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Himmelsbrief ("heaven's letter") is a name for religious documents said to have been written by God or a divine agent.
Jacob, the organizer of the Crusade of the Shepherds held one while preaching which was allegedly given by the Virgin Mary.
In the Pennsylvania German community, they are part of Pow-wow tradition and contained Bible verses and other charms and assurances that their owners would be protected from death, injury, and other misfortune. The text of these letters was occasionally reminiscent of some contemporary chain letters. Pow-wow practitioners charged handsome sums for these magical letters; the price they commanded depended on the reputation of the practitioner. However, some traditions call for it to be given free of charge.
- The Roman ancile, Mars' shield said to have fallen from the sky.
- Chain Letter Evolution,
- Hans Günther Bickert / Norbert Nail: „Es stand ein Wirtshaus an der Lahn…“ Der alte Gasthof zum Schützenpfuhl in Marburg. Mit einem Beitrag über „Himmelsbriefe“. Marburg 2008 (Marburger Stadtschriften zur Geschichte und Kultur; 90). ISBN 978-3-923820-90-0