My favourite fairly tale is of the "sleeping hero", or "king under the mountain". This tale is found across Europe, with the often only the name of the King changed. For example it is usually Arthur in Britain and Frederick Barbarossa in Germany.

They go something like this...

A herdsmen finds his way under a mountain/hill or into a cave. From wherein he sees the legendary figure asleep (I'll use Arthur), the herdsmen notices that Arthur has grown an incredibly long beard reaching the floor (Arthur is either said to be lying down or sat on a table) ...

The herdsmen also sees Excalibur and a horn/bell beside him and that Arthur is accompanied by his knights (sometimes a whole army). One way or another Arthur is roused and asks the herdsmen "if it time?", (sometimes in the tale he asks if the ravens still circle the hill) ...

The herdsmen tells Arthur "no" to which he responds that it is not yet time for him to return and then the herdsmen runs away.

It is then said that in a time of great need, someone will blow the horn/ring the bell, waking Arthur and his Knights to save the nation from defeat.

The symbolism in this tale is very clear.

The mountain/cave/hill clearly represents the burial mound (womb). The sleeping (dead) hero, is the ancestor shown by his long beard. Excalibur (horse/armour/weapon in other tales) represents the possessions buried with the ancestor...

Used to help the initiate recognise 'himself'.

When the King asks if it time/or if the ravens circle the mountain it is the ancestor asking the initiate the 'password', to prove that he is worthy and the true descendant of the ancestor...

In the tale the herdsmen is shown to be unworthy, perhaps due to his timidness. And thus the ancestor goes back to sleep waiting for someone else to 'awake' him, give him the correct password and thus allow him to return (to be reborn).

Thanks for reading.