🍎 In Search of Snow White: Real-Life Origins 🏰
Welcome to our enchanted journey into the real-life origins of Snow White! Join us as we unravel the dark history behind this beloved fairy tale, exploring the chilling tales of Maria Sophia von Erthal and Margaretha von Waldeck.
🔍 Dive deep into the original Grimm Brothers’ rendition and discover the gruesome details hidden within the pages of folklore. From poisoned apples to enchanted mirrors, the true origins of Snow White will leave you spellbound.
🌲 But the intrigue doesn’t end there! Explore the forests of literature and legend as we uncover the parallels between Snow White’s story and the lives of two remarkable women. Could Maria Sophia’s tragic past or Margaretha’s mysterious demise have inspired the timeless tale?
👑 Discover the secrets hidden within Lohr Castle and the woods of Spessart, where reality and fiction intertwine. Could Maria Sophia’s mirror or Margaretha’s poisoned apple be the inspiration behind the magic mirror and deadly fruit?
💭 Join the discussion! Share your thoughts on the true origins of Snow White and speculate on how these real-life stories may have shaped the folklore we know and love. Don’t forget to suggest which fairy tale origins you’d like us to explore next!
🌟 Subscribe now for more captivating tales and deep dives into the mysteries of folklore. Like, comment, and share to spread the magic of storytelling! ✨
#SnowWhite #FairyTaleOrigins #GrimmBrothers #MariaSophia #Margaretha #EnchantedMirror #PoisonedApple #DarkFairyTales #RealLifeStories #FolkloreMysteries
CHAPTERS
01:10 The Brothers Grimm
03:09 The Unsettling Original Story
09:34 Real Life Origins
15:22 Other Influences
Mirror mirror on the wall who is the fairest of them all this iconic question not only Echoes through the enchanted mirror of Disney’s beloved 1937 classic snow white but also beckons us to delve deeper into the origins of this Timeless tale beyond the Whimsical animation lies a history rich with darkness and
Intrigue one that was first penned by the brothers Grim in 1812 in the heart of these two narratives lies a stark contrast one adorned with laughter singing and a happily ever after and the other a chilling account of Envy betrayal and the struggle for survival
As we peel back the layers of fantasy we uncover a haunting truth the folklore that inspired Snow White may have been born from The Whispers of two real life women their lives woven into the fabric of history and myth join me as we embark on a journey through the enchanted
Forests of literature and Legend where the lines between reality and fiction blur and where the true origins of Snow White await discovery welcome back darklings before we explore the real life origins of Snow White let’s first examine the unsettling original version of the tale a common misconception is that the
Story of Snow White was created by the Grim Brothers in reality Snow White is a traditional German folklore tale popularized by the Grim brothers who collected and published it along with numerous others as Librarians in Castle the brothers found themselves amid a pivotal moment in history in 1806
William I elector of Hessa fell to the forces of Napoleon bonapart leading to the designation of Castle as the capital of the newly formed Kingdom of West faia with Jerome bonapart Napoleon’s brother installed as king at this point in history Germany was splinted into 39 States and the German language faced
Fragmentation due to the proliferation of diverse influences and dialects fearing the erosion of German identity and cultural heritage the Grims embarked on a mission to unite the German people by preserving the folktales woven into the fabric of German Society stories passed down through generations via word of mouth yet never committed to paper
Little did they know the Monumental Legacy their work would have destined to define the very essence of childhood for centuries to come in 1812 the brothers Grim released their first volume of children and household Tales a compilation of 86 traditional German folk stories despite doubts about the suitability of certain
Stories for children the brothers included them all believing they all held cultural value and Advising parents to guide their children toward age appropriate choices indeed whilst collecting these pieces of folklore the Grims never intended the tales to be read by children the stories in the first edition of children and household Tales
Include scenes of violence and darkness that have since been sanitized ized and Snow White is no exception in the original Grim’s rendition The Queen Is Not Snow White’s stepmother but her own biological mother the tale unfolds with the queen seated by a window sill embroidering as snowflakes fall outside accidentally
Pricking her finger three drops of her Crimson blood stain the pristine snow in that moment a yearning takes hold as she wishes for a daughter with skin as white as snow lips as red as her own blood and hair as black as the ebony of the window
Sill the Queen’s wish is granted and 7 years later Snow White has blossomed into a beautiful and enchanting child stirring jealousy in her mother’s heart the breaking point comes when the queen asking her magic mirror who is the fairest of them all is met with a
Revelation you my queen of fair it is true but Snow White is a thousand times fairer than you enraged by this truth the queen devises a sinister scheme to have her young daughter killed she commands a huntsman to escort her innocent 7-year-old daughter into the depths of the forest instructing him
To stab her to death and return with her lungs and liver so she may eat them with salt the Grims likely included this gruesome detail because of the prevalent belief that witches consumed children the queen intending to utilize the organs in a magic spell to steal her daughter’s Youth and Beauty for
Herself fortunately the Huntsman m moved by compassion spares Snow White’s life and urges her to flee deep into the woods to evade her mother’s wroth in a clever ruse he presents the queen with the organs of a wild boar instead of her daughters lost and fearful Snow White
Stumbles upon a quaint Cottage adorned with seven of everything from beds and chairs to forks and spoons despite her hesitation hunger drives her to partake in a modest portion of food and wine from each place setting before exhaustion overcomes her and she falls asleep in one of the beds later that
Evening the Seven Dwarves return home to find the slumbering girl struck by her innocent appearance they decide to let her rest undisturbed until morning at dawn Snow White awakens to find the dwarves watching her intently sharing her story they invite her to stay with them asking only that she cooks and
Cleans in exchange for their Hospitality back at the castle the evil queen consults her magic mirror once more only to be confronted with a devastating truth you my queen are fair it is true but little snow white Beyond The Seven Mountains is a thousand times fairer than you realizing that only the
Seven Dwarfs reside Beyond those Peaks she seees with rage and vows to kill Snow White at any cost thus begins her Relentless pursuit of the young girl marked by three attempts on her life in her first scheme the queen disguises herself as a peddler woman enticing Snow White with delicate lace which she
Eagerly buys with a Sinister grin the queen offers to lace Snow White into her bodice gradually tightening the cords until they become a deadly snare as Snow White collapses her breath shallow and desperate the queen flees in haste with each passing moment Snow White’s struggles diminish until she lies motionless a chilling Stillness
Settling over her form fortunately the dwarfs return in time cutting the laces and releasing her from their deadly grasp undeterred by her initial failure the queen returns with a poison comb enticing Snow White with its beauty despite her initial caution Snow White succumbs to Temptation letting the stranger place
The beautiful comb in her hair and Falls unconscious once again the dwarfs intervene just in time saving her by pulling the comb from her hair frustrated by Snow White’s resilience the queen concocts her deadliest plan yet a poisoned Apple disguised as an elderly woman she offers the poisoned
Apple to Snow White who hesitates haunted by the dwarf’s cautionary words against accepting gifts from strangers in a cunning move the queen poisons only one side of the Apple convincing Snow White of its safety by biting into the untainted side before offering it to the girl through the window moments after
Tasting it Snow White succumbs to the poison falling to the ground dead the Seven Dwarfs return home to find Snow White’s lifeless form yet she appears so Serene that they cannot bear to bury her instead they Place her in a glass coffin within their dwelling preserving her
Beauty for years to come years pass until one day a prince seeking Refuge with the dwarfs beholds Snow White’s ethereal form Enchanted by her Radiance he pleads with the dwarfs to allow him to take her corpse to his castle promising to cherish her every day initially hesitant the dwarfs relent in
The face of the prince’s unwavering devotion granting him custody of Snow White’s delicate Remains the prince remains true to his promise spending every available Moment by Snow White side speaking to the dead girl and eating his meals next to her his sorrow palpable whenever Duty forces him to
Part from her however his servants grow weary of the burden of carrying the casket everywhere to accommodate the prince’s unusual fascination with the girl’s body one servant driven by frustration opens the coffin and in Anger thumps Snow White’s back inadvertently dislodging a piece of The Poisoned Apple from her throat to
Everyone’s astonishment Snow White stirs from her deathly Slumber that very evening The Prince and Snow White celebrate her miraculous Awakening with their first shared meal together overwhelmed with joy and gratitude they resolved to marry the following day sealing their love with a vow to never be parted again this original story
Doesn’t specify how long Snow White remained in her deathlike slumber nor does it indicate whether she aged during that time it simply states that she lay undisturbed for a long time without decaying this leaves open the disturbing possibility that when she awoke Snow White still resembled a child the next morning Snow White’s
Mother approaches the magic mirror only to be blindsided by its Revelation that a new Queen has surpassed her in Beauty consumed by rage and suspicion the evil queen infiltrates the young Queen’s wedding desperate to unmask her rival to her horror she comes face to face with her long-lost daughter alive and radiant
At the altar in a poetic yet harsh Justice the evil queen is sentenced to die in Red Hot Iron slippers at the wedding until she falls down dead this folklore with its dark and violent themes stands in stark contrast to the Beloved Disney rendition many of
Us grew up with yet what adds an even more chilling layer to this tale is its potential grounding in reality remarkably there are two real life women whose lives closely mirror that of Snow Whites the first is Maria Sophia Von eral born in Laura and Main Germany in
1725 though not formerly a princess Maria Sophia resided in La Castle a harrowing battle with small pox during her youth left her with lasting effects rendering her almost blind but local records describe her as a girl of unusual loveliness the mirrors crafted in the town of lore held a reputation for their
Unparalleled quality it was said that these mirrors possessed an uncanny ability to speak nothing but the truth thanks to the exceptional clar ity and smoothness of the glass among these illustrious Creations Maria Sophia’s family possessed one such mirror a masterpiece adorned with a striking red and silver frame standing at 1.6 M tall
Or 5.2 ft today This Magnificent Looking Glass can still be found within the walls of lore Castle now transformed into a museum the frame of this remarkable mirror is adorned with French phrases translating to for reward and for punishment alongside expressions meaning self-esteem or Pride could this be the
Evil Queen’s real life magic mirror adding to the Mystique of the region is the woods of spart which encroaches upon the outskirts of lore here wild animals roam freely and in the 18th century thieves lurked in the undergrowth preying on unsuspecting Travelers who strayed from the safety of
The beaten path among the Flora of this region grew Belladonna a poisonous plant notorious for inducing paralysis enthusiasts of this Theory draw parallels between this deadly herb and the poison that plunged Snow White into her deathlike Slumber unlike the fictional Snow White Maria sfia never married she dedicated
Her years to acts of Charity and compassion in her Twilight years she found solace and purpose within the walls of a convent school where she died in 1796 at the age of 71 rediscovered in 2019 Maria Sophia’s gravestone is now a poignant Relic in the diois museum in Bamberg Southern
Germany it Bears the inscription the noble heroine of Christianity here she rests after the victory of Faith ready for transfigured Resurrection this phrase intriguingly Echoes Snow White’s Awakening from a deathlike slumber adding a captivating layer to the parallels between Maria Sophia’s life and the Timeless fairy tale our second Contender for a real
Life snow white is margaretha Von vdec a German Countess born in 1533 renowned for her exceptional Beauty margaretha early years were marked by tragedy losing her mother at the tender age of four her father Philip IV count of waldeck remarried Katherina Von hatzfeld but her relationship with his
Children from his first marriage was strained leading to many of them being sent away to live with relatives Margarita grew up in an area dotted with functioning copper mines predominantly owned by her brother where child labor was prevalent the grueling work conditions coupled with malnutrition often left the children
Stunted in growth and with permanently curved spines earning them the nickname poor dwarfs among the town’s folk Margera’s family alone owned seven such mines with workers crowded into one room Cottages sometimes accommodating as many as 20 individuals at once in margaretha Village an unsettling incident occurred when a man frustrated by children
Stealing from his Orchard resorted to Distributing poisoned apples among suspected culprits he was arrested following the deaths of several of the children capturing widespread attention throughout the region at the age of 16 margara embarked on a journey over the sien Gaba or the Seven Mountains a region of hills in
Germany to reside with her Uncle at valkenberg Castle in present day limberg Netherlands in 1549 her father arranged for her to attend the Brussels Court of Mary of Hungary during her time there margara captivated the attention of Prince Philip II of Spain who became enamored with her but their romance
Encountered staunch opposition from Philip’s Father Charles I Holy Roman Emperor and king of Spain due to margaritha Lutheran Faith a Protestant denomination and the lack of strategic Advantage for Spain in the marriage suspiciously margara fell victim to a mysterious illness in 1554 igniting widespread speculation of Foul Play many suspected poisoning as the
Cause of her untimely demise a theory upheld by several present-day historians Prince philli later wedded queen bloody mary the first of England Margera’s mysterious death is meticulously chronicled in an array of Municipal records and historical documents alongside her interment within the Franciscan Monastery founded in Brussels in 1238 today the brella 1238
Museum stands as a testament to this history history offering visitors a glimpse into the vestages of the monastery beneath the Bor in Brussels regrettably the prospect of locating her grave let alone a gravestone remained slim during that era the corpses of women went largely unrecorded thus Discerning her remains
From the multitude of female skeletons interred there presents a formidable challenge is it possible that these two women embody the essence of Snow White could aspects of their Tales have shaped the folklore immortalized in the Grim Brothers writings the brothers Grim’s rendition of the tale undoubtedly draws upon a
Tapestry of influences folklore by its nature is intricate and subject to Evolution over time making pinpointing a singular origin very challenging Snow White’s imagery resonates across various folk tales and mythologies showcasing the universal themes that echo through cultures for instance in Irish mythology Deedra dwelling in the woods foretells her
Destined love a man with hair black as a raven’s plumage cheeks as red as blood and skin white as snow in the young slave a 1634 Italian tale fairies cursed baby Lisa to die at 7 with a poisoned comb her mother inmes her in seven Crystal coffins where she
Grows and ages in a deathlike slumber in Greek mythology hioni meaning snow is renowned for her exquisite beauty said to be the object of a thousand men’s desire upon on turning 14 Hermes uses magic to cause heion to fall into a deep sleep so he can lie with her
Later that evening Apollo visits her in the guise of an old woman to do the same in the Scottish folk tale gold tree and Silver Tree the queen angered by a magical Trout’s Proclamation that her daughter is the fairest of all plots to kill her and eat her organs but the king
Sends his daughter away to marry a prince in a distant land saving her from harm these examples merely scratch the surface of a vast tapestry of tals demonstrating how Snow White’s motifs Echo throughout folklore but if we strip away the fairy tale elements like dwarves and Magic mirrors many folklorists believe Snow
White’s story originally explained the changing seasons and Nature’s cycle of life and death Snow White symbolized spring and summer while the queen represented the cold autumn and winter both women cannot exist in the world at the same time due to the jealousy of winter for the beauty of spring just as
Plants seem to die in winter but come back to life in Spring Snow White’s deep sleep might symbolize the dormant period before life returns Snow White’s enchanting tale has captivated generations and perhaps its future Evolutions will enthral many more yet as we anticipate these retellings let us not Overlook the debt of
Gratitude owed to the brothers Grim their preservation of German folklore provides us with a precious window into cultural storytelling history history and has shaped countless childhoods thanks to their efforts Snow White’s narrative transcends mere entertainment evolving into a cherished relic of history and a poignant reminder of storytelling’s enduring power to unite
Inspire and resonate across the ages but what do you think did Maria Sofia or Margera’s narratives influence the Snow White folklore or maybe you have a different interpretation of the tale share your thoughts in the comments below and feel free to suggest which real life fairy tale Origins you’d like
Me to delve into next see you in a future video
48 Comments
Welcome, Darklings, to our first dive into the origins of fairytales, starting with the iconic tale of Snow White. I hope you enjoy this exploration as much as I've enjoyed unravelling the mystery. Stay tuned for more captivating adventures ahead! 🍎✨
If you enjoyed this video and would like to support the continuation of our adventures, I'm always grateful for a cup of coffee ☕Your generosity keeps the candles burning and the mysteries unravelling:
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Yours in darkness and discovery,
L x
I never knew in the original Snow White, she was just a child when her mom wanted her dead, a sick woman.
While it may seem as if the Brothers Grimm assembled German folk tales, this could not ne wholly truthful. Marie Hassenpflug (1788-1856) actually created her own version of Snow White which she named Sneewittchen. It's known that she had read many fairy tales in French literature, most likely Histoires ou contes du temps passé, avec des moralités by Charles Perrault published in 1607.The Glass Coffin is another tale of interest which the Brothers Grimm adapted from a section in the 1728 novel Das verwöhnte Mütter-Söhngen by Sylvanus.
I have always wondered if the word grim actually came from the Brothers Grimm because grim is a good description of most of the tales they collected. Many of the stories are downright gruesome.
I read somewhere that dwarves would band together for protection and company, since they were outcasts and could emphasize with each other.
My own thoughts on the seven dwarves are that they originally represented the 7 stars of the plough. This has been a significant and influential constellation and is often the only one many people can identify. The Romans knew it as Septentrionis, the seven ploughing oxen, who turned the night sky like oxen turned a million stone, as in the past it was the circumpolar constellation in the centre of the sky, it isn't anymore due to procession of the equinoxes. The motif of death and apparent resurrection is interesting. If my circumpolar theory contributes to the tale then it might be worth noting the centre of the night sky, around which the plough appeared to rotate, was thought to be held up by a pole, upon death it was thought the spirit of the departed would climb this pole to the celestial realm where they would live on after their apparent demise. The word dwarf and their English equivalent the Duergar, appear to be beings composed of darkness that inhabit the night, the name appears to stem from a word for dark, whereas "elf", their opposites, were conceived as beings of light. In northern English folklore the Duergar tries to lure travellers to tragedy in the treacherous uplands in the darkness but are dispelled by the coming of dawn. In the past travelling at night across rough terrain was indeed fraught with very real dangers. The magical properties of mirrors stems from the belief that what you were seeing was the spirit world and your reflection was your own spirit, vampires, who had no soul, had no reflection, and to break a mirror would, it was thought, affect your spirit and you'd suffer seven years bad luck as a result. Apples, it seems, turn up in many folk takes, ascribed properties that would, for example, enable one to see the faeries, imposing a mind altered state that made this and other insights possible. I wonder if cider might have something to do with this, in the past if you were drunk it was thought you were possessed by the spirits or gods, imbued with divine wisdom, knowledge and perceptions.
Like the game of telephone or gossip if the stories were passed down over generations different families would have different versions.
This analysis of Snow White was an I could sync my teeth into very well done and delicious, I look forward to you next fairy tale review, I would like you to do Cinderella please 🙏
i loved the original tale as a child, I have always had a liking for dark tales even when young, the winter to me, if it is white and sprakly is the most beautiful. The age of the girls in these tales is disturbing but back in days gone by girls reached womanhood younger as life was very short
My favourite fairy tale , could you expand on Snow White and Rose Red xxx
I thought (s)he was black!
Imagine the disappointment of eating boar's organs when you were expecting to dine on the ones of your daughter.
Magic Mirror on the wall,, NOT Mirror Mirror – – – Mendaella Effect. Most believe it is Mirror Mirror, so its understandable even you guys got it wrong starting this presentation.
Was the original Snow White albino?
You say you are looking for suggestions? How about Genies? Lesser known as Jinns or Efreets.
I like when you call us Darklings
Mmmmmm filial offal
I have heard the dwarfs were from Düsseldorf , where they were known to congregate on the wharf.
Wharf dwarf Düsseldorf
Queens used to get a hard time in times past , didn't they
And it starts out with a Mandela effect!
The real first "Mirror, mirror on the wall" is now "Magic mirror on the wall"???
How are these things changing????
Very interesting indeed😊 Ive always been intrigued by the brother's grimm stories some of my favorites.. really enjoyed this video always a delight to watch thx for sharing… smiles
Snow White needs to quit taking stuff from random women in the middle of the woods.
The 1st historical figure’s life is not as parallel to the fairy tale as the 2nd one’s, but the mirror seems to be an authentic detail.
Would you look at the pied piper stories?
That was incredible. Thank you so much for this.
Something we don’t like to talk about today is how competitive some moms are with their daughters. My daughter is 19 and I’m so proud of the person she is.
I’m excited to find out what this kind, thoughtful, brilliant, stunningly gorgeous child of mine is going to do with herself because the truth is, the world is her oyster.
I’m not jealous of her because I had my time. I married the love of my life when I was young and beautiful, and we built a life I’m proud of. I’m thrilled now to let my daughter have her day in the sun.
But the stories she tells me about some of her friends’ moms… 😬
She can't be real. According to Disney she is a latino girl with no dwaves.
It’s actually “Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?” Not “Mirror Mirror on the wall…”
If snow white existed today she'd be black
The problem with the evil stepmothers is that in the very first published version of “Children’s and Household Tales” had the MOTHER be Snow White’s persecutor. Not stepmother. Full fledged biological mother.
This changed in later iterations because it strongly went against the Grimm’s desires to share what they believed to be German values. This meant that the villainess had to change. Hence the introduction of the Evil Stepmother.
Yes, the Brothers Grimm were the first to do what Disney did: sanitize their own dark stories.
The Karens are timeless LMFAO
Maria Sofia ! A fairy tale ending for a Saint
I find it ironic that Snow found help from the faerie folk.., but the kind….eh idk
Wonderful video, thank you. As for Snowwhite still being a child, thus the prince being into that, I say no. She was still alive, only under a spell of sleep via the apple,clearly s she did not rot. So even as a child, I assumed she grew up as she slept.
Bella L
🎉 every myth has a version of truth because reality is stranger than fiction. And everyone changes some form of it
How about Elizabeth Batory ? I suspect that her story could readily be the inspiration behind Snow White's evil queen.
Explain to me how the heck the prince is going to marry her when she’s seven years old as if being the fixation of your biological mothers unhealthy obsession with her self. It’s so highly disturbing how over the vast years humans have been in existence how hard certain people hyper sexualize children it’s so disgusting. Was everybody just inbred and that shit crazy back then or what? Because I don’t believe lack of education had as much to do with it as one would like to think.
The second is the most likely origin of the tale as more of her story fits it.
The detail about dropping 3 drops of blood on the snow followed by a yearning for a beautiful daughter implies it was like a sacrifice to the German goddess of winter Dame Holle/Holda a.k.a. Hel in Norse Mythology. Why you would ask a goddess the personifies winter, and death for a daughter seems odd, but there was probably a reason or belief she had this association with her powers, the knowledge of which has been lost to time.
Wow I thought snow white was black 😂
You've earned my sub with this today friend, first time watcher❤
Damn she is 7 only oi
Loved it good job.
The Grimms were 👍,like this Channel👋😀
Nepholi what!?
There is a disney animator from my hometown who animated snow white. The disney portrayal of her is based on a woman who worked at a local diner…… The local media ran a story on it a few years ago
A most excellent presentation.
Very well researched.
Maybe you could do a similar one on Red Riding Hood.
Excellent, as always. Hoping for an exploration of Baa Baa Black Sheep and the medieval wool tax, with none for the little boy…if there is enough meat on it for your channel!