In Bretonfolklore, a Korrigan (pronounced[kɔˈriːɡãn]) is a fairy or dwarf-like spirit. The word korrigan means in Breton "small-dwarf" (korr means dwarf, ig is a diminutive and the suffixan is a hypocoristic). It is closely related to the Cornish word korrik which means gnome. The name changes according to the place. Among the other names, there are korrig, korred, korrs, kores, couril, crion, goric,[1]kornandon, ozigan, nozigan, teuz, torrigan, viltañs, poulpikan, poulpiquet, and paotred ar sabad.[citation needed]
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-spritesedit
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 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.[3] 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 water 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 31 October (Samhain), they are said to be lurking near dolmens, waiting for victims.
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]
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.
Songsedit
Korrigan, CD "Tu es la" by the breton band STETRICE, www.stetrice.com
May 04, 2024
korrigan, other, uses, disambiguation, breton, folklore, pronounced, kɔˈriːɡãn, fairy, dwarf, like, spirit, word, korrigan, means, breton, small, dwarf, korr, means, dwarf, diminutive, suffix, hypocoristic, closely, related, cornish, word, korrik, which, means. For other uses see Korrigan disambiguation In Breton folklore a Korrigan pronounced kɔˈriːɡan is a fairy or dwarf like spirit The word korrigan means in Breton small dwarf korr means dwarf ig is a diminutive and the suffix an is a hypocoristic It is closely related to the Cornish word korrik which means gnome The name changes according to the place Among the other names there are korrig korred korrs kores couril crion goric 1 kornandon ozigan nozigan teuz torrigan viltans poulpikan poulpiquet and paotred ar sabad citation needed 19th century postcard showing Korrigans Contents 1 As fairies and dwarves 2 As siren water sprites 3 See also 4 References 5 SongsAs fairies and dwarves editThe term is used variously by writers on Breton folklore Theodore de Villemarque 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 editOther 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 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 3 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 water 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 31 October Samhain they are said to be lurking near dolmens waiting for victims According to the Breton poem Ar rannou 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 editBucca mythological creature Dwarf Enchanted Moura Goblin Lamia Lamia Basque mythology Vila fairy Leprechaun Lilith Pixie Treo FallReferences edit Theresa Bane Encyclopedia of Fairies in World Folklore and Mythology p205 2013 McFarland amp Company 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 editKorrigan CD Tu es la by the breton band STETRICE www stetrice com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Korrigan amp oldid 1214605620, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
