Jersey Devil

A well-known legend from the U.S. state of New Jersey reported by the Jersey Devil (English devil from (New ) Jersey ), a strange hybrid creature, which is found in the southern Atlantic state, according to legend.

Appearance

The devil is often described as a bipedal creature with hooves, short arms and narrow wings, although the appearance varies depending on the story. The legs are often depicted horsey. Others report a hairy and ape-like animal, a dog-like monster or a " conventional demon ". In a few stories, he also reminiscent of a kangaroo. In some of the oldest descriptions is talk of a canine head, ram's horns and a long neck. For some time now in the space of New Jersey, however, all sorts of unidentifiable creatures, like Bigfoot or other myths that have nothing to do with the original legend, known as Jersey Devil.

Comparisons

The Jersey Devil is often compared to the Central American Chupacabra. However, the devil has never been described as prickly. There have been some cases where the Jersey Devil was blamed for deaths among animals, but there were no unusual cuts or organ losses noted. The Chupacabra is not traditionally depicted as bipedal.

Legend

According to legend, the devil is the 13th child of Mrs. Leeds, a resident of the Pine Barrens, a wooded area in New Jersey, while his was the middle of the 18th century. However, Mrs. Leeds had 12 children and should therefore have said of pregnancy: I am tired of children! Let it be a devil! ("I 've had enough of children! Let it be a devil !"). Supposedly fled after birth through the chimney of the "devil".

There are different versions of the legend. In some stories, the devil has been originally a human child who locked the mother in the basement. According to another story of the Jersey Devil was at the door, should have knocked three times, and asked his mother to let him in, but the mother did not want a devil and sent him away.

Another legend, apart from the Leeds history, the birth of the devil writes a curse, with a selfish young woman was busy, which refused to grant a gypsy food and shelter.

In yet another version, the story takes place in Eastville / or NJ Leeds Point. Instead Mrs. Leeds and Mrs. Shrouds is indicated in some cases.

The Shrouds house, a log cabin within the Pine Barrens, was said to be the birthplace of the Devils. The house today there are no more, but will have to at least 1952 still stood.

Facts

Of the many versions there are always parts that are based on facts. In Leeds Point, for example, actually lived from the end of the 17th century a family named Leeds. Also interesting is the fact that there was another family named shrouds to the family in the neighboring village. The two families parted just a river. At this time, the persecution of witches was still current. The alleged " hoof prints " can be traced back to traces of wood mice when these hopping move around in the snow. They form a rearwardly open, U-shaped track that is straight and at a short distance. Since mice can climb well over hedges, fences and roofs, this explains the sometimes strange sites of the " devil tracks."

Subsequent sightings

While the residents of New Jersey after decades still believed to the essence, the madness started in other villages. In New York, about the beginning of the 1840s were known reports of mysterious animal sacrifices cases that were attributed to an unknown entity. In Philadelphia, hoof prints were discovered, which should appear to come from the Jersey Devil. The descriptions of alleged eyewitnesses were often very different, and from the size you described him usually no larger than 1.50 m. Very many sightings there were also in Western Europe, especially in England. Again, there were hoof prints that went over houses. More " finds " there should have been in Latin America and even in Antarctica. In all these cases, one should note that some go far into the 20th century. Some eyewitnesses also reported that they had fired on the Jersey Devil. The local Fire Department of New Jersey even claims to have rinsed it with a jet of water from a house.

More

• The legend inspired the name of an NHL hockey team of New Jersey, the New Jersey Devils
• About the Jersey Devil also an eponymous video game for the PlayStation was released.
• The Jersey Devil is an enemy in the video game Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia.
• Also in the TV series The X-Files, there was a episode titled " The Jersey Devil ", but the was about a cannibalistic wild men and had nothing to do with the Jersey Devil.
• Also there is a movie about the legend of the Jersey Devils from 1998 called The Last Broadcast. In the movie there is a played reportage, in which want to find out two presenters of the show " Fact or Fiction" whether the Jersey Devil really exists.
• Among other things, there is also a song by Coheed and Cambria titled "Devil in Jersey City".
• In addition, a tomato variety exists with banana-shaped fruit named Jersey Devil
• 2012 appeared based on the legend of horror film Jersey Devil, directed by Darren Lynn Bousman.