A grave sow is an apparition in the shape of a little piglet, similar to a church grim in that it may be the spirit of a sow that was once buried alive, and now appears as a premonitor of death and destruction.

If the piglet appears night after night it may indicate a child that has been buried in secret. This grave sow will continue to appear until the child is found and properly re-buried.

To find the child watch to see where the piglet appears and dig there.

Also known as Gray Sow.

See Also: Creatures by Type: Harbingers

References

Craigie, William Alexander. Scandinavian Folk-lore. London: Alexander Gardner, 1896.

Thorpe, Benjamin. Northern Mythology. London: Edward Lumley, 1851.