The Origin of the Name of the Nebelung

by Jessica Helms
(Newbury Park, CA, USA)

This is Spartacus - he has the less common yellow eyes.

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This is Spartacus - he has the less common yellow eyes.

The Nebelung takes part of its name from a cycle of Wagner operas - "Der Ring des Nibelungen" (The Ring of the Nibelung). The four operas are often referred to as The Ring Cycle. The founding cats of the breed were named Siegfried and Brunhilde which are two characters in the Ring Cycle who marry.

Unlike the cats which were siblings, the characters in the opera were aunt and nephew. SIDE NOTE: There were two characters in the opera, Siegmund and Sieglinde, who were siblings who fall in love. They are the parents of Siegfried. But I think Brunhilde is a more recognizable character; think of the fat opera singer with horns...that's her.

The plot of the Ring Cycle is very complicated. Check out these links for more information.

Der Ring des Nibelungen (Wikipedia)

This is an interactive look at all of the relationships in the opera.

Wagner's 'Ring' Cycle comes full circle

The word Nibelung is then combined with the German word nebel, which means mist, to create Nebelung - "creature of the mist."

Jessica

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The Origin of the Name of the Nebelung

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Dec 17, 2011 Do you know of anyone in the Newbury Park area that has nebelungs?
by: Kristin

I got my nebelung from a feed store in newbury park about 12 years ago... someone in the area must have been breeding them. do you know of anyone who may still have some? my little girl died a few days ago... thanks!!


Dec 14, 2011 Thank you
by: Michael

Thank you, Jessica, for taking the time to explain this. I will link to his page from the Nebelung page on this site.


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