The Twelve Brothers

Grimm Os doze irm%C3%A3os

The Twelve Brothers is a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm, in Grimm's Fairy Tales as tale number 9. It falls under the international classification system, Aarne-Thompson-Uther (ATU), type 451, "The Brothers Who Were Turned into Birds."

Plot

The story begins with a king who, after having twelve sons, declares that if a daughter is born, the sons must be put to death so that the daughter can inherit all the wealth. To this end, he prepares twelve coffins. However, when the thirteenth child, a daughter, is born, the queen sends the twelve brothers into the forest to save their lives. Before leaving, the eldest brother discovers the coffins, which the queen explains, and he vows to protect his siblings.

In the forest, the brothers find a magical cottage where they vow to live. The eldest brother hunts for food while the others tend the house. They discover that if they find a white lily, their sister will live; but if they find a red lily, they will all perish. One day, the sister, now grown, finds her way to the cottage. Her presence initially causes the lilies to turn red, but this is quickly resolved, and the brothers are not harmed.

The sister takes on the household duties, and for a time, they live happily. However, the king of another realm sees the sister's golden star on her forehead and takes her to be his queen. The brothers, turned into ravens by the king's mother who disapproves of the marriage, can only be saved if the sister remains silent for seven years.

The tale concludes with the sister successfully remaining silent despite many trials, thus breaking the spell on her brothers. They are reunited and return to their father's kingdom, where they live happily ever after.

Themes and Analysis

The tale explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the bonds of family. The brothers' willingness to protect their sister at all costs, and the sister's silent endurance to save her brothers, highlight the depth of familial love and the sacrifices one is willing to make for family. The motif of transformation, common in fairy tales, is used here to symbolize the trials and tribulations that families may endure, yet also their potential for redemption and reunion.

Cultural Impact

The Twelve Brothers has influenced various forms of media and literature, inspiring adaptations in books, films, and plays. Its themes resonate across cultures, emphasizing the universal values of family unity and resilience.

See Also

• Grimm's Fairy Tales
• Folklore
• Fairy tale
• Aarne-Thompson classification systems