Ogre

: This article is about the mythical creature. For alternative meanings, see Ogre (disambiguation).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

According to the folklore and mythology of the peoples of Northern Europe, the ogres (related to the Latin Orcus, though it purportedly comes from "Hungar" or "Uigur", meaning "Hungarian" or perhaps "Hun") are a race of humanoid beings, fierce and cruel monsters, that eat human flesh; they are also shy and cowardly, and have little or no intelligence and cleverness, which makes it easy for men to defeat them. A female of this race is called an ogress. Ogres are said to be able to change their shape at will into animals or objects, and they often dwell in marvelous palaces or castles, sometimes underground. In art, ogres are often depicted with a big head, abundant and hirsute hair and beard, a huge belly, and a strong body.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In Scandinavian countries, there is not word related to "ogre"; instead, beings called trolls take their role in the fairy tales. Trolls are considered to be the inhabitants of mountains or castles far away in the wilderness, where they hoard fabulous treasures (compare with the Irish leprechaun). Scandinavian fairy tales usually imagine trolls as gigantic creatures, often with monstrous features ? although a south-Scandinavian tradition holds them to be a much more human-like folk, both in appearance and customs.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Literature for children has plenty of tales mentioning ogres and kidnapped princesses who were rescued by valiant knights and, sometimes, peasants. Ogres are also popular in fantasy games.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

By extension, the term ogre applies to disgusting persons with a violent temper. This is undoubtedlty the basis for the coarse fraternity brother, Ogre, who was played by Don Gibb in the Revenge of the Nerds movies.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Blue, red, and black ogres with horns and iron clubs appear in Momotaro ("Peach Boy"), a Japanese fairy tale, as well as in several other works inspired in the local mythology and religion. For more information, see oni.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Other fairy tales with ogres in them: Motiratika, Tritill Litill And The Birds, and Don Firriulieddu. In the tale Puss in Boots, a cat outwits a shape-changing ogre. Negoogunogumbar is an ogre of Pygmy myth who devours children.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Folklore: Folklore is the ethnographic concept of the tales, legends, or superstitions current among a particular population, a part of the Oral tradition or oral history of a particular culture. The academic study of folklore is known as folkloristics....

Mythology: :"Myth" redirects here. For the computer game, see Myth (computer game)....

Northern Europe: Northern Europe is a name of the northern part of the European continent. At different times this region has been defined differently but today it is generally seen to include:...

Ogre related Images and Photos (experimental)

Handsome Ogre, Shrek Jacket - Boys

An Ogre Who Eats Children Who Misbehave

The Ogre Glares at Puss in Boots as He Bows and Scrapes Before Him