Mythology

Marie-Morgane

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Tradition: French Mythology
Alternative Names: Morgane, Morganed, Morganezed
Category: Mermaid

The Myth

The Marie-Morgane are beautiful female water fairies who live beneath the sea along the coast of Brittany, particularly around the shores of Ouessant and Finistère. They are described as small men and women who inhabit a magnificent underwater kingdom ruled by a king whose palace is said to surpass anything found upon the land. The Marie-Morgane themselves are extraordinarily beautiful and sometimes come ashore at night to play upon the beaches beneath the moon. Their appearances are fleeting: at the slightest blink, they can vanish completely. Although naturally peaceful and benevolent, they are also capable of deceiving humans, appearing in seductive forms to lure men into the water and carry them away to their underwater realm.

The Marie-Morgane are particularly dangerous to young fishermen and sailors. They are said to pursue young men with their romantic attentions, and any man who gives in to their advances may be drawn beneath the waves and never return. They dwell especially near the Breton coast, around caves, river mouths, and other places where land and sea meet, and their underwater palaces can become eternal prisons for the lovers they abduct. In coastal communities, their presence could also explain a boat that failed to return: if relatives waited anxiously for fishermen who had not come home, people might say that a Marie-Morgane had held their vessel motionless offshore. Some Marie-Morgane were also believed capable of stirring up terrible storms, while others could calm the wind.

One of the most famous Marie-Morgane is Ahès-Dahut, the doomed daughter of King Gradlon. After the destruction and drowning of Ys, Dahut became a mermaid and remained beneath the sea, where she enchanted sailors and was associated with violent storms. According to the legend of Ys, Saint Guénolé once attempted to celebrate Mass for the drowned city after the waters had become calm. As he raised his chalice, the white torso of a girl with copper-colored hair rose from the sea, one arm reaching toward the heavens, while the rest of her body ended in a blue-scaled tail. It was Ahès-Dahut in her Marie-Morgane form. Guénolé’s hand trembled and the chalice fell onto the rocks, preventing the Mass from being completed and leaving Ys cursed. Whenever Dahut appears again, the sea is said to answer with a terrible storm. Another Breton tale tells of a mysterious girl discovered abandoned in a basket of reeds near Crozon. Raised by a noble couple, she repeatedly disappeared during the night and later vanished for weeks whenever a strange folgoat horse came to collect her. Eventually she never returned, and she was said to have gone to the cave of Crozon, where the Marie-Morgane were believed to dwell.

Sources

“Marie Morgane.” Wikipédia, l’encyclopédie libre (French Wikipedia). Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 4, 2026. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Morgane

Pixie

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Tradition: English Mythology
Alternative Names: Pisky, Pixy, Pixi, Pizkie, Piskie, Pigsie
Category: Fairy

The Myth

Pixies were small, mischievous supernatural beings of British folklore, particularly associated with the moorlands, hills, ancient stones and remote countryside of Cornwall and Devon. They were generally described as short, childlike creatures who enjoyed dancing, wrestling and playing outdoors through the night. They were also closely connected with ancient places such as stone circles, barrows, dolmens, ringforts and standing stones, where they were believed to dwell beneath the earth. Traditional pixies were often poorly dressed or wrapped in ragged clothing, quite different from the green clothes and pointed hats later given to them in popular imagery. They were usually friendly towards people who treated them well, but could also play tricks, mislead travellers and punish those who neglected or offended them.

The pixies of Dartmoor were particularly famous for their tricks and their relationship with horses. They could disguise themselves as bundles of rags to lure children, while at night they rode Dartmoor ponies for pleasure and sometimes tangled their manes into mysterious knots. They could also help humans, especially people in need, with household work and other tasks. Yet travellers who encountered them risked becoming “pixy-led,” wandering away from the path after being confused by the spirits. A traditional way of breaking this enchantment was to turn one’s coat inside out. Pixies could also reward kindness and consideration with good fortune, while neglecting them could bring trouble.

Many local legends preserve the playful and mysterious nature of the pixies. At Trevose Head in Cornwall, hundreds were said to gather in a circle to dance and laugh until one named Omfra lost his laugh. He searched through the ancient barrows of Cornwall and crossed the waters of Dozmary Pool before King Arthur, appearing in the form of a chough, restored it to him. Other traditions tell of pixies inhabiting caves and hidden places, fighting with fairies, helping widows, or occasionally leading people astray. They were sometimes believed to have a connection with human beings or to represent an ancient race of small people, while other traditions treated them as supernatural spirits. Whatever their origin, the pixies remained deeply tied to the wild landscapes of Cornwall and Devon, appearing as playful helpers one moment and troublesome spirits the next.

Sources

“Pixie.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 4, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixie

Fairy Maiden of Pentrevoelas

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Tradition: Welsh Mythology
Alternative Names: Fairy Maiden, Fairy Wife
Category: Fairy

The Myth

The Fairy Maiden of Pentrevoelas was a beautiful supernatural woman who appeared one misty morning to the son of Hafodgarreg while he was tending his father’s sheep on the hills. He found her sitting beside a peat-stack, weeping in great distress. The young shepherd approached her kindly and comforted her, and his sympathy soon turned into love. She returned his affection, but their conversation was interrupted when an old man appeared and called the maiden his daughter. She obeyed him and left with him, while the shepherd remained behind, hoping she would return. He came back to the same place day after day, but she did not appear. Eventually, however, the maiden herself returned from her enchanted land, having planned the visit because she loved the shepherd as deeply as he loved her.

Her father soon discovered the lovers together and confronted them. The shepherd boldly asked for permission to marry his daughter, and the old man asked the maiden whether she truly wished to marry a man of the human world. She said that she did. Her father therefore allowed the marriage, with one condition: she could remain with her husband only so long as he never struck her with iron. He also gave her a marriage portion consisting of a bag filled with bright money. The couple married and lived happily together for many years, having children and building a loving family. The promise seemed secure until one day they went onto the hills to catch two wild ponies that they intended to take to the festival of the saint of Capel Garmon.

The ponies repeatedly escaped, and the husband became increasingly frustrated as he chased them. At last, when they slipped away once more, he angrily threw his bridle after them. The iron bit struck his wife. The moment it touched her, both husband and wife understood that their marriage contract had been broken. Almost immediately, her aged father appeared with a host of fairies and took his daughter back to the enchanted land. She was not even given the chance to say farewell to her children. The money from her dowry and the children themselves remained with the shepherd, but his fairy wife was gone, leaving only these reminders of the woman he had loved and the family they had shared.

Sources

Owen, Elias. Welsh Folk-Lore: A Collection of the Folk-Tales and Legends of North Wales. London: Elliot Stock, 1896.

Kijimunā

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Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: Kijimunā, Sēma, Bunagaya
Category: Fairy

The Myth

Kijimunā are small elfin beings that live among the banyan trees of the Okinawan and wider Ryukyu Islands. They are about the height of a human child and have wild, thick, bright red hair and reddish skin. They wear skirts made from grass and move by hopping rather than walking. Although they retain a youthful, childlike appearance throughout their lives, adult males are described as having notably large testicles. Kijimunā live in family groups much like humans, marry, raise children, and sometimes even marry into human families.

They are skilled fishermen who live almost entirely on seafood. Kijimunā fish along the shores and are particularly talented divers, using their abilities to catch their favorite food: fish heads, especially those of the double-lined fusilier. They have an unusual fondness for fish eyes, with a preference for the left eye over the right, and Okinawans traditionally attribute fish washed ashore without their eyes to hungry Kijimunā. They have several strange dislikes as well. They hate chickens and cooking pots, are disgusted by people passing gas, and above all fear and despise octopuses, avoiding them whenever possible.

Kijimunā can be helpful toward humans, especially fishermen. They may help people catch fish or perform other useful services in exchange for a cooked meal. A friendship with one can last for an entire lifetime, with the Kijimunā returning repeatedly to visit its human friend and even spending holidays with the family. But their kindness can quickly turn to hatred if they are mistreated. Cutting down a banyan tree inhabited by a Kijimunā is one of the surest ways to provoke it. An angered Kijimunā may kill livestock, sabotage a fishing boat so that it sinks far out at sea, trap people inside hollow trees, press down upon sleeping people’s chests, or extinguish lights during the night. Once a Kijimunā has been made an enemy, its hatred is said to be impossible to overcome.

Sources

“Kijimunaa.” Yokai.com: The Japanese Yokai Encyclopedia. Accessed October 4, 2026. https://yokai.com/kijimunaa/

Gaiter Spirit

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Tradition: English Mythology
Alternative Names: Hyter-Spirits, Hayter-Spirits, Heather Sprites
Category: Fairy, Bird

The Myth

The Gaiter Spirits are small fairies of Lincolnshire and East Anglia, distinguished by their red hair and green eyes. They are able to transform themselves into birds, particularly martins, taking on the shape of ordinary birds while retaining their supernatural nature. Their strange ability allows them to move through the countryside in a form that hides their true identity.

The Gaiter Spirits are not simply malicious creatures. They are said to be grateful toward people who treat them well and can reward kindness, while those who behave badly may earn their displeasure. Their reputation therefore depends upon the character of the people who encounter them: generosity and good behavior can bring their favor, while cruelty or misconduct can lead to their condemnation.

The name appears in several forms, including Hyter-Spirits, Hayter-Spirits, and Heather Sprites. The surviving tradition also compares them with other British fairy beings, including the Scottish Ghillie Dhu, but the Gaiter Spirits remain particularly associated with the eastern English countryside and their remarkable ability to become birds.

Sources

“Gajterskie duhi.” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). Accessed October 4, 2026. https://www.bestiary.us/gajterskie-duhi

Bruni

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Tradition: Scottish Mythology
Alternative Names: Broonie, Broonie
Category: Fairy

The Myth

Bruni is a type of brownie from the Lowlands of Scotland. The creature belongs to the tradition of small supernatural household beings known for their association with human homes and domestic life.

The name Bruni is given as a variant spelling of Broonie, the original form of the name for this Lowland Scottish brownie. A traditional rhyme associated with the creature warns of its arrival: “Ha! Ha! Ha! Bruni will take you!” Beyond this brief reference, the surviving source provides no further details about Bruni’s appearance, behavior, or particular legends.

Sources

“Bruni.” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). Accessed October 4, 2026. https://www.bestiary.us/bruni

Dwarf of Sterpenich

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Tradition: Luxembourgish Mythology
Alternative Names: Das Wichtlein zu Sterpenich
Category: Dwarf

The Myth

The dwarf of Sterpenich was a mysterious little being who appeared before a cruel knight who lived at Sterpenich many centuries ago. The knight was feared throughout the surrounding country for his cruelty. One day, he ordered one of his serfs to travel to Metz, twelve hours away, and return with an answer before the end of the day. He threatened the man with severe punishment if he failed. The poor peasant immediately set off at full speed, desperately trying to cover the enormous distance within the time allowed.

Before he reached the village, however, a dwarf appeared to him beside the road. The little being was sitting in a carriage drawn by three white horses and offered to take the peasant to Metz and back. The man gladly accepted, and the strange carriage carried him over the great distance so quickly that he was able to return and deliver the required answer to his master before sunset. The knight was astonished and demanded to know how his servant had managed to travel so far in such a short time. The peasant honestly told him about the dwarf and his miraculous carriage, then added that the dwarf had said he would soon return with another carriage to take the knight to his final dwelling.

The knight was struck with terror at these words. He cried out, “Die – me?” and immediately collapsed. That evening, a hearse drawn by four black horses was seen leaving through the castle gate. The driver was the same mysterious dwarf, who had returned as promised—this time to carry away the dead knight of Sterpenich.

Sources

“Das Wichtlein von Sterpenich.” SAGEN.at – Traditionelle Sagen aus Luxemburg. Reproduced by SAGEN.at. https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/luxemburg/Wichtlein_Sterpenich.html

Obrigwabibikwa

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Tradition: Congo Mythology
Alternative Names: –
Category: Dwarf

The Myth

Obrigwabibikwa is a dwarf-like being of Mbuti mythology who possesses the supernatural ability to transform himself into a gigantic reptile. His small humanoid form contrasts sharply with the enormous reptilian shape he can assume.

The surviving description gives little further detail about his appearance, behavior, or the circumstances in which he transforms. His defining characteristic is therefore his ability to cross the boundary between a dwarf-like humanoid and a giant reptilian creature.

Sources

“Mbuti mythology.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 4, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbuti_mythology

Scarbo

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Tradition: French Mythology
Alternative Names: –
Category: Dwarf, Vampire,

The Myth

Scarbo is a vampiric dwarf who haunts the rooms of poets, artists, and writers during the night. He enters their chambers to torment them, creeping through the darkness with razor-sharp fangs. He bites his victim’s neck and then cauterizes the wound with one of his metal fingers, heated until it glows red. Throughout the night he clambers around the room, scratching at bedposts and rafters while whispering threats directly into his victim’s ears.

Scarbo delights in describing the fate he has prepared for those he torments. He speaks in detail of their burial shroud, the funeral he will arrange, and the grieving children who will weep after their death. As the moon rises, the dwarf becomes increasingly enormous, filling the room with his growing presence. He remains there throughout the night, terrorizing his victim until dawn approaches.

When morning nears, Scarbo begins to fade. His monstrous form flickers, turns blue and translucent, and finally disappears like a candle that has been snuffed out. His strange nocturnal presence became immortalized through the Gothic prose poem Gaspard de la Nuit and, later, Maurice Ravel’s famous piano composition of the same name, whose extraordinary difficulty mirrors the fiendish nature of the creature.

Sources

“Scarbo.” A Book of Creatures. March 25, 2015. https://abookofcreatures.com/2015/03/25/scarbo/

Bes

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Tradition: Egyptian mythology
Alternative Names: Bisu, Bes, Beset (feminine counterpart)
Category: Dwarf, Deity

The Myth

Bes was a dwarf-like protective deity associated with the household, especially with mothers, children, and childbirth. Unlike most Egyptian gods, who were normally portrayed in profile, Bes was characteristically shown facing directly forward. He had a distinctive dwarf-like body and could appear with feline features, an ostrich-feathered crown, or wearing a soldier’s tunic, giving him the appearance of a fierce little guardian ready to attack anything that threatened the household. His frightening appearance was itself part of his power, allowing him to scare away demons and other harmful spirits.

Bes watched over the home and protected people from supernatural dangers. He was particularly associated with childbirth, where he fought away evil spirits threatening mothers and infants and was present alongside Taweret. He could also kill snakes and guard children. Because he drove away everything harmful, Bes gradually became associated not only with protection but with the pleasant and joyful aspects of life, including music, dancing, and sexual pleasure. His image was therefore kept inside ordinary homes rather than being restricted to temples, appearing on amulets, masks, infant feeding bottles, magical knives, and other objects. People also wore images of Bes as tattoos, particularly dancers, musicians, and servant girls.

Bes and his feminine counterpart Beset were worshipped across a wide area beyond Egypt. Their images eventually spread into Nubia, the eastern Mediterranean, the Aegean world, Phoenician and Cypriot lands, and the Achaemenid Empire, where Bes continued to appear as a protective figure while sometimes being represented in foreign clothing and headdresses. During the Ptolemaic period, chambers at Saqqara were decorated with images of Bes and Beset and were associated with fertility and healing rituals. His protective role remained remarkably persistent, with Bes continuing to appear in Egyptian religious imagery into the Christian period.

Sources

“Bes.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 4, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bes