Ogre
In European folklore, Ogres are large, fearsome humanoids known for their strength and appetite. They are often portrayed as unintelligent, embodying primal instincts and a lust for violence, a monstrous figure that serves as a cautionary embodiment of unchecked aggression and gluttony.
At a glance
- Tradition
- European folklore (general)
- Region
- Europe (place of origin)
- Trait family
- The Great-Thewed
- Symbols
- Nose
Near this figure
Symbols
Judged against the description by a model. Meanings are our own paraphrase.
- Nose bears image-domain The nose denotes the breath of life and oldest of the senses, judging by scent what sight cannot, and cut away to deny survival.
why
Their faces are characterized by exaggerated features: bulbous noses, jutting jaws with protruding tusks or fangs, and small, beady eyes that gleam with a predatory light.
Traits
Read from the figure's description, which a model wrote. Open "why" for the sentence a trait came from.
Behaviour
- Trickster outwits larger foes
why
This lack of intelligence is often their downfall in stories, where clever heroes outwit them rather than overpower them directly.
Offensive powers
- Superhuman strength
why
Their immense size is matched only by their prodigious strength and insatiable appetite, which frequently extends beyond mere sustenance to a hunger for violence and destruction.
Roles
Judged from the works' own entries, not from the description. Carries: the figure holds the role. Meets: the role is in its stories, held by something it meets.
- Shadow carries both readings
4 citations
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Ogre."
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Ogre."
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, s.v. "Ogre."
- Maria Leach, editor, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, s.v. "Ogre."
- Hero meets
4 citations
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Ogre."
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Ogre."
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, s.v. "Ogre."
- Maria Leach, editor, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, s.v. "Ogre."
- Trickster meets
4 citations
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Ogre."
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Ogre."
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, s.v. "Ogre."
- Maria Leach, editor, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, s.v. "Ogre."