Tajemná místaATLAS OF STORIES AND LEGENDS
Household and guardian spirits · MYTHICAL BEING

Permoník, the Mine Spirit

Illustration for Permoník, the Mine Spirit
Colour illustration in the style of a nineteenth-century drawing

Permoníci are beings of mining legends. They usually have large heads, broad shoulders, short legs and miners’ clothing with a lamp. Their presence may warn of a mining disaster, but can also be a good sign pointing to rich ore. A miner was always supposed to greet a permon respectfully.

Where it appears

The mining areas of Kladno, Příbram, Kutná Hora and Oslavany, and other mining regions.

What the old legends say

A miner was always to greet the permoník politely, never shout at him and heed his warnings. If unusual knocking was heard or the sprite behaved restlessly, legend held that it was wise to stop work and leave the dangerous place.

SOURCES OF THE STORY

Sources of the original atlas Tajemná místa · page 36

This legend preserves a folk tale. Its motifs do not constitute evidence of supernatural events.

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