Mythological and fantasy creatures had always stirred the interest and curiosity of human

beings around the world. From the earliest of times human beings felt the need of creating
stories about strange beings with supernatural features. Although time had passed and
human kind is said to have broadened its mind and knowledge we must admit that we are still
drawn in some respects to folk-tales depicting mythological creatures.

The British Isles have a long tradition of tales of gods, heroes and marvels, hinting at a
mythology once as relevant to the races which settled the islands as the Greek and Roman
gods were to the classical world.

England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales are replete with ancient legends, myths so old their
origins are lost in the mists of time.

Ever since I started studying English as a foreign language I gradually came into contact with
English traditions, customs and beliefs. Along the years I figurred out that most English people
not necessarily people nowadays but people in the past, believed - as those from any other
nations or countries - in supernatural forces and characters. The English pantenon is full of all
sorts of characters and names, some more interesting than others, some more terrifying than
others, and most of them rather obscure and unknown. This is about those who ring a bell in
people's mind when they come across their names.

Such names as leprechauns, elves, fairies or pixies might have been heard by almost
everybody who was watching TV, as they appeared in a number of movies or cartoons. but
unfortunately, not many people know detailed facts about these creatures and some of them
can hardly make a difference between good and evil mythical creatures.

Dwarves, Elves and Leprechauns

Dwarves are beings that dwells in mountains and in the earth, and is associated with wisdom,
smithing, mining, and crafting. Dwarfs are also sometimes described as short and ugly,
although some scholars have questioned whether this is a later development stemming from
comical portrayals of the beings.

Elves were originally thought of as a race of divine or semi-divine beings endowed with
magical powers, which they use both for the benefit and the injury of mankind. In medieval
Norse mythology, they appear to have been divided into light elves and dark elves, difficult to
delineate from the sir (gods) on one hand and the dvergar (dwarves) on the other.
Leprechauns are types of fairy in Irish folklore, usually taking the form of an old man, clad in
a red or green coat, who enjoys partaking in mischief. The Leprechauns spend all their time
busily making shoes, and store away all their coins in a hidden pot of gold at the end of the
rainbow. If ever captured by a human, the Leprechaun has the magical power to grant three
wishes in exchange for their release. Popular depiction shows the Leprechaun as being no
taller than a small child, with a beard and hat, although they may originally have been
perceived as the tallest of the mound-dwellers.

Gnomes and Brownies

Gnomes are legendary creatures in English folklore and in modern fantasy fiction. Some see
them as a household deity or spirit that protects the home, looking after the entire household
or certain key members. It has been a common belief in pagan religions as well as in folklore
across many parts of the world. Their characteristics have been reinterpreted to suit the
needs of various story-tellers, they are typically said to be a small, humanoid creature that
lives underground.

A brownie/brounie or urisk (Lowland Scots) or brnaidh, ruisg, or gruagach (Scottish

Gaelic) is a legendary creature popular in folklore around Scotland and England (especially
the north, though more commonly hobs have this role). In folklore, a brownie is a type of hob,
similar to a hobgoblin. Brownies are said to inhabit houses and aid in tasks around the house.

Goblins, Bogeys and Trolls

These are three different looking species that share a common regard for humanity. They
dont like us, and want to cause as much trouble for us as possible. Goblins and Bogeys both
have the ability to become invisible, while Trolls can quickly sink into the ground or water
and thus become functionally undetectable.

Bogeys are the smallest of the three, ranging anywhere from a few inches to nearly two feet.
They like to live inside houses, often in cupboards, attics, etc. They are more annoying than
anything else, hiding things, causing food to spoil, that sort of thing.

Goblins are a little larger, usually one to three feet, but sometimes much larger or smaller. In
addition to working alone and carrying out activities virtually identical to Bogeys, Goblins can
gather in groups and perform more seriously destructive acts. Arson, theft, and even murder
is not unheard of. The most notable activity is the theft of babies whom are then genetically
modified so as to develop into goblins (called changelings).
Trolls are the most sinister of the bunch. They are usually six to twelve feet tall, covered in
thick skin and often scaly with horns. They usually live alone near bridges or crossroads and
will endeavor to eat lone travelers. With the advent of the automobile their effectiveness has
decreased markedly, but they still manage to munch on the odd backpacker. They can be
harmed with conventional weapons and are somewhat cowardly. If you have to walk alone,
make sure a big gun is visible and you are unlikely to be bothered.

Pixies and Fairies

Pixies (also Pixy, Pixi, Pizkie, Piskies and Pigsies as they are sometimes known in Cornwall)
are mythical creatures of folklore. They are usually depicted with pointed ears, and often
wearing a green outfit and pointed hat. Sometimes their eyes are described as being pointed
upwards at the temple ends. These, however, are Victorian Era conventions and not part of
the older mythology.

Pixies are said to be uncommonly beautiful, though there are some called pixies who have
distorted and strange appearances. The humble pixie is a very misunderstood creature. Often
confused with fairies, sprites and other creatures of the fae, they are in fact quite different. A
lot of this confusion is the fault of Disney, who use the terms fairy and pixie interchangeably.

A fairy (also faery, faerie, fay, fae) is a type of mythical being or legendary creature, a form of
spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural or preternatural. Fairies are generally
described as human in appearance and having magical powers.

The study of mythology is important for both individualistic and collective reasons. On an
individual level, mythology could teach moral or human truths, whereas on a collective level
mythology could be used to keep people in touch with their origins. Mythological stories could
then be used to teach children values such as hard work, diligence and obedience. Role models
are created through mythological figures. Also, the mythology of different cultures can serve
to teach the student about the values of that culture. This is particularly important in the
world today, since advancing technology and phenomena such as globalization has brought
foreign cultures much more frequently in touch with each other than was previously the case.
It is therefore important to study mythology for the values that it can teach both children and
adults, and also for understanding the heritage inherent in these stories.

Written by Maries Andrada, XI B