Say of the incorruptible hand
The legend of the incorruptible hand has its origins in the northern Palatinate town of Eisenberg ( Rhineland-Palatinate ), where the subject of the legend about perjury is shown in a showcase .
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The so-called incorruptible hand or Eisenberger oath hand is presented in a showcase that is set up in the entrance area of the Protestant church, which was built from 1898 to 1900 in a neo-Gothic style . A framed explanation explains the circumstances to the viewer. According to this, the exhibit was shown in the previous church in the middle of the 19th century. Even then, it was assumed that the age of the property would be “gray times”. Like the age, the origin is also unknown.
It is the mummified remains of a right human hand . The thumb is completely absent, as are the end links of the index, middle and ring fingers, the little finger is completely present. A piece of the ulna hangs from the carpal bone . The showcase also contains two separate bones. They appear to be complete elbow bones, which must therefore come from at least one other person.
legend
The theologian and writer Johann Schiller (1812–1886) reported in his folk calendar in 1853:
Two forest owners in the area of Eisenberg, which in the northern Palatinate Forest lies, argued about the limits of their forest districts and went before court . A forester was heard there as an expert witness . Because he had been bribed by one of the two parties involved in the process , he testified falsely and even swore perjury to the detriment of the rightful owner. The winner of the legal dispute, however, made “enormous profit”.
After the forester's death, an eerie incident occurred at the funeral . As soon as the grave was shoveled, there was a sudden loud thud as the wooden coffin apparently burst. The floor gaped, and the dead man's right hand , with which the perjury had been carried out, protruded from the grave. Tried to cover it with earth again, but it kept stretching itself up. Schiller concludes his report:
“Then the judgment of God was recognized by the perjurer and the hand was removed as an eternal memory. Immortal as it is, it is still shown today in the Eisenberg church. At least the narrator saw it with his own eyes. "
literature
- Alexander Schöppner: Bavarian Legends (939) . Third volume. Verlag Rieger, Munich 1853 (reprinted by Lothar Borowsky, Munich 1979, ISBN 3-7917-0896-1 ).
- Palatinate and Saarland (= Grieben travel guide ). Karl Thiemig Verlag, Munich 1968, p. 65 ( limited preview in Google Book search).
Web links
- Website of the evangelical parish of Eisenberg with its own section "Zur Oathhand" (at the bottom of the page)
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d Johann Schiller : The incorruptible hand. In: The Sickinger Bote. 1853, accessed on August 19, 2020 (Gutenberg-DE project; Volkskalender).