Nixie: The SCARIEST Little Mermaid

[@Lesten]

"My husband was dragged into a pond by an evil water spirit! Please help!" "Have you tried combing your hair by the pond?"

[@madbradfreeman]

I guess that's the folkloric equivalent of, "Have you tried turning him off and then back on again?"

[@andrzejmalinowski4234]

We have almost identical creatures in slavic folklore. In Poland, they are called "rusałka" (female water nymph) or "wodnik" (kind of water spirit). Rusałkas were portrayed as attractive young females luring men with their beauty or singing and then killing them. I think that wodnik was sometime a synonym of topielec or utopiec - those are one of the most common monsters in the Witcher games :)

[@Googledeservestodie]

I've heard of those, isn't there a big difference in that rusalka are more like vengeful ghosts? Women who were abused in life who punishment men afterdeath?

[@robertgronewold3326]

They'll be the same exact creature, really, it's all just a matter of the local legends taking a much older tale and altering it just a bit as it's told.

[@teogonzalez7957]

The decemberists made a great song about them called Russalka.

[@sapphirII]

There's a game called Black Book that features slavic folklore and one chapter features heavily a rusalka and a vodyanoy. I quite enjoyed the game.

[@thomaspotter7868]

Charles De Lint did a great short story featuring them. Can’t remember the name of the story but it’s in the collection “The Ivory and the Horn” one of my favourites in that collection which is saying something as De Lint is fantastic in general

[@robertgronewold3326]

I remember once when I was babysitting my nephew and niece years ago, and we were throwing stones off a river bridge. My niece suddenly gasped when she hurled a stone, and we all watched as her bracelet went sailing right into the water. Furious, she screamed out 'I hope you stupid Nixies like it!" and I laughed so hard. Clearly my mythology lessons had paid off. haha

[@Jumpoable]

At leat they didn't take your niece....

[@pagodrink]

Growing up Swedish, I've interpreted the Nixie (Called Näcken here) as a sorta story about Stranger Danger. Näcken is mostly known as a naked man who plays a violin to lure specifically children to their deaths. It is most likely not the intention of the stories, but it's interesting thinking about it.

[@pbsstoried]

Great take!

[@sandradermark8463]

I know the Näcken. Half-Swedish (half-Spanish) here. Turns into a Bard with a string instrument to attract music lovers, and into a horse to attract pony lovers. I also own two editions (Benjamin Lacombe's and the original) of Fouqué's Undine. I also know a Hungarian version of the nixie tale where the wise woman gives the young wife a tambourine, a flute, and a harp or lyre. And the nixie turns both lovers into frogs. Otherwise the story is quite similar.

[@kenster8270]

= Nøkken in Danish and Norwegian, which sounds less like the words for "naked" than the equivalent does in Swedish 😏

[@LindaC616]

Guiejes in the Dominican Republic lure children to the river. But they're definitely not beautiful

[@Call-me-Al]

​@@kenster8270 näcken is naked, so it makes sense. It's like calling a flasher a flasher.

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

Nixies: Expert Marriage Counselors. Except the opposite.

[@noobistromie5336]

you can't fool me . . . jellal

[@randomguypostanimeupdates6703]

Okay2 okay2 you got me I agreed with it a

[@gleann_cuilinn]

I grew up with Holly Black's portrayal of Nixies in the Spiderwick Chronicles. In that one the power dynamic is flipped and the Nixies are threatened by suburban sprawl encroaching on their habitat, with a Nixie becoming stranded on dry land and a human rescuing her.

[@lilbasenji1]

Yeah!!! A new monstrum video!!!! Nothing like a new monstrum video to make a Wednesday better!! Thanks Dr. Z. and everyone else who worked on this. What an interesting creature the nixie is. It just amazes me what kind of creatures people thought up of to explain natural phenomena or scare people to keep them safe. I can’t help but wonder what adaptations the nixie would have had if it truly existed. I can imagine it would be best friends with the water horse.

[@gabegardner8261]

We named our German shepherd nixie and I'm so excited that her name sake is being talked about

[@DaddyK1tt3n]

It's a guaranteed good time when a new Monstrum episode drops. :)

[@HeraclesN-fp1bw]

Speaking of the Undine with the alchemist Paracelsus where in one of his books title “A Book on Nymphs, Sylphs, Pygmies, and Salamanders, & on the Other Spirits” where he talks about 4 elemental beings that being Salamanders = fire 🔥 , Gnomes = earth 🪨, Sylphs = air 💨, & the Undines = water 💦

[@katherinelynch4193]

The Nixie of the Mill-Pond is my favorite Brothers Grimm story! Love to learn more about a super underrated fairy tale villain!

[@sandradermark8463]

I know the Näcken. Half-Swedish (half-Spanish) here. Turns into a Bard with a string instrument to attract music lovers, and into a horse to attract pony lovers. I also own two editions (Benjamin Lacombe's and the original) of Fouqué's Undine. I also know a Hungarian version of the nixie tale where the wise woman gives the young wife a tambourine, a flute, and a harp or lyre. And the nixie turns both lovers into frogs. Otherwise the story is quite similar.

[@adamphilip1623]

Wow that's quite a hair transformation! The new do looks amazing Dr Z! Really good episode too, I didn't know that much about Nixies.

[@henrypatterson3021]

Could you next talk about the Selkie. That's is another aquatic mythological creature with similar themes.

[@maxredjasper55]

I LOVE Selkies! I saw an old Irish film about where it's implied the girl became a selkie after she died by drowning in the sea but was then revived by CPR. I can't remember the name but it was an insanely good film. Also sad.

[@merlapittman5034]

Very interesting video! Nixies are fascinating, partly because they vary so much from story to story. I got a little distracted by Dr. Z's new hair - nice!

[@LuisSierra42]

The new hairstyle is nixie inspired

[@--Paws--]

So the kelpie which is a horse monster sounds like a game-of-telephone version of the nixie. Since they are also water humanoids, they seem to be like the fomorians/fomors in some Celtic lore.

[@robertgronewold3326]

Well, they were all once part of the greater Celtic people and certain legends clearly carried over to one degree or another.

[@manmoy4104]

There's a Swedish and Norwegian variant of the nixie, called a fossegrim, and depending on the story, these creatures are male and lure women and children to death by playing the fiddle. Other times, they teach humans how to be an expert musician in exchange for gifts. Regular nixes themselves also appear in Norway and Sweden too besides the fossegrim. I think these creatures are found even in Finland and among the Sami people

[@adrianmorrison4678]

I just really feel like an episode about the bad reputation of bats and their impact on pop culture deserves to come. I have a feeling loads of people are desperately waiting to have an episode about dinosaurs as monsters in movies and pop culture and the impact from Jurassic Park. After Godzilla, we just have to see an episode about the background of king kong and his impact on the reputation of gorillas.

[@360.Tapestry]

oh, dr. z, i could not resist your siren call

[@PokhrajRoy.]

2:36 King Triton meets the Aquatic creature in ‘The Shape of Water’.

[@jankay8569]

Absolutely love how often you guys have beem churning these out

[@LanzE_52693]

omg I love her new hair!

[@renecorrea892]

I would like all these chapters to be in the future seasons of Monstrum. *Sea Serpents *Leviathan *The Headless Horseman ✅ *Phantom Vehicles *Boogeyman *Ghosts *Possessed Dolls *Shadow People *Undead *Goblins *Bigfoot *Man-Eating Plants ✅ *Creepy Clowns *Killer Robots *Swamp Monsters *The Mummy ✅️ *Scarecrows *The Invisible Man *Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde *Merfolk *Demons *Skeletons *Stingy Jack (Jack of The Lantern) *Gnomes *Sea Monsters that attacked Submarines *Alien Abductions ✅ *Ogres *Ghouls *Lich *Cyborgs ✅ *Witches *Kaiju *Cthulhu ✅ *The Rake *Revenants *Vampires *Dagon *Ogopogo *Colossal Claude *Spectral Carriages *Kappa *Flatwoods Monster *The Flying Dutchman *El Charro Negro *La Santa Compaña *Davy Jones & the Undead Pirates *Mutants *Beast People of Dr. Moreau *The Picture of Dorian Gray *Haunted Houses *Jiangshi *Ahuizotl

[@WildMen4444]

Technically Kaiju were covered with the episode on Godzilla and Mothra

[@LindaC616]

They've done several of those. Also, Dorian Gray and Dr Moreau were figures created by one author, not mythical monsters or creatures originating from a society's folklore

[@amarketing8749]

1 or 2 requests seem engaging. A long list like this seems more like a demand and is more likely to be ignored. Maybe narrow it down a bit.

[@LindaC616]

@@amarketing8749 or they could also try going back through the playlist and seeing what has already been made. But you know how kids are today...

[@ambulocetusnatans]

Hello Dr Zarka. I would like to suggest a topic. I think the story of The Goose Girl and her magical horse would fit right in with the theme of your show. It has a supernatural disembodied talking horse head, and it is spooky and strangely moving at the same time.

[@musicgirl12357]

Speaking of Femme fatales, you should do a video on the Huldra or Skogsra as she's called in Sweden. She is truly an underrated but fascinating creature that's just starting to be included into more pop culture.

[@GryphonBrokewing]

Love it! Always fun to explore these old legends, especially after some have had a bit of modern exposure with shows like Buffy/Angel, Grimm, Supernatural...and I'm sure others.

[@feelin_fine]

So glad whenever I see a new one of these

[@elle7938]

Thanks for posting this on my birthday!

[@ihcfn]

Lovin' the hair Dr Z!

[@GeorgeEe]

I love your new hair do, Dr.Z!

[@bjgoodrich5864]

Thank you Doc for making this video!😻

[@R.Merkhet]

Very cool, Dr Z. So I ask myself, "Self, why couldn't the nixie be both powerful and have souls?"

[@Lord_Ralph]

In the Olden Days, only humans - nay: only God Fearing Christians! - had souls, I would imagine.

[@christopherbondoc9402]

I'd love to hear you cover selkies! Both the Scottish and nordic/Icelandic variants!

[@ins4nutty341]

i really love the narrator!!! im glad I continued watching storied videos!

[@LemonCurry.]

I've just heard of the African tales of Maam Kumba Bang, which is as I've understood a mix between a nixie and a water goddess. Could you make a video of her sometimes?

[@mildredhuertas9573]

Thanks for the video Dr.Z and Storied team, I always have liked water nymphs/fairies

[@bardic_grin]

Fantastic video! Will Monstrum ever do a video on selkies in the future?

[@TheFlameoftheWest]

I love the hair in this episode.

[@BlindSquirrelCarpentryy]

Another amazing video from the lovely Dr. Z and the Story team. Awesome job everyone. I’ve learned so much, and I am putting what I learn into the stories I write. I have came up with my own, mermmaid, like creature, but I won’t say what it is, since I don’t have a copyright yet. 🤫 lol

[@vginsprdsobepr9698]

I love her hair!!!!

[@ronbarry8866]

Thank you for the video. Monstrum is always fascinating. ✌️

[@Beryllahawk]

Lovely! Does this mean that technically the Lorelei could be classified as a nixie, then? Singing, water spirit, kinda bad news... ticks off a lot of boxes! Wonderful episode - and I love the new hair style, it's gorgeous!!

[@robertgronewold3326]

Yep, Lorelei is a variation of the nixie legend. One reason why sometimes stories will call a nixie Lorelei if they want to give her a name.

[@majordigda6344]

Props for the thematic hairdo! And nice Video as well :)

[@caitlynweerd3427]

Great video! Amazing hair! Dr. Z looks amazing😍

[@jcb3883]

Monstrum should have its own channel

[@Queen1001N]

You know, the way water monsters are usually portrayed (with the victim flailing and yelling) becomes a lot more menacing when you remember that drowning is silent.

[@robinisomaa]

The horse form you briefly mention is very different from how it's described in Swedish tradition. The bäckahäst (lit. "brook horse") entices its victims to climb onto its back, but once you're up there, it's impossible to get off. Disturbingly, it can fit any number of children on its back, because it just keeps getting longer!

[@greensteve9307]

INFINITE HORSE!

[@Passions5555]

So, like the Kelpi in Celtic folklore? Horrific creature.

[@Ancusohm]

So many water monsters, and they're all so cool!

[@deadsakurastar]

well done, its about time the Nixie get some spot lite.

[@euphorium5768]

Dear Storied, is it possible for you to tackle the phenomena of the different/varying stories of mermaids across different cultures/ethnicities/nations?

[@Tazirai]

When I write my horror stories. I usually write them from the monsters perspective. Because sometimes they can't fight their nature. But can adapt to new circumstances.

[@Passions5555]

That's an excellent approach to writing monsters.

[@goldytheglonk1929]

Sounds very cool

[@ericgeddes3353]

In Czech they're called Vodnick. Thank you for this one

[@CanIswearinmyhandle]

I'm pretty sure one of those horses isn't a nixie transformed to carry their lover underwater, but bäckahästen, a horse that lures children onto it's back to drown them

[@pendragon2012]

I had a fundamentalist try to tell me that the devil is trying to seduce us all with all the mermaids around today....are you saying she was right??? lol Great video, Dr. Z, and I love the new hairstyle!

[@Passions5555]

What? 🧐

[@pendragon2012]

@@Passions5555 Weird, right? I had never heard anyone connect mermaids to the devil before.

[@NovaRuner]

in some modern fantasy games and shows i have heard the name Undine used to refer to a type or race of water fairy or sprite. i had no idea it was original the name of one specific water fey lady who marries a human man. awesome video and very informative i love it. thanks for all your hard work.

[@NewMessage]

I love that ladie's tubes, too. Hard to find, though.

[@pumirya]

Thanks for the cool video!

[@kurenaishibarica4010]

Hey Doctor Z I know you did a cover on our king and queen Godzilla and mothra.. so is it possible that you can do another monster duo? Like Rodan And The Golden Dragon King Ghidorah?

[@corinfletcher]

I was in a stage play (an adaptation of a particular novel) called "Ondine". I played the Ondine King. You can believe my ears perked up when you mentioned Undine!

[@travisshallenberger9486]

I couldn't see the horse and hear the phrase "crystal palace" without thinking of TMBG singing to Strong Bad about coming down from his crystal fortress.

[@DistortedBird]

Now I am going down an etymology rabbit hole because the water creatures in Valheim (the videogame) are called "necks" and I want to know how far back this vague collection of sounds goes back and still has to do with water.

[@-RONNIE]

Thank you for the video

[@kimeraclan3135]

Nixies seem similar to Ryuō of the Urashima fairytale from Japan. "I invite you in my submerged palace for having saved by daughter, but at the cost of when you return on land 100 years will have past!" These beings have the standard boon and curse placed upon their human guests.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Ngl there’s a great satire on Reality TV with Nixie’s waiting to happen.

[@princet.6998]

There's a modern horror take of this one in the Philippines back in the '90s specifically the Undine. In that film, the "Undin" got her eggs stolen, drown people and melts them in her saliva.

[@PennyPlant-fr1gd]

Always excited to see a new video.

[@alethearia]

Anyone else see the resemblance between Nixies and Kelpies?

[@robertgronewold3326]

Germany used to be part of the Celtic world as well, so no surprise there are similarities in legends.

[@TheCommonGentry]

love what you did to your hair! so cute!!!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

5:28 Not children being used as bargaining chips.

[@janetbailey3804]

DEAR DOCTOR EMILY, IT IS SO GOOD TO SEE YOU DOC, AND SO GREAT TO SEE MONSTRUM BACK ON PBS!!!GARY BAILEY KING OF DARKNESS AND GOD OF THUNDER AND LIGHTNING

[@Otusscops-l4u]

Excellent! I'd glad to see a video discussing Sihuanaba. Her bizarre nature - a horse-head female spirit punishing womanizers - hints to very interesting roots.

[@brendakrieger7000]

Thanks!🧜

[@insulaarachnid]

Great episode. I had heard of Melusine before which I believe is connected to Nixie.

[@darlenefraser3022]

I just love these videos! Thank you!

[@a.summers9180]

_A Bit Late_ has a beautiful reading of "The Nixie".

[@gabrielotto6830]

I would love to see the channel make a video on kelpies/Scottish water horses.

[@ElectariumTunic]

To me, a Swede, a female Nix seems a bit weird. Like female Santa Clause. Nix ("Näcken") have here always been portrayed as a violin playing young male, with no exceptions that comes to mind. Incidentally - The Swedish music competition "Nix of the Year" (or "Näcken i bäcken") was decided the other day. Where a musician play their instrument naked in a river.

[@Swishy_Blue]

Nixie Marina, great drag name

[@Sara3346]

Oh dear trying to distinguish between water spirita is vexxing.Good luck to y'all. Also...any body of water? Do nixies live in my pipes? Is thst why they make such scary noises?

[@moniquedevilliers4018]

Nixie has been my nick name my dad gave me since I was little. So this was very interesting! - Love your hair btw :)

[@mathieuleader8601]

the twitching ears of the Nixie really adds the creep factor to this creature

[@megan88]

Wish you had said more of our näck/näcken in Sweden, besides being able to shapshift into a horse frolicking and enticing children to climb his back growing to caring up to 10 of them with no problem and then run into a body of water drowning them all glued too his back. He has also been strongly connected too midsummermagic, with a bloodsacrifice Näcken will teach you too play the violin as good as him but you will have The devilspolka stuck in your head forever and eventually succumb to play it. Everything and everyone will end up dancing to the tune, unless someone cute your strings with iron, they and you will dance/play too there death. Näcken has been used to warn children against water especially the flourmills streams and strangers but he can also be read as a warning for female desire like with Pan and Satyres

[@andeeharry]

Interesting. Not heard of Nixie before, this is interesting. .And I must say, Dr. Emily Zarka looks so different

[@ursatzotschew7541]

Nice hair Dr. Z!👌

[@norikadolmy7274]

Love that hair, it's giving fairy queen

[@dactylroot]

Dr. Z hair looking extraordinary

[@billysprout2374]

old gregg finally gets his time in the spotlight

[@Pottery4Life]

Another great episode! Who's the new host? ;-)

[@ShenanigansinMotion]

In Belgium we have a famous local legend in Mechelen linking a shape shifting water demon called Old Red Eyes of the Nekker area. It has a lake where a lot of drownings have happened (and it its still a public leisure area). His legend is similar of that of the Nix.

[@No_Tangerine]

All Old Nick ever wanted was someone to drink Bailey's from a shoe with him.

[@markedis5902]

Emily, your hair looks really nice

[@ehaaven]

Love this show!

[@CleverCover05]

I've got to say, loved the animation of the nixies' ear twitching. It sort of makes them cute? Like a poisonous animal I'm staying away from as I coo at them.

[@robbabcock_]

Great stuff!

[@KadenSlinker]

“Help my best friend has been dragged into the water by an evil mermaid!” “Uh have you tried dumping radioactive waste into the water?”

[@coreymyers5321]

Here’s an idea: the boogie man. There are 1000s of versions of the boogie man, but little if anything on an origin story.

[@medcastrophilip544]

There has to be some truth in these stories. Almost all cultures have stories about water spirits. There is no way the whole world can be wrong.

[@coreybamburg7088]

What’s the question? Water is crazy and dangerous 🤷‍♀️

[@eliswanson4195]

yo! I just found these in a pathfinder bestiary last night, what do you know? They're so cute-looking things

[@ianswinford5570]

The Nixie sounds similar to the Rusalka of Slavic lore. I wonder if the Rusalka will get their won video. I heard that there's a holiday celebrating the Rusalka.

[@tomhalla426]

Interestingly, the US Navy towed anti-sound guided torpedo decoy was called Nixie.

[@manafestation]

Not to be mistaken for Old Greg, at least, not a second time.