Tradition: French Mythology
Alternative Names: Yan-gant-y-tan
Category: Demon
The Myth
Yan-gant-y-tan is a strange demon that wanders through the countryside of Finistère at night. He carries five candles, one burning on each finger of his right hand, and spins them around like a flaming wheel.
Because of the candles, Yan-gant-y-tan cannot turn quickly while walking, since doing so might extinguish their flames. His appearance is sometimes described as that of a wiry old troll or a hairy wild man, but the five burning candles on his hand distinguish him from other creatures of this kind.
Encountering Yan-gant-y-tan is considered an evil omen, particularly for travelers journeying at night. One way of avoiding his bad omen is to leave a small bag of gold or a gold chain around a travelers’ post. Yan-gant-y-tan will take the offering and leave the house alone for another day.
Despite his reputation as a bad omen, Yan-gant-y-tan can also appear to travelers who have no light and give them five candles, allowing them to find their way through the night.
Sources
“Yan-gant-y-tan.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed September 9, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yan-gant-y-tan