NECK
Neck is one of the best-known type of creatures in Iceland and he is widely to find. He is early mentioned in the written sources. Norway and the Orkneys have a similar creature like Neck in their folklore. Neck resembles mostly a horse, but is related to pigs, he is usually gray or stonegrey color, a bit choppy and has much of hair on his mane and tail. He is not quite like a horse because both of his ears turn backwards so does his hooves. There are also twelvefeet Necks but they are usually fourfeet. The Necks scream are considered to mark the start of changing weather. To come across him in the fog is especially dangerous.
The Neck has also a bladder under his left Hoof. If you manage to pop the bladder the Neck will be the best horse and wont be looking to his homes again. The Neck has often been called these names through the years: Nennir, Sænaut, Waterhorse, Nóni and Waterdevil. Some sources say that the Neck can appear in many different mimetics, such as a horse, bull, fish, or a very large salmon. Because of that it is very difficult to distinguish the Neck from other animals.
Folklore say that these fantastic creatures live in lakes, rivers and sea and come on land to seduce people on their back, and run with them into the water and drown with them sitting on the Necks back. You can't jump off because his skin is like a glue or a magnet. The Neck can move between lakes, two or three or even more, he goes underground or above ground.He often moves on New Year's Eve and he is a year in each of them.
The Neck has also a bladder under his left Hoof. If you manage to pop the bladder the Neck will be the best horse and wont be looking to his homes again. The Neck has often been called these names through the years: Nennir, Sænaut, Waterhorse, Nóni and Waterdevil. Some sources say that the Neck can appear in many different mimetics, such as a horse, bull, fish, or a very large salmon. Because of that it is very difficult to distinguish the Neck from other animals.
Folklore say that these fantastic creatures live in lakes, rivers and sea and come on land to seduce people on their back, and run with them into the water and drown with them sitting on the Necks back. You can't jump off because his skin is like a glue or a magnet. The Neck can move between lakes, two or three or even more, he goes underground or above ground.He often moves on New Year's Eve and he is a year in each of them.
He can't handle hearing his name, nor another word like it, and if he hears it he takes reflex and runs into the water. The Neck can't hear the word "andskotinn" nor other words of the devil because it gives the impression that the Neck is of devils root. Some people also believe that the Neck is the devil in the shape of a horse. Then it probably isn't a surprise that he also avoids God's name and church bells.
,, Anyone who wants to ride the Neck without having worries can never mention a word that starts with "n" while he is on his back and to proof it is this story:
A boy came to the riverbank and was looking for sheeps. Beside the riverbank was the Neck. The Boy went on his back and rode to the town and asked if it was not yet noon, but then the Neck took a reflex and ran to the water with the boy on his back. No one has ever killed a Neck. Once there were nine men that came to the river and they all got on the back of the Neck but the last one crossed himself and then went on the Necks back. The one who crossed himself was drowned by the Neck."[1]
,, Anyone who wants to ride the Neck without having worries can never mention a word that starts with "n" while he is on his back and to proof it is this story:
A boy came to the riverbank and was looking for sheeps. Beside the riverbank was the Neck. The Boy went on his back and rode to the town and asked if it was not yet noon, but then the Neck took a reflex and ran to the water with the boy on his back. No one has ever killed a Neck. Once there were nine men that came to the river and they all got on the back of the Neck but the last one crossed himself and then went on the Necks back. The one who crossed himself was drowned by the Neck."[1]
,, There was once upon a time a man that was called Karl and he went to get a brown riding horse that he had. He meets the brown horse on his way not far from some water. It seems to him that this horse is his Brown and he ties a string in his mouth. But then he looks at the horse and realise that this horse has more fax than his horse and although he has the right hoof. Karl suspected then much and looked at the horses face. Then he sees that he has only one eye in the middle of the head. Then the man said: ,,So it's you, you devil?" With these words, Brown ran into the water because it was the Neck not his Brown." [2]
[1] Jón Árnason (1819-1888): Íslenzkar þjóðsögur og ævintýri. 3 bindi, bls 207
[2] Sigfús Sigfússon (1855-1935): Íslenskar þjóðsögur og sagnir. Ný útgáfa, 4. Bindi, bls. 91.
[1] Jón Árnason (1819-1888): Íslenzkar þjóðsögur og ævintýri. 3 bindi, bls 207
[2] Sigfús Sigfússon (1855-1935): Íslenskar þjóðsögur og sagnir. Ný útgáfa, 4. Bindi, bls. 91.