lacrimaasje

Lacrimaasje is a legendary creature of the Alpine folklore of northern Italy and southern Switzerland, often appearing in traditional tales of the Dolomites. Described as a small, translucent being resembling a dripping tear, the lacrimaasje is said to inhabit mist‑shrouded valleys and sequestered glacial springs, where its luminous body blends with the surrounding water. According to local lore, the creature can shed tears that heal wounds and restore lost memory, and it is sometimes invoked by healers seeking a cure for melancholia.

The name derives from the Latin word lacrima, meaning “tear,” combined with a regional diminutive suffix, suggesting “little tear.” Scholars who have documented the myth argue that the creature’s imagery reflects the human symbolic connection between tears and purification. In certain narratives it rides the vapor of a mountain stream, while in others it acts as a guardian of hidden springs, protecting them from looters.

In the early twentieth century, the lacrimaasje became a motif in Alpine romantic literature, where writers used it to represent the fragile beauty of the highlands. The creature also appears in local song and dance, where performers wear costumes resembling droplets of water. More recent cultural depictions have included a brief cameo in a European animated short that celebrates mountain spirits.

Despite its presence in folklore, no zoological evidence supports the existence of the lacrimaasje, and it remains a symbol in regional cultural heritage rather than a scientifically documented animal.