Tradition: French Mythology
Alternative Names: Korrigan, Korrig, Korrik, Korr, Poulpikan, Ozigan, Nozigan, Torrigan, Viltans
Category: Dwarf
The Myth
The Korrigans are small supernatural beings of Brittany, usually described as dwarfs or fairies. They are said to be beautiful yet dangerous creatures, with golden or shining hair and an enchanting appearance. Their homes are found around streams, springs, fountains, caves, and other wild places. Some are also said to live beneath the earth, guarding hidden treasures.
Korrigans are particularly active at night. Their golden hair is said to shine in the darkness, and when the moon is full they gather together to sing, dance, and play music. Their voices and songs are beautiful enough to enchant anyone who hears them. They dance in circles around their fountains and springs, sometimes inviting humans to join them. A person who approaches them, however, may find it difficult to escape their enchantment.
The Korrigans are not always hostile. They can be helpful toward people who treat them with respect, and they are known for possessing great knowledge of treasures, magic, and the hidden workings of the world. They may help humans who show them kindness, repair damaged tools, or reward someone who performs a service for them. But they are easily offended, and their anger can be dangerous.
They are especially protective of their homes and possessions. Korrigans are said to hide and guard treasures beneath the earth, and anyone who attempts to steal from them may suffer terrible consequences. Their mischievous nature also leads them to interfere with human households, causing disorder, playing tricks, and sometimes tangling people’s hair while they sleep.
Their beauty can conceal an even darker side. Korrigan women are said to lure men toward their fountains and springs, where the enchanted gatherings take place. Some men who encounter them fall desperately in love with them. The Korrigans may also appear in the form of beautiful women with long golden hair, making them particularly dangerous to travelers who encounter them at night.
The creatures are closely associated with music and dancing. At night, their singing and instruments can be heard in lonely places, while their dances continue beneath the moon. They may invite humans into their circles, but accepting the invitation can mean entering a supernatural world from which there is no easy return.
Korrigans are also said to possess the power to foresee the future. Their knowledge of hidden treasures and magical things makes them mysterious even among other supernatural beings. They belong to the wild places of Brittany, appearing around springs, streams, caves, and ancient underground places where the boundary between the human world and the world of the fairies seems thin.
Sources
“Korrigan.” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). Accessed October 4, 2026. https://www.bestiary.us/korrigan