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The motif Purification with water is a part of: Magic

Keywords:

Water, purification, magic, power

Description of this motif: Purification with water reminds of several forms of religious purification, i.g. baptism. In Andersen's tales the motif is found as a magic ritual in "Dødningen" ('The Dead Man' or 'The Ghost' (1830) and "The Travelling Companion" (1838)) and as redeeming tears, e.g. in "The Girl Who Trod on the Loaf", where an angel's tears fall on Inger in Limbo, and Gerda's tears, that thy Kay's frozen heart in "The Snow Queen".

Example :

The tale has not been translated (by Hersholt) and is therefore quoted in Danish. Further information and links.

Prindsessen skreeg høit, i det han dykkede hende under Vandet, og sprællede ham under Hænderne som en stor, kulsort Svane, af hvis Øine de gloende Funker spillede; men da hun anden Gang hævede sig over Vandet igien, var Svanen hvid paa en eneste sort Ring nær, som den bar om Halsen, da han med inderlig Bøn til Gud, lod Vandet tredie Gang spille høit over Fuglen, hævede den sig rask i Veiret, Svanehammen faldt af, og han holdt Prindsessen i sine Arme. Hun var endnu langt skiønnere end før, og takkede ham med Taare i sine deilige Øine, fordi han havde hævet hendes Fortryllelse. -