Difference between revisions of "Goblin" - New World Encyclopedia
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A '''goblin''' is a creature of [[Germany|Germanic]] and [[Great Britian|British]] [[folklore]], often believed to be the evil or merely mishecivous opposite of the more benevolent [[faeries]] and [[spirits]] of lore. Like many such creatures, there is no single version of a goblin; the term is more generic for thos small creatures that live in dark places and cause trouble, but in more recent years the term has become more concentrated on green-creatures that live in caves and terrorize children. | A '''goblin''' is a creature of [[Germany|Germanic]] and [[Great Britian|British]] [[folklore]], often believed to be the evil or merely mishecivous opposite of the more benevolent [[faeries]] and [[spirits]] of lore. Like many such creatures, there is no single version of a goblin; the term is more generic for thos small creatures that live in dark places and cause trouble, but in more recent years the term has become more concentrated on green-creatures that live in caves and terrorize children. | ||
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==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
| − | One of the most popular origin stories for Goblins states that they orginated in France, in a cleft of the [[Pyrenees]], but left at some point in history, spreading throughout all of Europe.<ref>Lindemans, Micha F. (1997) [[http://www.pantheon.org/articles/g/goblin.html"Goblins"]] Retrieved July 2, 2007</ref> | + | There is no general consensus on the origin of Goblin myths. Since they are similar to faeries on other spirits of Europe, it is possible that they share a similar origin. Many scholars believe that such creatures came out of an interest in [[Pagan]]s and their mysticism, especially their belief in nature and magic. Goblins could possibly come from the belief that along with virtuous pagans, were evil ones that became evil spirits. Sir Walter Scott in his ''[[Letters on Demonology and witchcraft]]'' ascribed gnomes, kobolds and goblins, along with Scottish ''bogles'' to all correspond with a caricature of the [[Sami people]]. |
| − | + | While from a folkloric perspective the origin may not be known, there were mythological origin tales: One of the most popular origin stories for Goblins states that they orginated in France, in a cleft of the [[Pyrenees]], but left at some point in history, spreading throughout all of Europe.<ref>Lindemans, Micha F. (1997) [[http://www.pantheon.org/articles/g/goblin.html"Goblins"]] Retrieved July 2, 2007</ref> | |
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==Cultural Variations== | ==Cultural Variations== | ||
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A '''Red Cap''' or '''Redcap,''' also known as a ''powrie'' or ''dunter'', is a type of malevolent murderous [[goblin]], [[elf]] or [[fairy]] found in [[British folklore]]. They inhabit ruined castles found along the border between [[England]] and [[Scotland]]. Redcaps are said to murder travelers who stray into their homes and dye their hats with their victims' blood (from which they get their name).<ref>K. M. Briggs, ''The Fairies in English Tradition and Literature'', p 57 University of Chicago Press, London, 1967</ref> Indeed, redcaps must kill regularly, for if the blood staining their hats dries out, they die. Redcaps are very fast in spite of the heavy iron pikes they wield and the iron-shod boots they wear. Outrunning the buck-toothed little daemons is quite impossible; the only way to escape one is to quote a passage from the [[Bible]]. They lose a tooth on hearing it, which they leave behind. | A '''Red Cap''' or '''Redcap,''' also known as a ''powrie'' or ''dunter'', is a type of malevolent murderous [[goblin]], [[elf]] or [[fairy]] found in [[British folklore]]. They inhabit ruined castles found along the border between [[England]] and [[Scotland]]. Redcaps are said to murder travelers who stray into their homes and dye their hats with their victims' blood (from which they get their name).<ref>K. M. Briggs, ''The Fairies in English Tradition and Literature'', p 57 University of Chicago Press, London, 1967</ref> Indeed, redcaps must kill regularly, for if the blood staining their hats dries out, they die. Redcaps are very fast in spite of the heavy iron pikes they wield and the iron-shod boots they wear. Outrunning the buck-toothed little daemons is quite impossible; the only way to escape one is to quote a passage from the [[Bible]]. They lose a tooth on hearing it, which they leave behind. | ||
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[[Image:Hermitagecastle1814.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Hermitage Castle in 1814.]] | [[Image:Hermitagecastle1814.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Hermitage Castle in 1814.]] | ||
The most infamous redcap of all was Robin Redcap. As the familiar of Lord [[William de Soulis]], Robin wreaked much harm and ruin in the lands of his master's dwelling, [[Hermitage Castle]]. Men were murdered, women cruelly abused, and [[Occultism|dark arts]] were practiced. So much infamy and blasphemy was said to have been committed at Hermitage Castle that the great stone keep was thought to be sinking under a great weight of sin, as though the very ground wanted to hide it from the sight of God. | The most infamous redcap of all was Robin Redcap. As the familiar of Lord [[William de Soulis]], Robin wreaked much harm and ruin in the lands of his master's dwelling, [[Hermitage Castle]]. Men were murdered, women cruelly abused, and [[Occultism|dark arts]] were practiced. So much infamy and blasphemy was said to have been committed at Hermitage Castle that the great stone keep was thought to be sinking under a great weight of sin, as though the very ground wanted to hide it from the sight of God. | ||
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===Kallikantzaros=== | ===Kallikantzaros=== | ||
| − | A '''Kallikantzaros''' (Καλλικάντζαρος) pl. ''Kallikantzaroi'' is a malevolent [[goblin]] in [[Greeks|Greek]] and [[Cypriot]] folk [[tradition]]. They dwell underground but come to the surface from 25 December to 6 January (from the winter solstice for a fortnight during which time the sun ceases its seasonal movement). Its name is possibly derived from "''kalos-kentauros'', or "beautiful centaur.".<ref name="Ginzburg 1991">{{cite book |last= Ginzburg |first= Carlo |title= Ecstasies: Deciphering the Witches Sabbath|year= 1991|publisher= Univeristy of Chicago Press|location= Chicago|isbn= 0226296938}}</ref> | + | A '''Kallikantzaros''' (Καλλικάντζαρος) pl. ''Kallikantzaroi'' is a malevolent [[goblin]] in [[Greeks|Greek]] and [[Cypriot]] folk [[tradition]]. They dwell underground but come to the surface from 25 December to 6 January (from the winter solstice for a fortnight during which time the sun ceases its seasonal movement). Its name is possibly derived from "''kalos-kentauros'', or "beautiful centaur.".<ref name="Ginzburg 1991">{{cite book |last= Ginzburg |first= Carlo |title= Ecstasies: Deciphering the Witches Sabbath|year= 1991|publisher= Univeristy of Chicago Press|location= Chicago|isbn= 0226296938}}</ref> It is believed that Kallikantzaroi stay underground sawing the [[World tree]], so that it will collapse, along with [[Earth]].<ref name="Ginzburg 1991"/>However, when they are about to saw the final part, [[Christmas]] dawns and they are able to come to surface. They forget the Tree and come to bring trouble to mortals. Finally, on the [[Epiphany (Christian)|Epiphany]] (6 January), the sun starts moving again, and they must go underground again to continue their sawing. They see that during their absence the [[World tree]] has healed itself, so they must start working all over again. This happens every year. |
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| − | It is believed that Kallikantzaroi stay underground sawing the [[World tree]], so that it will collapse, along with [[Earth]].<ref name="Ginzburg 1991"/>However, when they are about to saw the final part, [[Christmas]] dawns and they are able to come to surface. They forget the Tree and come to bring trouble to mortals. | ||
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| − | Finally, on the [[Epiphany (Christian)|Epiphany]] (6 January), the sun starts moving again, and they must go underground again to continue their sawing. They see that during their absence the [[World tree]] has healed itself, so they must start working all over again. This happens every year. | ||
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The Kallikantzaroi are creatures of the night. There were ways people could protect themselves during the days when the Kallikantzaroi were loose. They could leave a [[colander]] on their doorstep: if a Kallikantzaros approached for his evildoings, he would instead decide to sit and count the holes until the sun rose and he was forced to hide. The Kallikantzaroi also could not count above 2, since [[3 (number)|3]] is a holy number, and by pronouncing it, they would kill themselves. Another method of protection is to leave the fire burning in the fireplace all night so that they cannot enter through there. | The Kallikantzaroi are creatures of the night. There were ways people could protect themselves during the days when the Kallikantzaroi were loose. They could leave a [[colander]] on their doorstep: if a Kallikantzaros approached for his evildoings, he would instead decide to sit and count the holes until the sun rose and he was forced to hide. The Kallikantzaroi also could not count above 2, since [[3 (number)|3]] is a holy number, and by pronouncing it, they would kill themselves. Another method of protection is to leave the fire burning in the fireplace all night so that they cannot enter through there. | ||
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In [[Greek language|Greek]] ''Kallikantzaros'' is also used for every short, ugly and usually mischievous being. If not used for the abovementioned creatures, it seems to express the collective sense for the Irish word [[leprechaun]] and the English words [[gnome]] and [[goblin]]. | In [[Greek language|Greek]] ''Kallikantzaros'' is also used for every short, ugly and usually mischievous being. If not used for the abovementioned creatures, it seems to express the collective sense for the Irish word [[leprechaun]] and the English words [[gnome]] and [[goblin]]. | ||
===Kobold=== | ===Kobold=== | ||
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| + | Kobold is the [[german language|German]] word for goblin, and the german version is very similar to the Redcaps of England. They are said to haunt mines and underground places, are mischevious and play tricks. Sometimes they are bound to one particular household to haunt, while other times they are allowed to roam freely. | ||
== Goblins in literature == | == Goblins in literature == | ||
Revision as of 16:11, 3 July 2007
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A goblin is a creature of Germanic and British folklore, often believed to be the evil or merely mishecivous opposite of the more benevolent faeries and spirits of lore. Like many such creatures, there is no single version of a goblin; the term is more generic for thos small creatures that live in dark places and cause trouble, but in more recent years the term has become more concentrated on green-creatures that live in caves and terrorize children.
Description
Goblins are grotesque fairies that can be from dwarf to human height. Various (sometimes conflicting) abilities and attributes have been given to them. Some accounts claim they are mostly invisible to human eye, and thus act as phantoms. However, even in traditions where they are invisibile, it is still widely known (although how remains mysterious) what they look like underneath their invisibility. They are usually believed to be shorter than human beings, roughly 2 meters in height; depending upon the source they can either be stout or thin; their brow is fully covered with thick hair and their mouth is filled with yellowed, crooked teeth. Goblins are often depicted possessing a coarse raspy sounding and slightly high-pitched voice, can speak human languages along with their own, and possess a cunning intellect. In recent depictions Goblins have been portrayed as green in color, but this is a modern tradition.
Many characteristics have been attributed to the generic term of goblin. In some cultures, they are more tricksters, who steal horses to ride at night, hide small objects, tip over pails of milk, and alter signposts, much like the pixies of Great Britian. Some believe that goblins are more malevolent, weaving nightmares out of gossamer and inserting them into the ear of a sleeping human, stealing human women and children and hiding them away underground, or even stealing human babies and replacing them with ugly goblin babies (changelings). A goblin smile curdles blood and a laugh sours milk and causes fruit to fall from trees. Both kinds are often believed to be nomadic, never staying too long in one place.
Etymology
According to some traditions, goblin comes from Gob or Ghob, the king of the gnomes, whose inferiors were called Ghob-lings. However, according to "The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English" the name is probably derived from the Anglo-French gobelin (medieval Latin gobelinus), which is probably a diminutive of Gobel, a name related to the word kobold. Goblin is also related to the French lutin.
A group of goblins is referred to as a horde. Female goblins are referred to as "hags" or "crones"
Origin
There is no general consensus on the origin of Goblin myths. Since they are similar to faeries on other spirits of Europe, it is possible that they share a similar origin. Many scholars believe that such creatures came out of an interest in Pagans and their mysticism, especially their belief in nature and magic. Goblins could possibly come from the belief that along with virtuous pagans, were evil ones that became evil spirits. Sir Walter Scott in his Letters on Demonology and witchcraft ascribed gnomes, kobolds and goblins, along with Scottish bogles to all correspond with a caricature of the Sami people. While from a folkloric perspective the origin may not be known, there were mythological origin tales: One of the most popular origin stories for Goblins states that they orginated in France, in a cleft of the Pyrenees, but left at some point in history, spreading throughout all of Europe.[1]
Cultural Variations
Redcap
A Red Cap or Redcap, also known as a powrie or dunter, is a type of malevolent murderous goblin, elf or fairy found in British folklore. They inhabit ruined castles found along the border between England and Scotland. Redcaps are said to murder travelers who stray into their homes and dye their hats with their victims' blood (from which they get their name).[2] Indeed, redcaps must kill regularly, for if the blood staining their hats dries out, they die. Redcaps are very fast in spite of the heavy iron pikes they wield and the iron-shod boots they wear. Outrunning the buck-toothed little daemons is quite impossible; the only way to escape one is to quote a passage from the Bible. They lose a tooth on hearing it, which they leave behind.
The most infamous redcap of all was Robin Redcap. As the familiar of Lord William de Soulis, Robin wreaked much harm and ruin in the lands of his master's dwelling, Hermitage Castle. Men were murdered, women cruelly abused, and dark arts were practiced. So much infamy and blasphemy was said to have been committed at Hermitage Castle that the great stone keep was thought to be sinking under a great weight of sin, as though the very ground wanted to hide it from the sight of God.
Yet Soulis, for all the evil he wrought, met a very horrible end: he was taken to the Nine Stane Rigg, a circle of stones hard by the castle, and there he was wrapped in lead and boiled to death in a great cauldron.[3]
Kallikantzaros
A Kallikantzaros (Καλλικάντζαρος) pl. Kallikantzaroi is a malevolent goblin in Greek and Cypriot folk tradition. They dwell underground but come to the surface from 25 December to 6 January (from the winter solstice for a fortnight during which time the sun ceases its seasonal movement). Its name is possibly derived from "kalos-kentauros, or "beautiful centaur.".[4] It is believed that Kallikantzaroi stay underground sawing the World tree, so that it will collapse, along with Earth.[4]However, when they are about to saw the final part, Christmas dawns and they are able to come to surface. They forget the Tree and come to bring trouble to mortals. Finally, on the Epiphany (6 January), the sun starts moving again, and they must go underground again to continue their sawing. They see that during their absence the World tree has healed itself, so they must start working all over again. This happens every year.
The Kallikantzaroi are creatures of the night. There were ways people could protect themselves during the days when the Kallikantzaroi were loose. They could leave a colander on their doorstep: if a Kallikantzaros approached for his evildoings, he would instead decide to sit and count the holes until the sun rose and he was forced to hide. The Kallikantzaroi also could not count above 2, since 3 is a holy number, and by pronouncing it, they would kill themselves. Another method of protection is to leave the fire burning in the fireplace all night so that they cannot enter through there.
In Greek Kallikantzaros is also used for every short, ugly and usually mischievous being. If not used for the abovementioned creatures, it seems to express the collective sense for the Irish word leprechaun and the English words gnome and goblin.
Kobold
Kobold is the German word for goblin, and the german version is very similar to the Redcaps of England. They are said to haunt mines and underground places, are mischevious and play tricks. Sometimes they are bound to one particular household to haunt, while other times they are allowed to roam freely.
Goblins in literature
Due to the generic implications of their name, goblins have been used in numerous different types of literature for many years. Some of the earliest Fairy Tales, including The Goblin and the Huckster by Hans Christian Andersen (1853), The Benevolent Goblin by Gesta Romanorum, and The Goblin of Adachigahara (Japanese) are just a few fairy tales depicting goblins, as well as numerous stories of the Brothers Grimm. Victorian poet Christina Rossetti in her poem Goblin Market, used goblins as symbols of earthly desires who tantalize and nearly destroy a girl who falls under their spell. Author George MacDonald, in The Princess and the Goblin, portrayed goblins as malevolent, subterranean creatures. The book is said to have been a childhood favorite of J. R. R. Tolkien, who populated his Middle-earth with goblins, which he later called Orcs.
Other more recent books that feature goblins are: The Book of Wonder (1912) (The Hoard of the Gibbelins) by Edward Plunkett (18th Baron Dunsany), The Brownies and the Goblins (1915), Outside Over There by Maurice Sendak, Rainbow Goblins, The White Goblin, The Revenge of the Shadow King by Derek Benz and J.S. Lewis
Pop Culture
Numerous role-playing fantasy games incorporate goblins, following the traditions of the inherently evil and malicious, with varying coloring and generally matted and filthy hair. This type of goblin appears in Dungeons & Dragons. The distinctive green-skinned, hairless, capricious, and generally amoral (rather than absolutely evil) goblins created for Warhammer are direct progenitors of goblins in more modern games, such as those in the Warcraft Universe or Magic: The Gathering.
In film and movies, goblins are sometimes given a different representation. In the Jim Henson film Labyrinth, Goblins figure prominently. Jareth the Goblin King, a powerful sorcerer (portrayed by David Bowie), commands a legion of foul, diminutive, largely incompetent creatures. In other animated fairy tales and more child-oriented programing, goblins once again become more mischevious than evil, although they are often still depicted as freightening.
Notes
- ↑ Lindemans, Micha F. (1997) ["Goblins"] Retrieved July 2, 2007
- ↑ K. M. Briggs, The Fairies in English Tradition and Literature, p 57 University of Chicago Press, London, 1967
- ↑ Mack, James Logan (1926). The Border Line Oliver & Boyd. Edinburgh.P. 146.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ginzburg, Carlo (1991). Ecstasies: Deciphering the Witches Sabbath. Chicago: Univeristy of Chicago Press. ISBN 0226296938.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, Hobgoblins, Brownies, Boogies, and Other Supernatural Creatures, "Redcap," p 339. ISBN 0-394-73467-X
Sources:
- British Goblins: Welsh Folk-lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions by Wirt Sikes
- Encyclopedia of Things That Never Were by Michael Page & Robert Ingpen
- The Complete Encyclopedia of Elves, Goblins, and Other Little Creatures by Pierre Dubois
- Goblins! and The Goblin Companion by Brain Froud
External link
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