Alpine descent heart

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Alpine descent hearts or Häärzli are traditional decorative hearts made of wood with which the cattle in Liechtenstein are adorned during the Almabtrieb , called "Alpine descent" in the Alemannic dialect . The custom is restricted to Liechtenstein and has been traceable here since 1830.

description

During the annual transfer of the cattle from the mountain pastures ( Alps ) back to the villages in the valley, the herds are festively decorated with flowers. The best dairy cows can be recognized by the fact that they also wear beautiful and heavy bells; In addition, milking stools decorated with ribbons and flowers are placed on their heads, and a wooden heart, the so-called Alpine descent heart, is tied to their foreheads. After the alpine descent, the hearts are traditionally nailed to the outer wall of the cattle shed. The Alpine descent hearts are a regional specialty in the Liechtenstein Oberland .

The hearts are about 14 cm wide and 17 cm high and often bear the inscription "JHS", a Christ monogram . While they used to be made by the alpine shepherds and were therefore very individually designed, today their appearance is simpler and more standardized, and their production is limited to a few companies.

In 1980, the Liechtenstein artist Georg Malin designed a special stamp with the motif of a historic Alpine descent heart from 1849, which was issued as part of the “Alpine farming equipment” series.

Presentation of Alpine descent hearts in the Walser Museum Triesenberg (2019)

The Walser Museum in Triesenberg shows a selection of Alpine descent hearts in its permanent exhibition.

literature

  • Alexander Frick: About alpine descent hearts and other religious customs in our Alps . In: Bergheimat. Annual publication of the Liechtenstein Alpine Club . Schaan 1969, p. 45-74 .
  • Adulf Peter Goop, Günther Meier, Daniel Quaderer: Customs of Liechtenstein. Old customs and new manners . Ed .: Daniel Quaderer. Schaan 2005, p. 92 .
  • Provincial School Board of the Principality of Liechtenstein (Ed.): Reading book for the fifth school year of the Liechtenstein elementary schools . Vaduz 1955, p. 221-223 .
  • David Beck: Alpine farming and custom in Liechtenstein . In: Swiss Folklore . Volume 45, No. 1 , 1955, pp. 33-41 .
  • Alois Ospelt: Alpine descent. In: Historical Lexicon of the Principality of Liechtenstein . December 31, 2011 .
  • Vera Meier Heymann: Customs. In: Historical Lexicon of the Principality of Liechtenstein . December 31, 2011 .

Web links

Commons : Alpabfahrtherz  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b A tradition for generations. Liechtenstein Fatherland , September 11, 2014, accessed on July 27, 2019 .