Tradition / Region: Belgian Mythology
Alternative names: –
Category: Horse
The Myth
Girlegei is a mischievous spirit from Flemish folklore that was said to haunt the heathlands between Koekelare and Moere.
The creature was a shapeshifter capable of taking many forms. People most often encountered it as a horse, a cat, or a dog. In these disguises, it would appear at night and block the path of travelers, preventing them from continuing their journey.
According to tradition, the spell could only be broken by striking the creature or by reciting the Gospel of Saint John. When confronted in this way, Girlegei would flee into the air while laughing and repeatedly crying, “Girlegei, Girlegei!”
Sources
Abe van der Veen. (2014, July 8). Van aardmannetje tot zwarte juffer: Een lijst van Nederlandse en Vlaamse elfen en geesten. Abe de Verteller. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://abedeverteller.nl/van-aardmannetje-tot-zwarte-juffer-een-lijst-van-nederlandse-en-vlaamse-elfen-en-geesten/