Korrigan

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In Breton folklore, a Korrigan is a fairy or dwarf-like spirit. The word means (Korr dwarf, ig is a diminutive and the suffix an is an hypocoristic) "small-dwarf".

Korrigans have beautiful hair and red flashing eyes. They are sometimes described as important princesses or druidesses who were opposed to Christianity when the Apostles came to convert Brittany. They hate priests, churches, and especially the Virgin Mary. They can predict the future, change shape, and move at lightning speed. Like sirens and mermaids, they sing and comb their long hair, and they haunt fountains and wells. They have the power of making men fall in love with them, but they then kill the ones who do. In many popular tales, they are eager to deceive the imprudent mortals who see them dancing or looking after a treasure, and fond of stealing human children, substituting them with changelings. On the night of 31st October (All Souls' Night), they are said to be lurking near dolmens, waiting for victims.

According to the Breton poem, Ar-Rannou, there are 9 korrigan or korrigen, "who dance, with flowers in their hair, and robes of white wool, around the fountain, by the light of the full moon."^[1]

Korrigans are also characters in the Book of the Stars trilogy by Erik L'Homme. In the books they are described as wizened dwarf-like creatures with cats' paws fond of playing pranks on humans.

[edit] See also

• Goblin
• Leprechaun
• Pixie
• Lilith
• Lamia (mythology)

[edit] References

1. ^ Keightley, 2000:420-422.

• Keightley, Thomas (1870). The Fairy Mythology, Illustrative of the Romance and Superstition of Various Countries, chapter "Lord Nann and the Korrigan".
• Keightley, Thomas (reprint edition 2000) The World of Fairies, Elves, and Other Little People, pp 420-422.