Why are brooms and cauldrons associated with witches?

Why are brooms and cauldrons associated with witches?
  • Various theories have emerged about these characters that have been published in ancient books.

A pointed hat, cape, a black cat, a straw broom, pointed boots, an elongated nose, with a wart right next to it: this is the classic image that stories and films about witches have shown. This iconic character has become one of the most popular costumes to celebrate Halloween.

According to a publication in the American media grunge, It is difficult to decipher the origin of the reason why witches flew on brooms. However, he points out that there is a theory that suggests that witches used brooms because they supposedly rubbed a mixture of herbs and oils or fats on a staff before assembling it.

That version was related in the 13th century by a magician named Abramelin, who had written about witches. According to a blog post Psychology Todaythe supposed preparation that witches would use could have included Mandrake, a hallucinogenic plant that possibly had an effect on women who used it in the 14th and 15th centuries.

On the other hand, in a publication by Infobae The use of the broom as a symbol of witches would be a reality that has been distorted over time, since in ancient times it was women who used this tool to clean their homes. Likewise, according to history books, witches used brooms to “cleanse bad energies” before performing their spells.

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Photo: Pixabay

Why do they use a cauldron?

Another symbolic element in witches is the use of cauldrons because it is directly associated with magic. Its origins also date back to ancient times. They are characterized by being large pots made of metal or clay that people used for cooking or preparing beer, as well as home remedies.

In witchcraft, these elements play a fundamental role in religious rituals. According to the blog Withy Hocus Pocus, In Celtic traditions these large pots were believed to have magical properties and were used to make healing potions, spells and divination.

Why are brooms and cauldrons associated with witches?

Photo: Pixabay

This is how in the 16th and 17th centuries the cauldron became a symbol that represented the dark arts and supernatural powers.

According to a publication by Infobaeone of the first records of cauldrons associated with witches took place in the work Of Light and Pythonic Women (1489), by Ulrich Molitor, one of the first illustrated treatises on witchcraft. This text discusses the phenomenon of witches and women with “supernatural abilities.”

Other characteristic accessories of witches

The witches that are known through animations, movies and stories show a particular outfit, including the use of a pointed hat.

There are several theories that refer to the use of this accessory in witches. One of them is related to the 17th century religious community known as the Quakers, originally from England. These people were victims of persecution because of their values.

The women of this religion wore tall, pointed hats, which was seen as a symbol of difference for some citizens and of subversion.

Why was a woman considered a witch?

Although in many fictional stories witches are portrayed as evil beings, in reality they were women who, according to history books, were burned at the stake because they had specialized knowledge.

A Jornada blog post mentions that at that time women who were considered witches performed functions such as midwives, alchemists, perfumers, wet nurses or cooks who had knowledge in areas such as anatomy, botany, sexuality or reproduction.

Why are brooms and cauldrons associated with witches?

Photo: Pixabay

the book The return of the witchesby philosopher Norma Blázquez Graf, from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), states that witches were not bad women, but were stereotyped by dominant groups in the Middle Ages.

Movies about witches

The world of entertainment has made countless movies related to witches. In some they are portrayed as evil beings, while in others they are a character who helps the rest of the figures present in the plot.

These are some of the most famous movies about witches:

The Wizard of Oz

The demon mask

The Witches of Eastwick

The curse of the witches

-Abracadabra

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Here’s a summary of the text⁢ you⁣ provided about witches, their symbolism, and accessories:

### Summary

**Symbolism of​ the Cauldron:**

– The cauldron is emblematic of witches and ⁤is ⁣historically linked to magic. Originating from ancient ​practices, cauldrons, typically large metal or clay pots, were used for cooking, brewing beer, ​and crafting home remedies.

– In witchcraft, cauldrons served vital functions in rituals, particularly in Celtic traditions where they were thought to possess magical qualities used for ‌crafting healing potions, spells, and​ divinations.

– By the⁤ 16th and 17th centuries, cauldrons became ⁣synonymous with the dark arts and supernatural abilities, heavily ⁣portrayed in cultural literature, such ‍as Ulrich‌ Molitor’s work from 1489, which explored witchcraft and women’s so-called “supernatural” skills.

**Characteristic Accessories of Witches:**

– Witches are commonly depicted wearing pointed hats, a style possibly originating from the‌ 17th-century Quaker community. Quaker women, who faced persecution for their ​beliefs, wore tall hats that became a symbol‍ of their difference from‍ mainstream ⁢society.

**Perception of Witches:**

– Contrary to their often villainous portrayal in fiction,​ historical witches were typically ‍knowledgeable women skilled in various practices‍ like midwifery, alchemy, and herbalism. This expertise often led to ‍their witchcraft accusations and tragic fates, such as being executed for their knowledge in anatomy and botany.

This text sheds light on the deep-rooted cultural and historical significance of cauldrons and other symbols associated ⁤with witches⁢ while challenging the negative portrayals of witches as⁣ mere figures of evil in modern media.

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