The word “hexenbiest” literally translates to “witch-bee.” It’s a creature that appears in the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales, and it is also the name given to a magical being on the TV show Grimm.

The word “hexenbiest” is derived from the German words for “witch” (“Hexe”) and “bee” (“Bienen”). The term refers to any person who is both a witch and an insect at once; it can be used either as a noun or an adjective. In most cases, the word refers specifically to a female witch who has been transformed into an insect.

In some cases, the hexenbiest label is used interchangeably with other terms such as “fairy tale monster,” “supernatural creature,” or simply “evil witch.” However, it has also become somewhat synonymous with another creature known as a Hexenbeist. That creature can be described as being similar to a vampire except that it feeds on bees instead of blood.

Last modified: October 6, 2022