews for "The Depiction of Flying Witches in Art: From Renaissance to Modern Times"

1. John - 2 stars - I have to say, I was really disappointed with "The Flying Witch." The plot was all over the place and it was hard to follow what was happening. The characters were also poorly developed, making it difficult to connect with any of them. Additionally, the special effects were subpar and took away from the overall viewing experience. Overall, I would not recommend "The Flying Witch" to anyone looking for a well-crafted and engaging film.

2. Amanda - 1 star - "The Flying Witch" was a complete waste of my time. The storyline was weak and lacked any depth or substance. The acting was also unconvincing and felt forced. I found myself checking the time constantly, hoping that it would end soon. It's rare for me to not find any redeeming qualities in a film, but unfortunately, "The Flying Witch" failed to deliver on every level.

3. Mark - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Flying Witch" based on the intriguing premise, but it fell flat for me. The pacing was off, with the film feeling slow in some parts and rushed in others. The magical elements were poorly executed and didn't add anything meaningful to the overall plot. The ending was also unsatisfying, leaving me feeling disappointed and unfulfilled. Overall, I found "The Flying Witch" to be a forgettable and unremarkable film.

The Cultural Significance of Flying Witches in European History