Basic Introduction to Dutch Windmills
People often refer to the Netherlands as the “Country of Windmills.” Dutch windmills (Netherlandish windmills) evoke a fairy-tale world of mystery, with their rotating and curving structures that seem still yet full of movement. They are an embodiment of stillness in motion, motion within stillness, a perfect blend of both, inspiring endless imagination. They symbolize charm, legend, and eternity…
Product Features
Since the 20th century, due to the development of steam engines, internal combustion engines, and turbines, the ancient windmills, which relied on wind power, seemed to fade into obscurity and were nearly forgotten. However, because windmills harness natural wind energy, they have no pollution or risk of depletion. As such, not only have they been continuously used by the Dutch people, but they have also become a source of renewable energy, captivating people's attention.
Today, there are approximately two thousand different types of windmills scattered throughout the Netherlands. The Dutch people cherish their windmills and often praise them in folk songs and proverbs. Windmill buildings are always decorated beautifully. During major festivals, they are adorned with garlands, national flags, and paper cutouts of suns and stars.
History and Folklore
There is a landscape feature that quietly stands on the horizon; when seen from afar, it seems like something out of a fairy tale. Once you see it, you cannot forget it, nor can you forget the country it represents: these are the windmills, the windmills of the Netherlands.
Although the Netherlands is now a modern country, it has surprisingly not lost its old traditions. The windmill, a symbol of Dutch culture, continues to faithfully operate in various corners of the country. During its heyday hundreds of years ago, there were nearly ten thousand windmills in the Netherlands. However, the emergence of other mechanical devices, such as steam engines, internal combustion engines, and electric motors, led to the decline of these windmills, leaving around a thousand still standing today. The Dutch people are grateful for the role windmills played in their development, hence they designated the second Saturday in May as “Windmill Day.” On this day, all the windmills across the country turn together in celebration. Because windmills are now rare sights, the Dutch, like tourists from around the world, must visit windmill villages or windmill museums to catch a glimpse of these iconic structures.