Sprite (fantasy)
For other uses, see sprite (disambiguation).
The term sprite is a general term referring to a number of legendary creatures. The term may be used in reference to both elf-like creatures, including fairies and other similar creatures, and to spirits, including both ghosts and spiritual beings. The term is chiefly used in regards to European folklore. The word sprite is from 'spiritus' (spirit). Also called Spright or Spriggan (Celtic).
The belief in elf-like creatures remains predominantly within Scandinavian countries and within Neopagan movements such as "Druidry" and Ásatrú. The belief in ghosts and other spirits is found almost everywhere in the world. The belief that sprites do not exist at all is associated with Occam's razor, empiricism, atheism, and ontology.
Classes of Sprites
Elves (Elfs)
Air Elves- Sylphs
Earth Elves- Gnomes
Also known as Hammerlinge and Kaukis.
- Brownies (Bergmaennlein, Bockle, Bodachs, Brown Man, Bwbachod, Bwca, Chin-Chin Kobakama, Choa Phum Phi, Domonvoi, Fenodoree, Heinzelmännchen, House Brownie, Hütchen, Little Man, Nis, Niägruisar, Phynnodderee, Pwca, Tomte, Tomtra, Yumboes)
- Church Grims (Kyrkogrims)
- Pixies (Pickers, Pigseys, Pisgies, Piskies, Urchins)
- Goblins (Bauchans, Blobs, Bogans, Boggarts, Bogeys, Boggans, Bogies, Boogies, Boogey Men, Bug-A-Boos, Bugbears, Buggane, Gobelins, Gobs, Hobbers, Hobgoblins, Padfoots)
- Pooka (Glashtyn, Phooka, Phouka)
- Leprechauns
- Gremlins
- Erdluitles (Duckfoots)
- Dwarfs (Dark Elves, Dwarves, and Gommes)
- Knockers (Berg-Mönche, Black Dwarf, Coblynau, Hausschmiedlein, Miester-Zwuergen, Mine Goblin)
- Kobolds
- Klabauters (Klabautermannikin, Kaboutermannikin)
- Poltersprites
Fire Elves- Salamanders
Water Elves- Undines
- Mermaids
- Sirens
- Selkies (Seal-Maids)
- Mari-Morgans
- Morgans
- Fluvial Mermaids
- Ondinas
- Náiades
- Fossegrim
- Akkruva
- Sacien
- Roussalkas
- Vodianoi
- Fenettes (Water Sorceress, Macroles d’Ainer, Marluzene, Blanquettes)
- Wivres (Vouivres, Wouivres, Guivres)
- Kelpies
- Näcken
- Water Nymphs
Spirits
- Phantoms
- Poltergeists
- Spectres
- Ghosts
- Fanfrelons
External links
- Fae Dictionary (http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/tigris/567/id51.htm)
- Swedish Myths (http://www.morion.com/morion/wood/beings.html)
- MSN: Groups: HOROSCOPECHAT: MythologyBoard: Fairies and their lore: Elves and Fairies (http://groups.msn.com/HOROSCOPESCHAT/mythology.msnw?action=get_message&mview=1&ID_Message=9512&CType=0&CDir=-1)
- Youkaimura: Discussion Board: Topic: European Youkai (http://hushicho.captainn.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=youdisc;action=display;num=1090879925) (Youkai is a Japanese umbrella term for sprites, demons, and monsters. Mura is Japanese for villiage.)