The Lavanderas, or Washerwomen, are three laundresses in the folklore of many regions of Europe. They are said to predict the deaths of people, thus being an omen or portent of death.
They go to the water’s edge at midnight to wash shrouds for those about to die.
In the folklore of Iberia they are known as the Lavanderas, Lavandeiras, Garbigileak, and Llavanderes depending on the region.
They are old women who frequent rivers and fountains, where they work with a hypnotic and tireless gesture, inviting those who pass by to help them.
In Iberian folklore, there are two ways to deal with them once seen.
The first, is simply to keep walking, to pass by without saying a word to them, ignoring their pleas.
The other is agreeing to help without complaints, and to twist the clothes in the opposite way as they do.
Other names for the Washerwomen in various Celtic languages include the kannerezed noz in Brittany & the Bean nighe in Scottish.
The three old women go to the water’s edge at midnight to wash the bloodstained clothing of those who are about to die, according to Celtic folklore
In Wales and Cornwall a passerby must avoid being seen by the washerwomen.
In Ireland, they are an ominous portent, foretelling death, either one’s own or a death in the family.
In Scotland, if one can get between the washerwomen & water, they are required to grant three wishes
Brittany & Normandy have the lavandière de la nuit.
They can be an ominous portent, foretelling death. They have very pale skin and are often dressed in white.
They wash graveclothes, usually at night, under the moonlight, and have an intense dislike of being disturbed.
Selon les légendes des Corbières occidentales en Languedoc, les fées lavandières peuplent les grottes et les endroits ténébreux, sortent la nuit et vont laver leur linge avec des battoirs d’or dans le Lauquet (rivière affluent de l’Aude) ou les ruisseaux voisins.
Spiorad baineann i mbéaloideas na hÉireann is ea banshee a fhógraíonn bás duine den teaghlach, de ghnáth trí caoineadh nó ag screadaíl. Tá gruaig fhada shruthlaithe aici, agus tá a súile dearg ó caoineadh leanúnach. Is gnách go dtaispeánann siad in aice le coirp uisce.
I Panas sono gli spiriti delle donne morte di parto. Sono tornati nel mondo mortale e hanno l’aspetto di essere vivi. Lavano i vestiti dei loro bambini. È possibile trovare panas vicino a fiumi e torrenti che si trovano vicino agli incroci. Cantano ninne nanne tristi.
English translation for the last three paragraphs:
According to the legends of the western Corbières in Languedoc, the washerwomen fairies populate the caves and dark places, go out at night and go to wash their laundry with golden beaters in the Lauquet (river tributary of the Aude) or the neighboring streams.
A banshee is a female spirit in Irish folklore who announces the death of a family member, usually by wailing or screaming. She has long flowing hair, and her eyes are red from constant crying. They usually appear near bodies of water.
The Panas are the spirits of women who died in childbirth. They have returned to the mortal world and appear to be alive. They wash their children’s clothes. It is possible to find panas near rivers and streams that are found near crossings. They sing sad lullabies.
And even now it was as if a tectonic force had taken hold of Europe and, using its fingernails, had lifted it up and tilted it, politically, causing a heavy mudslide in the direction of old illusions, old dreams of purity and cruelty.
“Oktober” by Martin Amis (2015)
And even now it was as if a tectonic force had taken hold of Europe and, using its fingernails, had lifted it up and tilted it, politically, causing a heavy mudslide in the direction of old illusions, old dreams of purity and cruelty.
