Korrigan
In
As fairies and dwarves
The term is used variously by writers on Breton folklore. Théodore de Villemarqué in Barzaz Breiz uses the term interchangeably with "fairy" and distinguishes them from dwarves ("nains"). In contrast Walter Evans-Wentz in The Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries argued that in the mythology of Morbihan there is no clear distinction between korrigans and nains: "Very often corrigans regarded as nains, equally with all kinds of lutins, are believed to be evil spirits or demons condemned to live here on earth in a penitential state for an indefinite time."[2] They like to dance around fountains. However, they give themselves away when they cannot enumerate the full list of the days of the week (because of the sacredness of the full week).
As siren water-sprites
Other authors use the term only to refer to siren-like female fairies who inhabit springs and rivers, "lovely lustful golden-haired women who tried to lure men into their beds – and into a watery death".[3] These creatures are very beautiful when seen at dusk or night, but by day their eyes are red, their hair white, and their skin wrinkled; thus they try to avoid being seen by day.[4]
Korrigans have beautiful
According to the Breton poem "Ar rannoù", there are 9 korrigans, "who dance, with flowers in their hair, and robes of white wool, around the fountain, by the light of the full moon."[5]
See also
References
- ISBN 978-0-7864-7111-9
- ^ W. Y. Evans-Wentz, The Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries, p.212.
- ^ a b Patricia Monaghan, The encyclopedia of Celtic mythology and folklore, Infobase Publishing, 2004, p.275.
- ^ "The Fairy Mythology – Brittany". Archived from the original on 2017-02-04.
- ^ Keightley, 2000, pp. 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.
Songs
- Korrigan, CD "Tu es la" by the breton band STETRICE, www.stetrice.com