medieval literature described the witte wieven more like pranksters and pests. Later Christian teaching transformed the idea of a "witte wieven" into mistflarden (wisps of mist or fog): ghost witches — recharacterized as evil and to be avoided. In certain legends "Alvinne" was a ghost in a white cloak. Legacy The following places were named after witte wieven, and report witte wieven legends: In the Netherlands: Near the Village of Eefde is Wittewievenbult: this translates as "White Women Hill". Local legend holds that White Women appear on Christmas Eve every year and dance on this hill. Near the Village of Barchem is Wittewijvenkuil: this translates as "White Women Pit". It is a pit between two local hills. Local legend holds that three white women lived there. See also Dames Blanches (White Ladies of French mythology, similar) Völva Weiße Frauen (White Women of German mythology, similar) White Goddess (book by Robert Graves) White women (disambiguation) Notes Sources Grimm, Jacob (1835). Deutsche Mythologie (German Mythology); From English released version Grimm's Teutonic Mythology (1888); Available online by Northvegr © 2004-2007, Chapter 32, page 3. Reginheim. Heathen History of the Achterhoek. 2002. Files retrieved 02-24-2007 Reginheim. Witte wieven. 2007. (in English) File retrieved 03-08-2007. External links Witte wieven by Varhalen (in Dutch) lycos/newpage3 (in Dutch) Dutch legendary creatures Female legendary creatures