Читать книгу The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A–Z of Fantastic Beings from Myth and Magic - John Matthews - Страница 208

The Bean Nighe or washing woman of the Scottish Highlands is a fairy who is seen washing the bloodstained linen of those doomed to die. If the linen is that of the one who observes the Bean Nighe at her bloody laundry, then he will not have long to live. She was particularly busy during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 when she was observed by many. It is said that those who approach the Bean Nighe carefully may ask of her three requests, but she will only grant these if the questioner first answers three questions to her satisfaction. The more daring adventurer might seize on one of her breasts by approaching her from behind. If any is successful in sucking from her breast, then he or she becomes the Bean Nighe’s foster child and, as such, is qualified to receive second sight. Some believe the Bean Nighe to be the ghost of a woman who has died in childbirth. When such a death was likely, the family would help wash all the woman’s clothes to prevent her having to wash them in the next life forever. (See Washer at the Ford.)