Hockauf belongs chiefly to the German-language legends of the borderlands. In Šumava he was called the Strangler. Tradition does not define his appearance precisely, but his behaviour is clear: he attacks a lone person, clings to their back or fur coat and chokes them.
Where it appears
Šumava, the borderlands and also traditions from the Mikulov area.
What the old legends say
The legends chiefly warn against travelling alone at night. Hockauf was said to cling to a person’s back and choke them, so it was best not to let an unknown figure approach closely, not to turn towards strange calls and to keep to lit or familiar paths. In Christian versions, prayer and the sign of the cross offered protection.
SOURCES OF THE STORY
Sources of the original atlas Tajemná místa · page 31
This legend preserves a folk tale. Its motifs do not constitute evidence of supernatural events.
