Featured in fairy tales and used in magic, toads and frogs are common characters in stories.
Introduction
Because of their appearance and habitats, toads and frogs have been viewed since prehistoric times as strange creatures, sometimes benevolent, sometimes malevolent. In ancient times, they were at the heart of legends, especially toads, which were associated with magic. They thus feature in folk beliefs and fairy tales.
History
Greek Antiquity and the Roman Era
In Greek mythology, the toad is associated with Hecate, the goddess of magic. It is also a chthonic creature, belonging to the Underworld. This association would later be reflected in Roman culture, where the toad was linked to witchcraft and was likewise considered poisonous.
Ancient Egypt
Frogs and toads are not considered separate there. It is a sacred animal whose appearance as a tadpole heralds the end of winter. They are associated with the goddess Hekat (or Heket), who also protects women in labor and symbolizes their fertility.
The Middle Ages
The toad retained its bad reputation during this period, and it can be said that this was the time—especially with the rise of Christianity—when it came to be seen solely as an evil creature. It was associated with the devil and served as a symbol of various evils and sins:
- pride: because he gets a big head.
- greed: like a toad resting on its wealth.
- lust: because it is associated with female sexuality.
- damnation: A toad near the grave of a believer is a sign of damnation.
- Ugliness: Nothing is uglier than a toad at this time of year.
- stain: the toad is an animal that clings on, like a stain caused by a sin that cannot be washed away.
- death: toads prowl around the corpses.
- magic: its ugliness, its connections to femininity, and magic since antiquity
- devil: Its green color is that of the demon of that era.
Despite this, a few families have used it on their coats of arms. Later, when toads and frogs had lost some of their negative reputation, a few French towns adopted them for their coats of arms: Moulotte in the Meuse department, Cuisles in the Marne department, and Chérêt in the Aisne department. Saint-Malachie, Quebec, also features a toad on its coat of arms. Dominica is the only country to have a toad on its coat of arms, as the toad is a symbolic animal there.
Japan
As in Egypt, frogs and toads are not considered harmful animals. Known as kaeru, they are considered good luck charms for travelers, who often carry amulets bearing their image to ensure they return safely. It is therefore not uncommon to find them—whether in semi-humanoid form or not—in manga, anime, and video games.
China
Among them is the Feng Shui frog, known as Jin Chan or Chan Chu. It is the frog of prosperity. It can ward off evil, protect wealth, and increase it. Legend has it that on full moon nights, it appears in front of homes and businesses that are destined to prosper.
India
According to Indian beliefs, a giant frog supports the universe.
Native Americans
For them, too, the frog is a symbol of good fortune. It is a totem animal associated with water, which heralds the coming of rain. In shamanism, it is invoked to bring rain or control the weather.
Witchcraft
Witches’ familiars
Along with the black cat, the spider, the raven, and the owl, the toad is a witch’s animal, serving as her familiar, which she carries on her shoulder. Sometimes it is one of the forms into which they transform. It is demonic, with horns, and is believed to possess numerous powers. With a mere glance, it can hypnotize, which allows it to kill spiders and cause convulsions. It can cause cows to miscarry and contaminate their milk, as well as chicken eggs and honey. It can bring about death, killing entire herds of livestock simply by its presence.
Various substances that it can secrete or release are also said to have several properties. Its body poisons the plants it has come into contact with, and thus those plants, when subsequently consumed, are fatal; if its urine comes into contact with the eye, it causes blindness. Thus, they are used to concoct various poisons and, conversely, to absorb poisonous substances or cure skin diseases. They are also used as an ingredient in aphrodisiac potions.
“Let us circle round the cauldron,
— Shakespeare, *Macbeth*
And cast in the poisoned entrails.
Toad, who, beneath the cold stone,
Slept for thirty-one days and thirty-one nights,
You who have simmered in your venom,
Be the first to boil in the enchanted pot.”
Shakespeare, Macbeth
Thus, during the witch hunts, the presence of a toad near a suspect was considered proof of her guilt. Furthermore, it is said that every witch possesses a toad-shaped mark hidden on their body—the devil’s mark received when they made a pact with him.
The Toads’ Sabbath
Toads take part in the Witches’ Sabbath. They go there dressed in green and red, with a bell around their necks, and are baptized by the devil with a kiss on the mouth.
Witches’ Ingredient
While the toad is a familiar of witches, the frog, on the other hand, is used by them solely for their potions and spells. One such spell involves placing the tongue of a live frog on a woman’s heart during the night, which makes her speak in her sleep and reveal all her secrets. As for love potions, a bone from the left side of the frog (the oponicum), steeped in wine and placed in a genital organ, is a very powerful aphrodisiac. It is also said among the Greeks that this bone can be used to boil water and to calm even the most rabid dogs.
Other Popular Beliefs
Wandering Souls
In Sicily, legend has it that toads are wandering souls, condemned to this form as punishment for their sins.
Symbol of lust
In certain depictions of Hell, the Church portrays the toad as a symbol of female lust, shown perched on the breasts and genitals of those who have succumbed to this deadly sin.
Fairy Tales
Fairy tales often feature a frog or toad as the result of a transformation. Often, this is a prince who has fallen victim to a witch’s curse. He has no choice but to find a young woman and convince her to kiss him.
This is a difficult task, given how unappealing it looks and the fear that amphibians inspire—for some people, even just touching one is a challenge.
References
Literature: The Frog Fairy (H. Carnoy), The Benevolent Frog (M.-C. d’Aulnoy), The Frog Prince or The King’s Daughter and the Frog (The Brothers Grimm)
Manga and Anime: Naruto (M. Kishimoto)
Animated Films: The Princess and the Frog (Disney), Chiiro’s Journey (H. Miyazaki)
Video Games: Chrono Trigger (Squaresoft)
External links (fr): The Unloved Character in Folktales and Legends (Géo), Totem Animal (Totem Animal Guide)
Images: Image 1 and Image 4 (Pixabay), Image 2 and Image 3 (Wikipedia)
Dernière modification le 24/06/2026.
