The word ‘ogre’ has its roots in the French language and is generally attributed to the Etruscan god Orcus. Although it is not certain that the origin of these creatures is Orcus himself, their brutal features and cannibalistic tendencies were enough to establish a connection that lasted from the late 12th century to the present day. The first of these connections is believed to come from a romantic verse in ‘Perceval, li contes de graal’ written by Chrétien de Troyes. The verse reads as follows:
“And it is written that he returns again, to all the kingdoms of Logres, known as the land of these creatures, and destroys them with that Lance.” The ogres in this verse are thought to be the same beings that lived in ancient Britain (Logres is believed to be the kingdom of King Arthur).
Not much is known about the origin of these ogres, although they seem to have a very close relationship with the giants and cannibals of mythology. It is possible that these creatures are the same, or at least have a similar origin, such as goblins or elves.
Before knights roamed the wild lands of Scotland and common peasants walked the cobblestone streets of London, a race of repulsive creatures called the United Kingdom their home: ogres. These hideous beings were known to terrorize the first human settlers, and they were particularly fond of eating babies and children. Close the doors and walk carefully along the forest paths: once an ogre smells human flesh, its hunger is insatiable.
Physical appearance
When it comes to ogres, everyone tends to agree on several key facts. First, ogres are always seen as remarkably large. They are similar to humans in appearance, but their size makes it clear that they are not human in nature. They are extremely tall (which tends to give them associations with giants) and tend to be very robust. Their bodies are strong and sturdy. It is possible that the many muscles that make up the ogre’s stature are responsible for their robust build.
In addition to their physical build, ogres often have an excess of hair. This only adds to their fearsome appearance and makes them seem even more animal-like. Most of these creatures also have a skin tone that is not similar to that of humans. The most common colors mentioned are generally green and blue.
Last but not least, ogres are known for their extreme hunger for human flesh. They are terrifying beasts that everyone fears, but especially mothers of babies and young children. An ogre can consume an astonishing amount of flesh, which is partly why they were known for raiding villages and leaving death and destruction in their wake.
Famous ogres in mythology
Within mythology, there are many different stories about these mystical creatures, their way of life, physical appearance, origin, and legends surrounding them. Among the most famous ogres are:
Puss in Boots
This is a classic tale that has inspired many works of art and fiction since its release. The story follows a cat who is the inheritance of a young boy born into a poor family. The cat helps the boy go from rags to riches using tricks and manipulation to overcome obstacles and the ogre who stands in his way.
Hop-o’-My-Thumb
Hop-o’-My-Thumb is the story of a boy who uses his cunning to save himself and his brothers from multiple threats, including being eaten by an ogre and his family. There are many underlying ideas in this story, but what is perhaps most interesting is the insight into the perspective of ogres that can be gained from this story.
Ogres are portrayed as intelligent creatures who display a certain civility and adhere to family units that are similar to those of humans. The ogre in this story had a wife and several daughters, and lived in a house that was apparently furnished in a similar way to human homes.
Origin of the ogre myth
There are many different ogres in the mythology of all cultures, suggesting that the creatures that inspired the creation of the ogre were either widespread or entirely metaphorical. There is, of course, the possibility that ogre myths spread due to interactions between primitive cultures and adaptations of the tradition as they interacted. However, the existence of ogres in countries such as Japan, which remained largely isolated from other cultures, makes this less likely.
Genetic disorders
Those who look to science for answers to strange tales of mythical creatures such as ogres propose that these monsters may have been inspired by people with genetic disorders. At the time, it was unlikely that a genetic abnormality could have been properly diagnosed, and the individual suffering from the condition would probably have been seen as inhuman.
Nephilim
There are many who believe that the story of ogres may have had a more biblical inspiration—specifically the biblical reference to the Nephilim. The Nephilim were a race of giants who were supposedly created by the union of an angel and a human woman. They were known to be heroes in their time and were believed to be great warriors. There are many who believe that the giants that appear in the Bible (such as Goliath and Og) had ties to the Nephilim.
Metaphorical learning tool
When examining ogre mythology, it is also important to note that babies and children seem to be their ideal source of food. Many legends and fairy tales are known to have their roots in teaching children to take care of their parents, thus extending the number of young people who made it from childhood to adulthood.
Ogres were a supposed population that lived in the forest and towered far above the height of the average man or woman. This meant—from a child’s perspective—that not even an adult man could save them if they were unlucky enough to encounter an ogre while exploring on their own. This, combined with the fact that children were the ogres’ favorite food, would have been more than enough to keep curious children from straying too far.
Possible Mythical Connections to Ogres
Mythical connections between creatures and other legends that are related to each other and give way to a new story with other creatures include:
Legend of the Orc and the Ogre
Orcus was an Etruscan god known for his intense craving for human flesh and his reign over the land of the dead (similar to Pluto and Hades). Orcus was depicted as a large, bearded giant with excessive hair—which is likely where the connection to ogres comes from. It is said that Orcus was actually a cyclops, which is not surprising considering that this is another creature commonly associated with ogre mythology.
Og – The Last of the Giants
Although most people agree that Orcus was the inspiration for the name ‘ogre’, there are those who think that these mythical monsters may have gotten their name from another source. Among these alternative sources is Og – the last of the Giants.
The legend of Og comes from Hebrew mythology and is recorded in the Bible in Deuteronomy, Numbers, and Psalms. Og is said to be the last of the Rephaim (giants) and was known for being an enormous being. His bed is said to have been approximately 13.5 feet long and 6 feet wide.
Oiagros
Not much is known about Oiagros (also known as Oeagrus) other than that he was a river god and that he and Calliope fathered Orpheus and Linus. However, there are legends of an area that was near the river Hebrus and was named ‘Oeagria’ in his honor. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that ogres were named after that area of land and have a connection to Oiagros for this reason.
Orco
In the Italian language, they appear as the word ‘orco’. This monster, very similar to an ogre, is a creature that craves human flesh and has many characteristics of traditional ogres. The many similarities lead many people to believe that the ogre and this creature are the same type of monster. This in turn leads many to believe that Orcus was the inspiration for both creatures due to the similarity in their traits and names.
Oni
Oni are another race of monsters that bear striking similarities to the creatures of Great Britain. They are known to have strange-colored skin (usually red or blue), to be extremely hairy, to have large fangs, and to be hungry for human flesh, especially babies and children. Many call the Oni Japanese ogres and suggest that their existence alongside the existence of the Orc is proof that ogres were a common monster in many primitive cultures.
