Leprechauns
The word "Leprechaun" comes from the Gaelic luacharma'n, meaning "pygmy"; or leith brogan, meaning "maker of one shoe". One of the things most commonly associated with Ireland, leprechauns are said to be small sprites or fairies who are dressed in old-fashioned clothing and speak in poetry. According to legends, they also make shoes for elves, but only one shoe and never a pair (hence "maker of one shoe"). One of the more popular beliefs about leprechauns is that they possess a treasure, usually in the form of a pot of gold, which a human may take if he can capture a leprechaun. However, you can't look away from a leprechaun once you've captured one or he will disappear.
The leprechaun is a fairly ancient belief of Irish folklore, but it started out quite different. The legend of the leprechaun is believed to have evolved over the years from Lugh, the Sun God of the ancient Celts. Lugh was a major deity to the Euro-Celts and the Indo - Europeans, being roughly as important to his worshippers as Christ is to Christians. He was also the patron of arts and crafts and leader of the Tuatha dé Danaan, and these myths eventually became simplified and popularized into the leprechaun. It was believe that long ago they would help humans and perform small favors for them, but they were eventually driven out by the Gaels. After that, the only contact they are said to have with humans is to cause mischief, like hiding things and turning milk sour.
There is also a Dutch version of the leprechaun called
the Kabouter.
He is erroneously called the " fairy shoemaker " but he is really an elf and not a fairy.
The elf family consists of not only the Brownies of Scotland and the Leprechans of Ireland, but the Trolls and Gnomes of Scandinavia, and the Pixies, Pookas, Knockers, Dulachans, Cluricanes, Red Caps and Bogles of the British Isles.
Source:
IrishClans.com
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