Sprite (creature)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article is about the legendary or mythical sprite. For other uses of the word "sprite", see sprite.
The term sprite is a broad term referring to a number of preternatural legendary creatures. The term is generally used in reference to elf-like creatures, including fairies, dwarves, and the likes of it; but can also signify various spiritual beings, including ghosts. The term is chiefly used in regard to elves and fairies in European folklore, and in modern English is rarely used in reference to spirits or other mythical creatures. The word "sprite" is derived from the Latin "spiritus" (spirit). Variations on the term include "spright" (the origin of the adjective "sprightly", meaning "spirited" or "lively") and the Celtic "spriggan".
The belief in diminutive beings such as elves, fairies, pixies, gnomes, Japanese yōkai and various Slavic fairies has been common in many parts of the world, and might to some extent still be found within Neo spiritual and religious movements such as "Druidry" and Ásatrú. The belief in spiritual beings, particularly ghosts, is almost universal to human culture.
Famous fictional sprites include Shakespeare's Ariel and Puck, as well as Shadowcat, a character from the X-Men comic books. The Pink Power Ranger from Power Rangers: Mystic Force is empowered by the spirit of the Sprite and turns into the Mystic Sprite. In the Artemis Fowl series of books, Chix Verbil is a sprite that is wounded and rendered unable to fly by that injury, a bullet to the left wing.
Also in some elemental magics, the sprite is believed to be the Elemental of air.
[edit] Sprite Trap
A sprite trap is a magical device used to capture troublesome or harmful spirits and ghosts. These devices refer to a sprite as a preternatural creature.
The sprite trap is created from a blackthorn stave and copper wire that has never carried electricity. During a ritual process, the copper wire is bound to the stave with red thread and the stave is marked with a Dag (or D) rune.
Sprite traps are used at night, when the trap is set at the entrance to a home, church, graveyard, or other location where disturbances are taking place. To attract the troublesome entity, a cleft blackthorn stave with a lighted candle is placed in front of the trap.
After the sprite trap has captured a spirit, it is removed from the location and the red thread is cut with a consecrated knife; the thread is then placed into a prepared witch bottle. If the bottle has been prepared to imprison the spirit, a spell is recited while the thread is placed in it. Finally, the bottle is corked and sealed with red wax before being buried. A thorn bush will be planted on the site.
It is said that if a witch's bottle containing a spirit is opened, a very angry spirit will escape.
[edit] Sprites in Popular Culture
- In Power Rangers Mystic Force, the Pink Ranger turns into the Sprite Titan. This is based upon MagiFairy, the Majin form of MagiPink in Mahō Sentai Magiranger
- In Harvest Moon, it was possible to have 7 sprites help around the farm.
