What was the name of the queen of mice? - briefly
The queen of mice is called «Mousa». She is the sovereign figure in the related folklore.
What was the name of the queen of mice? - in detail
The mouse monarch known in folklore and literature is called «Mauskönigin». The name appears in several Germanic tales, where the queen rules a hidden kingdom beneath the floorboards of old houses. In the medieval romance «Der König der Mäuse», the queen is described as wise, benevolent, and the mother of all mouse families.
Literary appearances
- «Mauskönigin» features in the 19th‑century collection of fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm, where she assists a lost child by providing safe passage through the underground tunnels.
- The character reappears in Beatrix Potter’s story «The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse», where the queen is referenced as the leader of the mouse community that maintains cleanliness in the garden.
- Modern fantasy novels, such as The Mouse Kingdom by L. H. Anders, rename her «Mauskönigin» and expand her role to include diplomatic relations with other animal realms.
Cultural significance
The queen embodies the archetype of a hidden ruler, representing order within chaos. Folk songs from the Alpine region mention her as a protector against pests, attributing successful harvests to her favor. In contemporary symbolism, «Mauskönigin» appears on insignia of wildlife conservation groups that focus on small mammal habitats.
Etymology
The term combines the German words for “mouse” (Maus) and “queen” (Königin). Early manuscripts show the spelling «Mauskönigin» without diacritics, indicating a direct translation rather than a borrowed foreign name. The French adaptation «Reine des souris» is occasionally used in translations, but the original German form remains the standard reference.