Standing in the middle of Bern, Switzerland, is the Kindlifresser, or “Child Eater.”
The fountain sculpture towers above the ground, a baby half stuffed into the giant’s mouth, and a sack full of three alarmed tots slung over his shoulder presumably for later snacking. The unsettling sculpture is no modern work of art; built in 1546, it is one of the oldest fountains in the city of Bern.
Strangely, no one is exactly sure why it’s there. There are three main theories. The first and most unfortunate possibility is that the Kindlifresser was built as a sort of warning to the Jewish community of Bern. The Kindlifresser wears a hat that is strikingly similar to the yellow pointed Judenhut that Jews were forced to wear at that time.
The second theory is that the terrifying Ogre is a depiction of Kronos, the Greek Titan. Kronos has arguably one of the most disturbing tales in Greek Mythology. Long story short, Kronos eats all his god children to keep them from taking over his throne.
The final theory is that the Kindlifresser is supposed to be the older brother of Duke Berchtold, the founder of Bern. Apparently the jealousy of being overshadowed by his younger brother for so many years caused him to go mad, eventually sending him into a rage where he collected and ate the town’s children. (It would seem likely that this event would have been recorded in the towns history books, which it is not.)
It may of course be none of the above, and is simply a sort of boogie man from Switzerland’s Fastnacht, or ”Night of Fasting” festival, a way to remind the Children of Bern to behave. Whatever the Kindlifresser represents, it has terrified Swiss children for nearly 500 years, and hopefully, will be there to terrify them for 500 years more.
When you consider how common it was in those days for Jews to sacrifice and eat Christian children, especially for the feast of Purim, perhaps the statue is a warning to Christian citizens that the Jews will steal and eat their children if the parents don’t guard them.
” simply a sort of boogie man from Switzerland’s Fastnacht, or ”Night of Fasting” festival ”
I say NOT. In my view, it’s ” in your face ” satanic / luciferianism. Child sacrifice ( for specific reasons ) is an ancient demonic practice where the blood and after the flesh is consumed.
As long as it is not a Confederate flag…
I’ll bet the kids in that town have a lot of nightmares.
“The first and most unfortunate possibility is that the Kindlifresser was built as a sort of warning to the Jewish community of Bern. The Kindlifresser wears a hat that is strikingly similar to the yellow pointed Judenhut that Jews were forced to wear at that time.”
I’ll go with the “most unfortunate possibility”.
Considering the Satanic minions involved, it’s also the most likely possibility.
A warning to the Christians and their children. They should take a tip from Martin Luther.
” …and hopefully, be there to terrify them for 500 years more.” WTF!?!?
We sure need more terror, with which to sculpt our psyche, you know, for balance and boundry lessons. Bullsh!t
Scaring anybody is not nice. It is not harmless if it terrifies. Just not possible in Ethicsville.
Perhaps when giants (Goliath) ran loose. Must have been big to get the whole head of an infant into it’s mouth.
. . .
Kronos is saturn….
-flek